Lessons for Violin

Now let’s take a step back: if no one learns how to play violin well without a teacher, then how did the first virtuoso violinist learn how to play so good?

At this point, I’ll presume you’ve had instruction for several years. You already know basic technique, you are holding the instrument and bow properly, you know where to contact strings and how to manage the tone. OK, then you don’t absolutely need a teacher.

Instead, go to ebay or to second hand book and media shops and look for violin instruction books and videos. Take them home and practice from them. If you get one that seems too difficult, then store it and try it again in a few months–you’ll have made progress. The important thing is for you to practice regularly–and don’t fail to work on your scales and arpeggios in addition to the exercises and techniques you find in your books and videos.

Now, you might find other opportunities. I used to attend a celtic music club where mostly fiddle players gathered in a violin shop and enjoyed reading through some reels and slip jigs–good instruction offered free by the shop co-owner. For cheaper private lessons, go to a local university music department and advertise on the bulletin board–you’ll likely hear from violin majors who are eager to pick up extra bucks. Or consider looking for community orchestras or bands that might take you.

Just as evidence of my credibility–I have had, in my life, four clarinet lessons, about 3 months of piano lessons, one mandolin lesson (from a brilliant teacher, never needed another!), and I was a flute major/french horn minor (with required private lessons) on the way to my music degree. At this point, I’ve performed publicly on over 100 different instruments, including exotic stuff like caval, tupan and shakuhachi–and I’m self-taught on the other 95+ of those instruments. So yes, you can learn and improve even if the HS manages your schedule like Larry Craig manages his private affairs…

Okay, they messed up your schedule, I’ve heard that a thousand times, I am a choir director for both middle and high school, and the Guidance dept. does this to my students too (or did) … if you want this class … and good for you for sticking with your music… you have to be your number one advocate… go in and talk to the people that make the schedules (and made the mistake!) and let them know this was a class that you want and that it is important to you. If you don’t get far enough, have you parent/guardian follow up with a phone call. They need to make a schedule work for students who want a class offered only once a day – that’s their job! It is not an easy job perhaps, but if you wanted Advanced Trigonometry they’d fall over themselves to figure it out. This approach really has worked for my students and in the long run the ones that did this have made it easier for others, because the scheduling department figured out that it was easier to get them there than have to reschedule them when they marched in the first week of school.
Also talk to the orchestra teacher and see if he/she has any help for you. And then you have made a contact with them too! Keep up the music. :0}

Hello again, someting else just occured to me, being that you play an orchestra instrument, if you live near a larger town, you may want to see if they have any youth symphonies. We live near Erie, PA which is by no means a huge metropolis, but they have two strong youth symphonies and other open town band/orchestras; this isn’t private lessons, but still gives you a weekly ensemble experience. Best of luck!

i say get private lessons, your own half decent instrument with dominant strings, and practice 5 days out the week at least.

i take violin with a private teacher and at school, i can see a huge difference than if i’d taken with the school…
the school kids have major problems…