learning to play violin?

Question

Is the violin an easy musical instrument to learn to play as I have always been fascinated by them but a bit scared of trying.

Answer 1

it takes time and committment- you have to want to do it and want to see it through!

As a viloinist, I can say the more you practice, the better you get, but equally, small breaks (a few days) between practices can bring you back a fresh and even better than before.

The first three or four grades are the cat-screaming stuff, after this you can feel better about the sound you make, after grade 6 your laughing (there are 8 grades in total). Its the noise of the violin before you are about grade4/5 that turns most people off, but persevear and it will get better- I can vouch for that!- people begin to listen to the whole piece your playing as oppose to interrupting with a loud "VERY GOOD, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING..." in the hope you will stop the noise and talk insted!

The initial bits- learning which strings which, where the fingers go, the correct position to stand...etc are alll big issues but soon fade to grey and you become accustomed to them really quickly. After 3 or 4 months you cannot remember what the problem was!

The best way to keep motivated to practice (at best every day for half an hour to an hour) (more if possible!) is to go to string orchestra or symphonic orchestra concerts (basically concerts with violins in) and to see if you -when you are ready- can join a beginners orchestra.

Get a good teacher, who has loads of experience and also work on the orchestra music with him/her, the violin is definatly not a self taught instrument, even virtuoes have tutors and it is the best way to stay learning- as no one ever has learnt everything! even vanessa mae has a tutor.

It has been said the violin is the single hardest instument to learn, but each to thier own I think!- I wouldnt find the trumpet easy for example as I have no desire to play the trumpet, but the violin I love to play so although its testing at times, its mastered by the desire to play it and get better at it. And the beauty of its sound.

I think the violin is like a strange friend, sometimes they p*ss you off and you never want to see them again, but you always relent and go back- othertimes its smooth sailing and things sound perfect!

Keep going -it will take years before you are ready and can brave the public, but the way you can join in with an orchestra, each violin playing the same parts to interlace with the other instruments? nothing beats it!

Answer 2

Yes, I believe so. My little brother is learning the violin and he hasn't had any difficulty with it since he started. I've also been thinking of learning the violin or the piano too.
I've been looking at music schools and music tutors in my local area.
It's only a matter of time before I make time to start lessons as well as pluck up the courage to go.
I'm also scared to try this but if you don't try, how will you know if you like it, you never know, it could lead to a new hobby or interest.

Answer 3

My youngest son has been playing since he was 6, through his own choice.I took him to concerts at a very young age, he asked to have a real violin and lessons.Now, age 10, he's going onto stage 2 exam.He's had his frustrations with the violin, but he sticks at it.It's not an instrument I would try and master.He's able to read music now, and has even composed a few tunes.I wish I could.He plays the piano too.Some kids just have the gift I guess.My son is lucky because the school teach the violin and we also pay for private lessons for him.It's not cheap, but I look on it as an investment into his future.He says he's like to be a music teacher....we shall see, kid's change their minds so often.If you fancy trying the violin, get a second hand one, it's what we did with my son.When he passed his grade one, we bought him a cool metallic blue one as a reward.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Well my young Sister, who is only just 9 years young.... can play the Violin real good now. That is after learning at School, for only about 45 minutes a week (that's for all the class, of around 30 Children..... don't forget) .. Therfore it should be easy... Albeit I still have no clue...lol
Good Luck

Answer 6

I started playing 4 years ago- I found it quite easy to pick up, but then I knew how to read music having played piano for a long time before.
As you get more advanced, it becomes more important to learn the proper techniques, and it always seems like you're doing something wrong.
But... once you get going and keep improving it is really satisfying, knowing you make a nice sound, and I would definitely recommend it- just be prepared for hard work if you are really serious about it.

Answer 7

Once you get used to the basics, learning how to play isn't hard, but actually playing music is. playing the violin beautifully takes A LOT of practice (then again so do other instruments), but it's very rewarding. my teacher has told me that the violin isn't a "sound" instrument. It's a "body" instrument. People enjoy the violin music more if they can feel and see the expression of the violinist. anywayz, i've just been rambling, but you shouldn't be scared of trying to learn. ^^ If you like it, then you like it, but if you don't, there are a whole lota other instruments to learn how to play. ^^

Answer 8

The violin is not an easy instrument to play. It is supposed to be the second most difficult to play -I believe the french horn is even more trickier.

It takes a lot of patience, time and practise - you need to practise and I reckon you have e to have been playing at least 6 months to get a decent tune.

Answer 9

i started to play the violin at primary school and got my grade 1 and 2 in a year having 2 lessons a week. Its easy to pick up but hard to master because theres so much to learn. I just wish id kept it up!!

Answer 10

You've had loads of good advice already - I thought J's answer was pretty comprehensive. All I want to add is, if you're an adult or older teenager you might want to check that any prospective teacher is used to teaching older/ more mature pupils. I didn't start to learn violin till I was in my late 20's. My first and second teachers (I was living in USA when I began playing and then returned to England) were absolutely ok about teaching an adult, but when I moved again to another part of england the teacher I then went to was only used to working with children and I think felt uncomfortable teaching me. I didn't continue lessons with her. Hope this helps.