I want to learn to play the violin?

Question

anyone know any good websites that will show me the finger placements and notes? I'm basically looking for something that will fall in the category "violin basics for idiots" ;P thanks

Answer 1

I am afraid I don't know any good websites myself as I have never needed them because I had always had an instructor until I was 18 years old, but I started very young, and the person was not a professional instructor or music teacher...just a wise family friend.

If you have a general idea of reading music, the notes go right in order as it starts on a staff. For example, if you bow the lowest string unstopped ("unstopped" means that you don't put your finger on it) you are playing a "G," and that is called the "G string." If you put your index finger on the G string about 2 or 3 centimeters away from the end, you'll play an A. Add the next finger approximately the same distance and you've a B. You can keep adding them and the notes are right in order...next is a C, D, E, F...etc.

However, you'll run out of fingers! Experienced players can play a E on the G string even though they've used their pinky for the D by moving out of "first position." This is done by simply moving your fingers away from the edge of the string (by this, I mean to move your fingers towards the body of the violin, away from the tuning pegs.).

I would really recommend an instructor if you don't have any previous experience in music because you need to have a good ear for recognizing if your note is sharp or flat (too high in pitch or too low in pitch, respectively). Having your finger stop the string the tiniest bit to either side can ruin the pitch! No book or website can teach you to recognize when your note is too sharp or too flat.

Also, no book or website can teach you to tune your instrument properly. The pitch of the strings is: G, D, A, and E. This spans more than one octave. Also, if you're familiar with music theory, you will notice that these are fifths apart. Fifths are fairly easy to tune, and you can do "double-stops" (bow two strings at once) to tell if it is properly tuned. The double-stop is very effective because it is easiest to tell if there is dissidence which means you don't have the neighboring strings properly tuned to fifths.

You should get a tuner to recognize the pitches if you don't know how to yet. Also, some beginning violinists will have the tuner on when they practice to see if they are getting proper pitches when the instructor isn't around to yell at them if they are too sharp or flat. The tuner tells them. I did not have a tuner until about two years ago. I seldom use it now because I have been taught to listen and recognize the pitches without one for so many years already, but they can be useful for you since I assume you are a beginner.

Before you get an instructor, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with reading notes and basic things such as that if you don't know yet. You shouldn't pay an instructor for something as that which you can learn on your own and save some money. The instructor will be extremely useful to help you with listening to pitches, familiarizing yourself with your violin, how to take care of it properly, tuning the strings to G, D, A, and E, helping or reinforcing your understanding of reading music, etc.

I am sorry that I have not recommended a good website, but you may be able to "Google" this or such. Some websites are not good though... I have read some very good books, but they weren't in English. Many music stores have good books or could at least inform you of how to find one. You should consider getting both beginners' lesson books (which have exercises for you to play) and a book that is for reading about stringed instruments. The best book I ever read for this topic was one which discussed how one should teach violin, viola, cello, and double bass. It was about the fundamentals of teaching all of stringed instruments. It was very helpful!

I am sorry I have not given you a website exactly as you requested, but I hope I have at least helped. I hope that you enjoy playing violin and wish you the best of luck in music!

Answer 2

Learn Violin From WorldClassViolinist : http://www.ViolinsLion.com/Always

Answer 3

Good luck...i play guitar and i tried to pick up the violin and it's pretty damn hard....it's like a backwards guitar...with no frets...it's just all f-ed up...it sounds beautiful when played properly though.

Answer 4

Take lessons or buy a beginners book.

Answer 5

no you don't!