Would like to learn how to play the violin, need some tips?
So I’m 19, and completely new to the world of classical music. Nevertheless, I’d like to learn to play the violin. What I need is: learn how to read notes, buy a violin, and learn to play it (of course).
But I’m afraid that I’m just too old and ignorant to learn to play.
But I’m afraid that I’m just too old and ignorant to learn to play.
1) Is it ok to buy a really cheap (low quality) violin just to learn how to play and then buy a better one once I’ve gotten better?
2) Is it a problem that I can’t read notes yet? Will they teach me at whatever school I go to? Or can I “homeschool” myself?
You’re never too old to learn. The notes are actually a cleft that’s used with TONS of instruments, its called the treble cleft. And at schools, they usually teach you if you’re in a program. With the violin, DON’T expect to be good within the first two years, i sounded horrible in my first, but i gradually got better. Yes, you should buy a cheap violin at first, full size because its the largest and unless your a midget the others are too small, and then if you like the violin and want to continue, upgrade! Always practice, and practice scales a lot too!
I don’t play violin so I wouldn’t know if it’s better to get a low quality violin then make your way up. I would think it would be wise to. A lot of people do that.
What do you mean by “school”? I recommend you get private lessons, your private teacher will teach you everything you need to know, starting with getting familiar with the instrument and learning how to read sheet music to advanced techniques. Don’t teach yourself. You’re ignorant of violin so you wouldn’t know where to start.
Don’t buy a violin from the internet, go to a violin shop and get one. Explain your situation.
You can invest in a low quality violin and begin yor learning process on it. It would be crazy to spend too much without knowing if that is what you want to learn.
As for reading notes, they teach that at whatever school you go to as long as their is a music class. Or, you can homeschool yourself just to fiddle around.
I learnt everything by myself so when I went to Berklee , I passed with flying colors and no one knew the difference. It dpends how dedicated you are. I used to practice 10 to 15 hours a day because I wanted to master the instrument.
Here is a good link for courses:
One last thought. Violin is not limited to Classical music. You can play country, jazz, pop etc…. The best violonist like Stephane Grappelli and Jean-Luc Ponty opened the doors as to waht can be played on the violin.
Learning the Guitar
You need a course of instruction.
The best way is with a private teacher
2nd would be class lessons
3rd regularly get together with other violin players
or if you absolutely will or can not do the above, Buy a book on how to play the violin and follow it religiously.
last would be to find some free online lessons and skip around in them doing what YOU think you want to do next.
One thing you are going to find, is that beginning violin music is usually designed for little kids. Try and find a Suzuki violin class
You’re far from too old to learn. My sister started the violin a bit older than you and is now second chair for a minor local orchestra. I started when I was 40 and play for pleasure.
I started with a $150 violin I found on sale at Sam Ash. It worked fine.
I now play an electric because I can hook it up with headphones at 2am and not disturb my neighbors.
I already knew how to read music, so I had a bit of a leg up.
If you are going to college, and it has a music department, you should be able to take lessons.
There are many of books for beginners that come with DVD’s that are very instructive.
I play for the sheer joy of it, and service my own instrument.
There are tons of online resources for voilinists.
I learned how to tune online, how to replace my bridge, strings and tailpiece online.
Playing the violin is a blast! Don’t let anything stop you!
1) Yes buy a cheap one but don’t go for the cheapest one available mainly because it sounds like you’re playing a screaming cat and also it gets out of tune easily. Once you are more skilled upgrade to more expensive one of maybe even older one. The old violins always are better and have a nicer tone – most professional players own one.
2) It’s not too hard to learn the notes but you need to also learn where to place your fingers on the violin to make those notes. To help you as a beginner, use stickers as markers. It’s not easy to teach it yourself so I would not advise it. It’s not also just the notes but the tempo and dynamics and lots of other stuff that you need to know in classical music anyway.
You are NEVER too old to learn.19 is a good responsible age.
Hope this helped.
XD