Im Trying to teach myself Violin..Any tips or suggestions appreciated!?

Question

Okay, i recently decided to act on my lifelong dream to learn how to play the violin. I purchased a violin (very cheap) and an instruction book off of ebay... but they dont really come with a manual on how to play or anything..... when i play it makes an icky scratching noise! any tips or how tos? including proper violin setup and... HOW DO I MAKE IT SOUND PRETTY??!!!!!

lol, thanks!

Answer 1

I've been playing the violin/fiddle for nearly 50 years. Yep. you sound like the cat is dying - you will for several months, too. It's part of why the violin is often called the Devil's instrument. It's also where the term "Fiddling around" or "Fiddle with it" comes from.

The best thing you can do to at least shorten this awful sound period is ask for some help. I'd first take a class at the local community college or adult ed center. Barring that, consider signing up for lessons at a good music store. Finally, the high school music teacher may be able to coach you. If you're lucky, there's a decent jam session at a pub or other meeting house where you may find someone willing/able to coach you.

Yes, this can mean paying for lessons/classes - but it's worth learning good habits from the start rather than having to un-learn/re-learn bad ones. Believe me, playing safely is important because after years of bad habits, you can end up with tendinitis or carpal tunnel in your hands and arms.

I live in WV and don't charge because there are so few people dedicated to the fiddle (violin is the same instrument - just a different attitude) that I'll help those who are dedicated enough to learn a difficult instrument.

Answer 2

Hi,

Yep! You got it! violins DO make a horrible 'scratchy' sound when you first play them. You want it to sound pretty (as will your neighbours) The answer is simple (yet requires lots of hard work...)

...all musical instruments need PRACTICE before they sound pretty. Once you have your instrument set up...this part should be fairly well explained in your 'how to' book...you need to practice every day. Set a time aside, as much as you can spare and use it to learn.

It isn't that hard to get a nice sound from a violin. The principle of the instrument is that you have four strings that, by pressing down with your left hand on to the 'fretboard' (though that's a guitar term, I suppose, as there are no 'frets' on a violin) will raise the pitch of the note played on that string, while drawing the bow across the string to vibrate it into making a musical sound. You can hear the intervals and it shouldn't take you too long to be able to play an accurate scale by moving your fingers to the appropriate place.

Then, you just need more practice. Practising each day is the only way you'll achieve your desires...a pretty sound.

Good luck, and keep practising!

Cheers,

BobSpain

Answer 3

Congratulations for taking a step to make one of your dreams come true. I hope, however, that you did not think you could pick up your violin and sound like a Maestro within a few weeks' time. You are in for a few more squawks before you have it straight.

I would advise a few lessons. This way you will learn posture and fingering and all sorts of other key things you need to know. You will learn about your strings and yoru bow and how to care for them. And you will learn the basics of playing.

Sounding pretty will take a few months with daily practice.

I would also advise a soundproof room!

Answer 4

try using the book Essential Elements $7.95 it comes with a DVD so you can see the physical positions that will help alot and if you have a local music store go there to to make sure its set up properly (but be sure they deal with violins even if not they should know about violins more than a beginner) and yes it takes lots of time and LOTS of practice ... you should have an electronic tuner make sure it is chromatic many will only help you tune guitars .... after getting about half way thru the first book try the Suzuki bk 1 and CD to play along (very good for tempo and teaching your fingers where to go ... and its fun) good luck but the most important is to find a teacher if you can afford one

Answer 5

Sorry to tell you but you will never learn to play the violin without instruction, perhaps the fiddle, but the violin No!

Answer 6

okay eat popcorn to keep ur fingers shiny n slippery.. 2nd dont force the music to come out.. it is simple like swan lake .. swing with the wind like a swan in water... try closing ur eyes while playing

Answer 7

http://www.learningviolin.com/
http://www.musicked.com/musicked/pages/software/instrument...olin-Lessons-Software.htm
http://www.learningviolin.com/faq.asp
http://www.freeviolinlessons.net/
http://www.violinonline.com/
http://www.violinmp3.com/learn-violin.html
http://www.cvls.com/
http://www.violinmasterclass.com/intonation.php
http://www.theviolinsite.com/
http://www.violinmp3.com/
http://musiced.about.com/od/violinlessons/Online_Violin_Lessons_for_Adults.htm
http://www.muzisyenlerkulubu.com/enstruman/violinmusic.htmlhttp://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/masterclass3/
http://www.43things.com/tag/violin
http://www.albertisviolins.com/
http://oleviolin.com/violin/eng/Index.htm
http://stores.ebay.com/Ratcliff-Violins_Free-S-H-Items_W0Q...Z1QQfsubZ13QQftidZ2QQtZkm