Violinist Nicola Benedetti launches daily music lessons to help 'invigorate' people at home

Classical violinist Nicola Benedetti is launching daily music lessons to help “invigorate” people amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The Benedetti Foundation will be streaming music lessons on its Instagram and Facebook pages every week day from Monday - with the Scottish star hosting three seasons a week.

Prestigious and noted musicians who work for the Foundation, which helps deliver orchestral music workshops to children across the country and has worked with over 4,000 students and 700 teachers in the past 12 months, will be running the other sessions. Topics will include basic violin, rhythm games and percussion workshops, and practice tips for any budding musician on any instrument.

Benedetti, who also announced her latest album dedicated to the music of Edward Elgar, said she decided to launch the initiative to help people stay “optimistic” during isolation.

The 32-year-old star said: “During these unprecedented times, the re-creation of community, collectivity and structure is urgently needed and there is no better way than through the arts and music. Music is the art we can’t see or touch. It can lift us high into optimism and accompany us during feelings of hurt and pain.”

She added: “The making of music can be described as healing, invigorating, exhausting and all-consuming. It brings millions together through the basic act of listening and thousands together through the act of making melody, rhythm and harmony in the practice and service of collective expression.”

Benedetti said practicing an instrument at home could provide people, especially children, with a sense of routine.

She said daily practice was: “Taxing and requires daily routine. This is always excellent when life is a bit upside down.”