Violin Catching Up?

Question:Okay well, I started playing the violin when I was in third grade and I was really good. Then I quit in fifth grade because my teacher made me hate the violin. Now I want to start playing again, but I need to be caught up with everyone else so I can play in the High school orchestra.

Any suggestions other than lessons outside of school as to how I can get caught up with everyone else? Maybe like a site that teaches violin for free or something. (Don't worry I'm also starting lessons.)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Okay well, I started playing the violin when I was in third grade and I was really good. Then I quit in fifth grade because my teacher made me hate the violin. Now I want to start playing again, but I need to be caught up with everyone else so I can play in the High school orchestra.

Any suggestions other than lessons outside of school as to how I can get caught up with everyone else? Maybe like a site that teaches violin for free or something. (Don't worry I'm also starting lessons.)

I was in the same situation as you when I was younger, except that my parents sent me to private school in the fifth grade. Since the school didn't have violin classes, they returned my rental violin and I didn't play again until I re-entered public school in the 9th grade and I wanted to join the orchestra. You are in for a challenging road, but if you really want to do this, then it is possible. I started out last chair second violin in one of the better high school orchestras in our area. I ended up assistant concert master by senior year, was offerred scholarships to both colleges that I auditioned for (as a music ed. major), and spent nearly 13 years performing and teaching privately and in the public schools before resigning to stay at home with my two young children. (I recently began teaching privately again.)

My suggestions are as follows:
1. Be prepared to sometimes be frustrated, but determined not to be defeated.
2. Get a good theory book and study it. Your thorough understanding of basics such as half steps and whole steps, how scales are constructed (major, and the natural, harmonic, and melodic minors), and rhythm will save gobs of time. (I used to spend lots of time practicing something, and then would have to re-learn it after a lesson because I did not decipher a key or rhythm correctly.) Become familiar with the piano keyboard, as this 'visual aid' will be valuable in learning this information, enabling you to more quickly apply it to the violin.
3. Practice scales as if your life depends on it. Also, pay attention to any etudes your teacher gives you. I initially would spend lots of time on my pieces because they were more fun, and would rush through the other stuff. Real, obvious progress began when I began putting emphasis on the grunt work.
4. Practice at least 1 to 2 hours per day, but build up to it and aim for even mroe. Beg your teacher to be a stickler for good technique so that your increased practice schedule doesn't end up causing you pain. (I had a bout with tendonitis that required me to take 2 months off during my senior year. It was all due to poor technique - had to relearn that in college!)
5. Expect that you won't be able to keep up in orchestra initially. Learn tricks that will keep you participating without sitting there staring at the music while everyone else is whizzing through a Brandenburg Concerto or something. When I couldn't keep up with a 16th note passage, I'd at least play the first note of each beat - or of each measure if that's all I could keep up with. That way at least you are practicing following along in the music, and as you improve you will gradually contribute more notes. "Fake it 'til you make it," but fake it intelligently and purposefully.

I hope some of this helps. Best wishes to you in your musical endeavors.

With violin and other classical instruments, its hard to 'catch up' because it just takes time to develop good technique and musicality. There's no way to speed the process up. I would say, the only thing that can really help you improve at the rate you want to is just practicing and taking lessons. And I don't mean practicing for just like 30 minutes a day, I mean like 1-3 hours day. But be careful of overpracticing because you wouldn't want to end up hating violin again.

Also, I don't think you should use any sort of site that "teaches" violin, even with a teacher. These sites generalize technique rather than customizing, which is bad because every musician is different. Some techniques work better for some and not so good for others. Also, they don't teach you how to learn violin or any sort of musical phrasing.

Violin is a difficult instrument and you sound quite determined. Great! I think you are already on your way.

Lessons with a qualified teacher is the best start. PRACTICE is essential. Be prepared to practice for many hours each day, and more on week ends. You need to train your ears, your fingers, your arms, etc.

Meet with the High School orchestra director. Ask for tips -- what repertoire you should be working on, who is the best teacher for you, etc. Let him or her know of your dedication and goal (to join the orchestra).

Have fun playing.