Position:Home>Performing Arts> Violin, has it lost its touch?

The violin isn't a difficult instrument to PLAY, but it can take a long time to achieve the beautiful and sweet tone that most people think of!. Of course, playing beautifully is what people mean when they say that the violin is a "very difficult instrument!."

I disagree with some of the people here, and I would be remiss in giving you good advice (i!.e!. thoughts that have made me a successful musician) if I did not give you my opinion!. also, I apologize to Lisa for directly responding to her suggestions!. Lisa, I'm not out to get you, but I must explain why I disagree, not to be contentious, but to offer an alternate perspective!. I'm giving this advice as a classically-trained professional violinist with almost 20 years of experience, as well as a violin dealer and reseller!. Oh, and I gig EVERY weekend!.

1!. I personally do not believe that there is anything wrong with buying a violin online or from a general music store, especially if you're just wanting to explore the instrument and see whether or not you want to stick with it!. I used to buy into the idea that I had to get the "best" (or most expensive) instrument I could, but you know what!? There is absolutely NO WAY that I would ever take an expensive instrument to most of my gigs!. And you know what else!? People don't care how much your instrument cost; they only care how well you can play it, and 95% of the sound is in the way you play it!. I play professionally on a violin worth $100 that I used to be embarrassed about, but again, no one cares, and the sound is all subjective, anyway!.

2!. While I agree that if you do get a private teacher, that you should get a good one, credentials really don't mean much!. Someone could be a graduate of Juilliard in violin performance, but absolutely SUCK as a teacher!. Instead, get some references from other beginners!. You need someone who is encouraging, someone who will bring out the musician in you, someone who is very effective as a teacher!. A violin teacher I once had taught an adult the piano, and his skills skyrocketed !. !. !. and you know what, she didn't even play the piano! If I were looking for a teacher, one of the main things I would try to find out is whether or not I like the way he/she plays, because that person will teach you to play like him/her!

3!. Don't buy the best possible instrument you can; buy the instrument you WANT!. I've played really inexpensive violins whose sounds I absolutely loved, and been bored with violins worth thousands of dollars more!.

4!. There's nothing wrong with a fiberglass bow, especially for beginners!. They are sturdy, and they get the job done!. I play with a bow that's worth less than most fiberglass bows, in fact!. Again, it's the player, not the instrument !. !. !. and again, I'm a player and a violin dealer!.

5!. Strings and rosin, the things that make your sound, are all subjective!. Try different strings if you want to change your sound, but it ultimately depends on how you want your violin to sound!. Hill or Pirastro strings may not be appropriate for your application!.

6!. I agree with cleaning the strings and the stick of the bow in terms of general maintenance!. You won't really wear anything out if you don't (maybe the strings), but leaving rosin on your tools may affect the sound they produce!.

7!. Yes, do not touch the horsehair!. The oil from your skin will produce spots in the hair that will not allow rosin to adhere to the hair as easily, causing disruptions in your tone!. At a gig, some kids touched my bow while I was eating, and I had to get the hair replaced (see why I don't bring expensive instruments to a gig!?)!.

I understand that what many people claim about the worth of your first instrument may make the violin seem cost-prohibitive right now, but that's exactly what I'm saying; it DOESN'T have to cost that much!. Get a $100 violin outfit (violin, bow, and case), and start messing around!. Now, I know that classical musicians are going to scoff at that suggestion (I would have scoffed at that advice myself years ago), but 1) you don't know whether or not you're going to like practicing enough to continue with it, and 2) you can create beautiful music on instruments that don't cost very much!. If your school has a string program, maybe you could find out whether or not they could loan a violin to you for a semester!. You could also rent one, but you'd probably be better off buying one!.

Anyway, was it worth it!? Well, I'm certainly thankful for the ability to play the violin, but I wasted a lot of time by taking the classical route!. If your goal is to play classical music, though, take that route!. You HAVE to make your practicing fun, though!. If you get a teacher and he/she sticks you on some boring piece that you don't want to play, take some time out and renew your passion for music by listening to something you DO want to play and work at playing it!. Listen to the music that inspires you, and gravitate towards that, keeping your ultimate goal in mind!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Oliver's answer is the best so far!. I disagree with it being unable to play more modern music!. I just went to a recital where a guy accompanied himself on violin while he sang!. It can play any genre of music!. If you have a solid classical background, you can do just about anything!.

Here are some very very strong suggestions of mine:

1) Don't buy online or from a general music store!.
2) Get a private teacher (learn his or her credentials first please)
3) Buy the best possible instrument you can!. I know its expensive (I play cello!.!.!.even more expensive)!.
4) Don't buy a fiberglass bow!.
5) Buy good strings and rosin (Hill or Pilastro!.!.!.contrary to popular belief, rosin does make a difference!.)
6) Clean the strings and the stick of the bow after every use
7) Do not touch the horse hair
8) Get a $20 metronome/tuner

The best thing to do right now is to listen to as much music as you can and read about it!. also, learn the set up of the violin (inside, outside, how it works!.) Knowing the mechanics of the instrument is very useful!.

I would recommend getting a teacher first and having him or her help you find an instrument!. Perhaps he/she can go with you to get it!.

If you're serious about it you'll want to budget at least $1,500-$2,000 dollars for buying everything you need!.
Rough breakdown:
Violin: $1,000
Bow: $300
Shoulder rest: $30
Strings: $100
Rosin:$10
Soft rags: $5
Spare bow (optional): $100
Extra strings (optional): $100
Case: $100
Music stand: $30

This is really rough but I think I got every major thing!. Then you'll also have to budget for buying music and lessons!.

It sounds really overwhelming, but its so unbelievably rewarding!. I'm not saying its easy!. Its NOT!. But its worth it!!!

Good luck!.

~LisaWww@QuestionHome@Com

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Violin is easy to learn!. If you find a private teacher they will help you!. There is special tape they can establish on a violin to place fingerings!. However, by your third or fourth year when you start taking music theory learning about key signatures, it can become difficult, as with any instrument (that is when I quit)!. I had a good time learning and can still play some things today, 8+ years since I quit!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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I myself play violin!. It is a great, well worth it instrument and really isn't that hard if you practice a little!. A really good way to start is either to use a Hal leonard violin lessons book or start yourself off with a Suzuki Method book!. They both are good methods!. To start you off with the basics of violin!.!.!.

A violin!.!.!.
The top brands of violin brands are Yamaha, which is very durable, good violin to start and some others are Cermona, Strunal, and Silver Creek!. If you want more on these just google their names!. One hint of advice NEVER BUY FROM EBAY!!!! It is always best to see it before you buy it, but if you are going to mail-order a violin or something http://www!.musiciansfriend!.com/ is a good site!

A Bow!.!.!.
The violin's bow is equally as important as the violin itself! A good starter bow that would be cheap is a fiber-glass bow, but a horse hair bow is much better!. A good brand for that is Glaesel Bows!. Great horse hair bow! Idf you want fiber-glass Glasser bows are good!

Rosin!.!.!.
Rosin is essential for getting your bow to make a sound!. Any rosin will work really, but the best type would probably be Hindersine Amber Rosin!. Rosin is just applied to the bow by rubbing!.

A case!.!.!.
Any case will work!. The rectangular ones provide better protection!.

I hope all of this information helps!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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well!.!.!.!.i hate to brake it to you but violin is one of the hardest instruments to learn! any professional can tell you that!
when you just start you dont want to spend that much money on a good violin!!!!!! just a simple one will do!
once u get more advanced then you should upgrade to a better one cuz the cheap ones rnt that cheap!
well you want to get private lessons the violin is not something u can learn your self b/c of whole and have steps and many different postions!!! it will take a few yeares to become really good and go past 3rd position!
you can play any music classical and rock!!!

any more questions!?
email me countrygal9119@yahoo!.comWww@QuestionHome@Com

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ive played the violin for about 7 years now and believe me, it is a huggeeee commitment

it might mean that youll have to miss going out with your friends on Friday to practice

it might mean that youll have to practice an hour a day

it might mean that youll have to forget about watching greys anatomy because u hav to practice

about the music style, unless you want to learn electric violin there's not much "up to date" music for the violin

it is a great instrument to learn though

the first 2 - 3 years are tough but after that its great funn

my emails oliverhendy91@yahoo!.com if u want to ask some questions


For the violin

I wouldn't reccomend a "factory made" violin like Yamaha or something made in china!. If you really are going to be commited to it then you should get a good at least 800 dollar violin to start off!. My mom teaches violin and students can develop such bad habits from using a poor violin!.

However, it depends on your commitment to the violin
If you are just going to tag along in a school orchestra, then get a yamaha

Where to get these violins!? Well!.!. depends where you live!. You can look for local violin dealers on the web!. If you tell me what town you live in i could help!. But im sure that youll be able to find a decent violin!.


For the bow!.!.!. Well, fiberglass isn't the same as a wooden bow!. Again!.!.!. if you're not going to be all that comminted, then get it!. But if you are going to stick with it, then get a good 250 dollar bow!.

Id be glad to help you find any of these!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Well I play the Viola which is like the violin, but no, learning is not that hard!. You should be better off with a private teacher or in the school orchestra!. But you could also teach yourself!. I recommend you buy String Explorer Book 1 because it teaches you step by step and its really easy to follow!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Violin is not an easy instrument to play to play but very rewarding and can be used to play many different kinds of music,Stephan Graphelli was my favourite but alas he's gone so now I enjoy John the Fiddler who also plays Other stringed instruments and Keyboards,Www@QuestionHome@Com

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surely i like to listen to the violin or any musical instrument ,now learning to play it is like having a piece of heaven in your own hands!.!.!.go for it!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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