How hard is it to play the violin?

Question

I've always wanted to play the violin, is it tough?

Answer 1

It is challenging to play the violin but that doesn't mean it is too hard. I always explain to my students that the difference between hard and challenge is attitude. If you think of something as being difficult, you are more likely to dislike it and to want to quit. However, if you think of it as challenge, you will try to take it on and think of it as something interesting.
I don't know how old you are but, it is usually easiest for older teens and adults to learn because they can master the dexterity required for the violin quickly, but I've had students of all ages.
You do not have to have musical talent. I didn't do well on the music test given to all 4th and 5th graders when I was a kid, but in 5th grade I was very determined to play an instrument and worked very hard at learning the violin. I improved a lot when I got a private teacher in 6th grade and by eighth grade was the concert mistress.
I've taught hundred's of students of varying talent or lack of talent and various ages- the oldest was 72 - to play the violin, viola and cello. If you can practice at least 3 times a week, you will learn. I would much rather teach the "untalented" student who works hard than the one with natural ability who never practices and does not love the instrument.
Here are some tips: buy the best violin you can afford - a better sounding instrument makes you sound better and that is encouraging. Get a private teacher if you can or at least take a group class (offered at some music stores or at school,) to help you get started. If you cannot afford a teacher and are going to try to teach yourself get this book: String Explorer book one. It has great pics, and explanations. The book also comes with a CD that will play most of the songs for you. You can also find some lessons on www.theviolinsite.com and www.8notes.com
The publisher is Alfred and the the book is fairly readily available in music stores and online.
I hope you will go for it! It is never too late to get started and I don't think that you will regret it!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Violin is not difficult at all if you put your mind to it. Playing the violin is as easy as 1,2,3 if you give it your all. I started playing the violin for two years, and have practiced almost every night. It seems difficult at first, especially when you see all of these amazing players, but you have to realize that they started out just like you. They were in the same position, wishing that they could be as great as someone else before them, as well. The violin is slightly more challenging as it requires a bow, but once you get the hang of it it's a breeze. Practice and try your absolute best, it doesn't matter if it's squeaky at first. Just know that you are putting your best effort into it. Be aware that there are people who do play very well. Make the skill level of those people your goal. Give it your all!

Answer 4

Learn Violin In 30 Days!

Answer 5

from my experience I have been playing the piano for 15 years I have only been playing the violin well it was kind of off and on for about three years with a violin teacher.I have started again since January I started to take violin lessons.The violin is hard but since I have a background in piano everything that I learn for violin is not that difficult i am not starting from scratch I have applied everything I have learned in my 15 years of piano to violin it really does help to have a background in a different instrument like piano it kind of is not so intimidating I always feel in learning something new in violin that can be really hard but not intimidating. I guess it is always best to start off on instrument that isn't so intimidating and develop fundamentals and skill in order to play the violin it would benefit so much.

Answer 6

I am a violinist for almost 9 years almost since you posted this question! I would say all the instruments are hard to play but violin is hard compared to some other instruments because your finger has to hit the exact spot to be in tune. I think it all depends on how much you practice because one of my friends has been playing for 6 years and I have been playing for 9 but she is way better than me. Violin is a tough instrument to play but if you practice enough it makes you improve faster and it wont be as hard.

Answer 7

It depends on how long you've been playing, how often you practise, how long a practise session is, what kind of experience you have and how good of an instrument you have, etc. If you want to be a professional in an orchestra with a good income, you need to practise at least five hours a day, get into good orchestras NOW so you'll have experience later, and get a good taste of the repertoire. Get a good teacher too. Violin is in a sense a more difficult instrument than other string instruments because there are TOO MANY violinists and not enough spaces in orchestras. If you have good technique on violin, try viola. It's much easier to be accepted into an orchestra and it's much less competitive. You still need to develop technique though.

Answer 8

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How hard is it to play the violin?
I've always wanted to play the violin, is it tough?

Answer 9

YES!
But in my opinion, when learning a musical instrument there are two kinds of difficult-
1) When you get so sick of it that you don't want to play, and just leave it in the case and really can't be bothered
2) When it's hard, but you keep playing and although you're exhausted both physically and mentally, you'd do it all again the next day...
The violin is a very difficult instrument to learn, that is why the best have had to spend their childhoods learning to master it.
It just takes longer to produce any decent sound than, say, a woodwind instrument....
But if you really want to learn it, then it won't neccesarily be "difficult" because you'll want to keep learning until you can produce that tone you're after.....
But with all that said, the violin is really the best instument of all- it's so diverse and can play anything, classical, pop, jazz.....i think more people should learn to play the violin

Answer 10

Playing the violin is totally dependant on what you wish to accomplish with it. Child prodigies begin lessons at about age 3-4 and continue lessons into high school. These students end up as soloists such as Sarah Chang, Hilary Hahn, or Itzak Perlman. For students that are not thrown into the world of violin playing at such an early age, there is the option of starting in elementary or middle school. This is undesirable for children with a solo career in mind, but still allows for an orchestral career. Students who begin after high school or in college still have a chance of becoming a professional musician, but these chances are not wonderful. Many adults enjoy violin playing as a hobby and as a way to relieve stress.

As for the difficulty of the instrument itself, the violin is known of as the "devil's instrument." This is not without reason, as accomplished violinists must master the most technique of any musician. The instrument can be bowed traditionally between the bridge and fingerboard, next to the bridge (which produces a whispery and harsh sound), or over the fingerboard (which produces a more muted sound). In addition to this, the strings may be plucked or hit with the stick of the bow, tip of bow, or slapped with the left hand. For true virtuosos, left-hand pizzicato is impressive. Some modern pieces require the violin to be used as a percussion instrument, where the performer taps on the body of the instrument or pulls strings and releases them so they strike the fingerboard (this is called a snap-pizz.). Aside from all the technique, the violin is nearly impossible to pick up and play from a dead stop. Beginner orchestras nearly always sound miserable compared with bands with the same amount of experience. This is due to the complexity of playing the instrument.

I have been perfoming with my viola (a larger and more sonorous instrument similar to the violin) for the last 8 years and am planning to audition for conservatories later this year. My brother is a violinist, and loves his instrument. My advice is that if you wish to play an instrument with character and flexability like no other, but are willing to work incredibly hard to attain the ability to perform with it. . . play!