Violin and/or viola tips?

Question

I am a twelve year old girl. I've played the violin for 4 years, and the viola for about 2 and a half. I really enjoy playing them for fun, but I dread practicing. I hate it. I usually do about 20 minutes on each maybe 4 days a week. Sounds 'hard', huh? Yeah, right. I am frustrated with myself that I don't like to practice. I know not many people like to, but still! If someone could give me some suggestions, I would really appreciate it.

Also, is there anyone on Yahoo Answers that is my age (12, or so) that plays either or both of those instruments? Will you contact me if you feel like it? I really enjoy meeting people my age with some of the same interests. (-:

Thanks for your help, everybody! Don't forget, 10 points goes to the person with the best answer, so make it good! Thank you again.

You don't have to be my age to answer this, but if anyone my age sees it and answers and wants to talk, do so! Also, to psyciatrist88: I used to play piano and violin, but when I started viola, it got to be too much. And my teacher stopped teaching, so that cliched it...

Answer 1

i play viola, and piano, so i know what it's like playing two instruments!
i am actually only a couple years older than you so we're kinda around the same age...i like viola enough to play it in college some...
hmm, practicing is always tough, but it becomes easier if it's a routine. i always start by playing a good warm up song (something you're good at and like) then do the scales and etudes and then the piece. if you're feeling lazy, i just skip to the hard parts and work on those couple measures, when you got the hard measures down, give yourself a 5 minute break and then do more

i hope that helps; it was one giant run-on, but yeah...

Answer 2

Hello,
I am a violin/viola teacher. It sounds like you are in a major rut. It happens to all of us. You are right that not many people enjoy practicing, but it usually helps if you have a goal to work toward, like a recital or performance. what helps me, also, is belonging to an orchestra or taking lessosn. It sounds like youare doing a fair amount of practicing. I mayself have never liked practicing, but I still managed to get into music school and now I have a college degree in violin and I am a professional musician and teacher. If it is something you really want to do, yuo will practice just to be able to play, if that makes any sense. Otherwise, you can still play for fun without being a "serious" musician. Good luck!

Answer 3

I play viola and piano and I'm a little older than you. What pieces are you playing for viola right now?
You could ask your teacher for some pieces you like, that usually motivated me a lot for piano.
What specific problems are you having? Like, do you like playing but just don't like practicing, or are you just 'not so great' at it?
Do you have any friends that play instruments? You guys could get together and play as an ensemble. It's really fun and helps you a lot.
I have helped a lot of people on their playing--I could give you some tips if you would like towards some stuff.
Hope this helps a bit.

Answer 4

No it doesn't sound crazy b/c I played when I was your age and then joined a symphony. I hated pratice with a passion! Even when I started to play well I still hated to practice. Just remember "practice makes perfect" Although now I do not play and I would do anything to play again and complain while I practiced! I miss it terribly. Sorry I am not a twelve year old but wish I was again! Good luck with the practicing.

Answer 5

I don't know anything about violins but someone on my street is a professional strings teacher he teaches his daughters my nextstore neighbor and lots of other people I know I probably didn't help you sorry.