June 22nd, 2009 1:11 pm
prima ballerina asked:
I am a 14 year old that plays the piano and the clarinet, and now I would like to start playing the violin. Will it be hard to play considering I am starting a little later? Will my previous musical background help me? Where can I find a violin and a teacher?
common folk tales
I am a 14 year old that plays the piano and the clarinet, and now I would like to start playing the violin. Will it be hard to play considering I am starting a little later? Will my previous musical background help me? Where can I find a violin and a teacher?
common folk tales
Tags: Clarinet, Folk Tales, Musical Background, Playing The Violin, Prima Ballerina, Rent
June 25, 2009 at 5:01 am
I started with a lot of musical background too, and i thought it was fine. It is ( in opinion ) one of the hardest if not the hardest instrument to master, as in be really really good. it will be a big change going to a string instrument though. I had already played guitar before i started, so my fingers were completely used to it. It also depends on the person. Some people won’t be able to get a nice sound out of it for quite a while after they pick it up. Somehow, I was able to right when I picked it up. It is like with piano, some people find it not very hard while others can’t learn it easily. Before i started, i had played piano, clarinet, flute, guitar, recorder, and done some singing. So, for me, it wasn’t that hard to start. The only thing that discouraged me a little is that i know a 14 year old girl who is extremely extremely good and is in 1st violin in the symphony orchestra. So, you will have to get used to seeing others that are much better at the same age or younger, but just remember that you will get there eventually. One thing that helps is having a good ear. With violin, there are no frets such as on a guitar. So, you always have to get each finger in the exact same spot and even if you lean your finger a little one direction, it is out of tune. Violins are not cheap either. I would suggest finding a place that will let you rent it and take the money that you payed in rent towards purchasing it if you choose. This is what I did and ended up buying it. The advantage is that you get to try out the specific instrument and know how you like it and most places that do that will let you try more than one violin out with renting per month. You will want the violin, the case, bow, rosin, and probably a shoulder rest. As far as finding a teacher, check around to find local music stores. Many offer lessons. With violin, it is much better to do private lessons rather than group lessons because you get more personal attention and you progress much much faster. If you can’t find a teacher through local music stores, try calling a local high school or college and see who their band teacher recommends. I only pay $10 for my private 1 hour lessons once a week, which is very cheap and is an unrealistic thing to expect. He is very good though and was the concert master for like 15 years. He is 94 though, so he wants people to learn rather than do it just for the money. Lessons will probably be around $20 or $30 dollars though if you get private ones.
hope i helped a little!
June 26, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I remember taking violin lessons, for me it was one of the hardest instruments I have ever tried to learn, but there again that was only my views.
I found my arms acheing badly after a short period, my violin teacher told me it was the way it was held as it had a chin grip fitted to take the weight and support the instrument, I gave a demonstration and she confirmed that I was infact playing the instrument correctly. My arms at the end of the session felt like dropping off and very painful.
I made a sound like a strangled cat as well, which did not improve things. I had sore fingers as well.
Violins are expensive and cheap ones are not much good as they go out of tune quickly, they can come unglued andthe strings can be hard on the fingers and difficult to play.
Prices can start from £95 and go up to over £30,000 !!!!
A good price is around £500….. you can try Ebay, but stick to good makes of good quallity, you are of course covered by the sale of goods act if you should get any problems.
You can go for refurbished models, and don’t forget the case prices start from about £140
Teachers: I would try your local papers, music college or directories like yellow pages prices from about £20 an hour.
Like the old adage, a craftsperson is only as good as the tools. Practice everyday and follow your favourite artistes and music. The more you put in the more you will ge out, and the money is good if you are going professional.
I hope this information is helpful to you and good luck.
MIK
June 29, 2009 at 3:01 am
The violin is always hard ; it doesn’t matter when you start. Just be patient as it takes most people about six months before they can get a decent sound out of it.
Your previous musical background will not help that much. The violin is nothing like the piano or clarinet.
Teacher : check with your local violin/music shop. They have often have lists of violin teachers.
Buying a violin : DO NOT BUY A VIOLIN FROM EBAY
Violins have to be set up correctly so that the pegs turn smoothly and the soundpost and bridge are in the correct position. Only buy your violin from a proper violin shop so that it is set up correctly. Do not buy it from a general music shop as they usually know nothing about violins.
A violin that is not set up correctly will be difficult to play and hard to tune.
A beginners outfit will cost about $200. This will include violin, bow, case, rosin and shoulder rest.
I would also suggest getting an electronic tuner for about $20.
If you do not have any violin shops near you then check out Shar Music . At least they know about violins and how to set them up :