My son just told me he wants to learn how to play the violin, where do I start?

Question

The park district only has programs for piano and guitar lessons. I have no idea how to being looking for a violin teacher or how much it will cost.

Answer 1

Go to the nearest jr high or high school just after school is over and ask to speak to the orchestra teacher. You don't say what age your child is, but they can probably hook you up with someone suited for your child's level and temperment.

Oh, yeah, and like the earlier answer, do buy earplugs. It is pretty discordant sounding for the first while, and if they are to advance in any reasonable time frame, should be practicing daily at least fifteen to thirty minutes.

Once they begin to play with some skill, what a wonderful talent to have! A portable lovely instrument that can be used for anything from classical to rockabilly! Once he gains some skill, you might want to take him to nursing homes for little performances. Their standards are not too high, they appreciate it, and gets him over the hurdle of performing in front of people.

How great that he is motivated to want to do this. There will be times he will lose interest, but if you set a goal like if he practices every day for 100 days, without prompting you will get him ______(fill in the blank with something that he wants). Once he gets 100 days under his belt, it will effectively be habit, and his skill will be such that he will want to continue.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

Check with the school's music program first. They may have free or discounted string lessons. A private tutor may cost $30-$100 a lesson. Beware that violins are gay.

Answer 3

Here are some resources to help you find a teacher:

FINDING TEACHERS (lists of teachers by states):
Teachers' Directory: http://www.geocities.com/techfiddle/teachers.html
Violinist.com: http://www.violinist.com/directory/
Suzuki Teachers' Directory: http://www.suzuki-violin.com/
Music Staff: http://www.musicstaff.com/search.asp
Violin World: http://www.violin-world.com/teacher/violin/
Music Teachers' List: http://www.teachlist.com/

Also see:
How to locate teachers and violin shops:
http://www.geocities.com/techfiddle/PedagogyTech.html#1

And for heaven's sake, don't go on ebay and buy some cheap violin. Fixing it so that it will be playable might cost you more than you plan to spend, initially. Alternatively, don't go to some local music store and spend several thousand dollars, either. Find a good teacher and consult with them.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You can try www.suzukiassociation.org to see if there's a Suzuki method teacher in your area. That's a worldwide music instruction method that has the option of group or individual lessons, so it might not be too expensive. Worth a look.

Answer 5

call your local college or university to see if they have any students or teachers that offer lessons for the violin. Consult the classifieds or yellow pages under music instruction.

Answer 6

Post an ad in college newspaper for a violin instructor. There are a lot college profs and /or students who would be interested in teaching kids. More than likely a student would do it for a small fee.

Answer 7

Call a local music store and see if they can refer you. You might also try a nearby college that has a music program and see if they know of anyone that does lessons.

Weigh the costs and take it from there.

Answer 8

does the school offer these classes?
my daughters instructor for the clarinet was a college student- because they are cheaper then we moved on to a music teacher
put an ad in the paper
or go to any music store(where instruments are sold) I'm sure they will be able to help

Answer 9

check the schools for a music teacher or look in phone book under strings, music lessons, good luck

Answer 10

take him to a music store to buy the Violin
you have to take him because they willwant to measure him
(that what they did for my son) ask them if they know people that give lesson they ussually do