Comments on: Is Having a Violin Teacher Really Necessary When Learning How to Play the Violin? http://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/ Learning to Play the Violin is Fun and Rewarding! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:07:29 +0000 hourly 1 By: cweigle1http://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-295 cweigle1 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:13:45 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-295 They teach you how to recognize when you are out of tune and the CORRECT finger positions. Just because it sounds and looks right doesn't mean it is. They teach you how to recognize when you are out of tune and the CORRECT finger positions. Just because it sounds and looks right doesn’t mean it is.

]]> By: drummer158http://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-294 drummer158 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:19:42 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-294 you may be holding the bow to tight to loose. not enough resin to much . To much pressure on the strings not enough. My father was a violinist for a philharmonic orchestra and I'll tell you ,that man was fussy . He wanted me to learn the violin but I broke my wrist and that ended that. A teacher can only show you then its up to you to learn and come back next week and play the score for him. I play drums , not rock but marching which is more difficult , and my instructors used to hand us a drum score and say,heres you music , next week know it by memory. Now if a mistake was made he showed us where and we corrected it. that is what an instructor is for. you may be holding the bow to tight to loose. not enough resin to much . To much pressure on the strings not enough. My father was a violinist for a philharmonic orchestra and I’ll tell you ,that man was fussy . He wanted me to learn the violin but I broke my wrist and that ended that. A teacher can only show you then its up to you to learn and come back next week and play the score for him. I play drums , not rock but marching which is more difficult , and my instructors used to hand us a drum score and say,heres you music , next week know it by memory. Now if a mistake was made he showed us where and we corrected it. that is what an instructor is for.

]]> By: loxias44http://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-293 loxias44 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:44:36 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-293 I'm a music teacher and I can tell you from first hand experience that a teacher will be necessary at some point. I picked up the violin a few years ago and have since dabbled a little bit. I've worked through some Suzuki books and various other methods books to learn some of the basic techniques, but I knew within minutes that while I could teach myself a lot (and remember, I have a very strong music background -- multiple degrees in music), there are some things that you just can't teach yourself. I’m a music teacher and I can tell you from first hand experience that a teacher will be necessary at some point. I picked up the violin a few years ago and have since dabbled a little bit. I’ve worked through some Suzuki books and various other methods books to learn some of the basic techniques, but I knew within minutes that while I could teach myself a lot (and remember, I have a very strong music background — multiple degrees in music), there are some things that you just can’t teach yourself.

]]> By: adagio58http://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-292 adagio58 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:13:39 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-292 First of all you might be playing incorrectly, elbow too high, wrong balance of stance, improper height of shoulder rest - usually you are not aware of what you are doing when you play so an outside observer can point out your errors immediately.Also, it may not sound like much but I think "bowing" is one thing a teacher can guide you through, and I mean the markings on the sheet music since not everything starts with a "down bow." In classical music bowing technique can become very intricate!If you just want to play the "fiddle" as an amateur then you could possibly work through the basics of violin playing on your own. However, if you want to play professionally you'd need a teacher to get you started on the right track and thus avoid all the pitfalls there are for beginners.The action of violin playing is one situation but the interpretation of music is quite another matter. If you are not familiar with the music then an experienced violinist can instruct you in how it's done, and this is invaluable guidance.A saying: "Oh, to see ourselves as others see us!" - wise advice from Robbie Burns. First of all you might be playing incorrectly, elbow too high, wrong balance of stance, improper height of shoulder rest – usually you are not aware of what you are doing when you play so an outside observer can point out your errors immediately.

Also, it may not sound like much but I think “bowing” is one thing a teacher can guide you through, and I mean the markings on the sheet music since not everything starts with a “down bow.” In classical music bowing technique can become very intricate!

If you just want to play the “fiddle” as an amateur then you could possibly work through the basics of violin playing on your own. However, if you want to play professionally you’d need a teacher to get you started on the right track and thus avoid all the pitfalls there are for beginners.

The action of violin playing is one situation but the interpretation of music is quite another matter. If you are not familiar with the music then an experienced violinist can instruct you in how it’s done, and this is invaluable guidance.

A saying: “Oh, to see ourselves as others see us!” – wise advice from Robbie Burns.

]]> By: suhwahaksaenghttp://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-291 suhwahaksaeng Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:40:14 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-291 More than any other instrument I've ever studied, the violin requires holding the instrument in a certain position and holding the bow in a certain position. Both arms, both wrists, and every finger has to be just exactly right.I would say that you can fly solo when it comes to learning to play the recorder, harmonica, or ocarina, but don't try it with the violin. More than any other instrument I’ve ever studied, the violin requires holding the instrument in a certain position and holding the bow in a certain position. Both arms, both wrists, and every finger has to be just exactly right.

I would say that you can fly solo when it comes to learning to play the recorder, harmonica, or ocarina, but don’t try it with the violin.

]]> By: Blockflötehttp://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-290 Blockflöte Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:57:48 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-290 A teacher is essential, even if you follow a book precisely you can never get the specific criticism a teacher can give you. Especially on an instrument like the violin where the sound is so important. Also a teacher can give you an alternative musical interpretation which is essential. A teacher is essential, even if you follow a book precisely you can never get the specific criticism a teacher can give you. Especially on an instrument like the violin where the sound is so important. Also a teacher can give you an alternative musical interpretation which is essential.

]]> By: chameleonhttp://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-289 chameleon Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:22:42 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-289 Yes of course. Hello? Yes of course. Hello?

]]> By: vr_cerberahttp://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-288 vr_cerbera Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:39:34 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-288 finding the notes, physical positioning, knowing how to do vibrato, then playing more than 1 note at a time, and getting rid of the eeking/scratching sound.A teacher is really good because they will correct you if you do something wrong and physically move you hand/finger/arm so you know what to do. But just reading a book or watching a video won't correct you. You have to read, try to imitate and do it yoruself. finding the notes, physical positioning, knowing how to do vibrato, then playing more than 1 note at a time, and getting rid of the eeking/scratching sound.

A teacher is really good because they will correct you if you do something wrong and physically move you hand/finger/arm so you know what to do. But just reading a book or watching a video won’t correct you. You have to read, try to imitate and do it yoruself.

]]> By: Kaylahttp://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-287 Kayla Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:20:56 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-287 lol. I suppose if you just want to learn how to play the violin poorly by yourself and possibly unknowinglyusing the bow and using the fingerboard incorrectly.Then sure you don't have to get a violin teacher to teach yourself playing the violin that way.There are a lot of things that a violin teacher can correct you and help you that you can't possibly do it by yourself. lol. I suppose if you just want to learn how to play the violin poorly by yourself and possibly unknowingly

using the bow and using the fingerboard incorrectly.

Then sure you don’t have to get a violin teacher to teach yourself playing the violin that way.

There are a lot of things that a violin teacher can correct you and help you that you can’t possibly do it by yourself.

]]> By: fingmeowhttp://lessons-for-violin.com/105/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/#comment-286 fingmeow Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:01:19 +0000 http://lessons-for-violin.com/classical/is-having-a-violin-teacher-really-necessary-when-learning-how-to-play-the-violin/105/#comment-286 The very fact that you have to ask the question shows that you can't think of everything that a teacher might possibly pass on to you. So, yes, a teacher is necessary - at least at some point if you want to get very good. The very fact that you have to ask the question shows that you can’t think of everything that a teacher might possibly pass on to you. So, yes, a teacher is necessary – at least at some point if you want to get very good.

]]>