Violin: On learning to Play at a Later Age Violin for Older Adults

Subject: About your website
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:31:23 +0100

Well my English is not very good perhaps to write here what I like to express; my name is Aurelio Moreno ( althogh I am writing this e.mal in the address of my wife Marita ) I am an artist -painter my self http://www.terra.es/personal2/aureliomoreno buy I always would have like to play violin since I was a child. I started last year with a privated teacher from Bulgaria. I will be 69 in February 04.

I did check out your website...Your paintings appear to be wonderful.

I started last year. Well when I play a few ours, I have pain in my left hand but even then I want to go on playing ( you now ? I think I have to hurry before I go infront of the Lord to learn at least a little )

I understand...and feel the same way about the violin. Out of all of the instruments I play, it's the one and only instrument I feel will always need work.

When I started all this I khew but nothing about reading music and my teacher was writing numbers on each note. Now I desided to go to conservatory and my class partners are about the age of my grand child. As bad as I play but now I am starting playing without the numbers and I am starting to know the notes by their names. I do regret that I did not strat all this before at the age of one year but I do not reget that I have start it now. It is so wonderful and I enjoy it so much. But am I doing here while I shout be playing my Bulgarian violin ? Well it is nice to coment this with you.

I'm glad to see you pursue other art forms. I believe it adds a new dimension to an artist's point of view. You may be surprised how it will influence your painting in a positive way...what is sound but color?...what is color but sound?

One thing I like to put clear, and it is that I do not mean to become a profesional violinist or even to play in any orchestrates, I want to have certain knowledge and ofcourse to enjoy it. And this is what I said to some one who came to my studio the other day; some one who is professional musician, when he said to me: Aurelio you have to stop this history of wanting to play the violin. You have to know -the man continued - thosethat play violin started at the age of 5 years, so better you stop now before it will hurt to you. I said to him that I appreciated his advice, but in not way was I going to stop playing my violin. And what do you think about this ?

I think that first, you will benefit in many other ways from playing the violin. Additionally, I cannot believe anyone would discourage another from taking up a musical instrument; age has nothing to do with the learning process. In fact, I believe earnestly that once I quit learning, I will lose my drive to get up in the morning. I have always loved the journey of learning...in fact, much more so than reaching the goal itself. Learning should be a lifelong process; learning is the end in itself. Once you've mastered what you're attempting to learn, where would the dive be to continue to play.

Please don't you too ask me to stop playing my violin, I do promise to play it where nobody hear me.

I encourage you to pursue the violin...you're younger than you realize. For, those who decide to quit learning, to me, have decided that they're too old. By taking up the violin, at what you consider a late stage, you've only confirmed that you will always be young in the spirit of learning.

Mickey

Subject: Re: Fwd: About your website
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 23:23:57 +0100

Greetings Aurelio,

Thank you very much Mr. Mickey for answering my letter and taking all the trouble as you have take and all that. I indeed thank it to you and appreciate it really.

You're most welcome...I only hope that I offered you some of the inspiration you deserve.

Some times we could exchange letters by this mean as good as it is Internet if you do not mind.

Don't mind at all...hope to stay in touch.

I will be pleased to let you know how my violin progresses going on and also is nice to hear from you, so long it is not trouble for you Mr. Mickey. For business maibe we are too far and by now I think that this violin can be enough, and since it is violin in what I am interested, well I am sure that it will last more than me.

Not a problem. I understand the distance...I'm only glad to see that you will stay inspired with your violin studies.

Today came my teacher to give me one lesson and she did put me to play Somewhere My Love ( Lara's Theme ) I play also Adagio and Allegro (from Serenade, Op 8 ) L. van BEETHOVEN also lilliburlero. Minuet in A of J.S. Bach and many other things. I say that I play while I mean "play "hahahaha but I enjoy the time while I am doing it.
Your website is really amaizing, I do not get tired of looking at it and I have send it to many of my friends. In fact, do you mind that I send your e.mail to my teacher and other friends.

Not at all. I appreciate your promotional efforts. And, it's great to see our site as so far-reaching.

Ah, ah I have a friend from my youth who is guitar concertista Paco Peña is his name; well he is quite famous. One day I did call him and tould that I was learning to play violin and that I was going to play it one day. Hahahahah he said to me: sure sure you will play it, you are quite stubborn.

God Bless to you and to your Family and have nice Christmas and play beautiful musics.

And, God Bless you. Hopefully, you and yours will also have a wonderful Christmas.

Please keep me abreast on your progress. Mickey

Aurelio

Subject: Violin for adults
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2004 01:48:29 +0000

Hi,

I'd really like to ask you a question.
i'm 15 years old , i love the violin and plan to learn it . can i learn it? i don't know because people told me that any one wants to learn violin has to start from the age of 6 or 5 is that real?
please answer me

It's never too late to learn...it's really up to your own ambition more so than at what age you start. I started back on violin in my middle 40's and am completely immersed in the effort to learn...you also should look at it as a journey to enjoy...not a destination that seems impossible to achieve. Enjoy the process...do not let others discourage you from learning to play with preconceived notions that have no real foundation of truth...

Mickey

Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 07:41:27 -0500
Subject: beginner

Hello Mickey,

I found your webpage, and the information available on learning to play the fiddle.

I have wanted to learn to play the fiddle for many years, but family, work and other responsibilities have taken precedence over my desire to learn.

I am now 55 years young and feel I have the time to pursue this desire.

However, I do have some questions. Can someone like myself, a little less flexible in the fingers than I use to be, still learn to fiddle for pleasure? I definitely have the desire, but do not want to be disappointed by my own lack of flexibility or dexterity because of my age. In other words, is learning to play the fiddle only for those much younger? I hope not, but wanted to ask someone who would know.

Thanks in advance, Tom Karaus

Greetings Tom,

I've gone through the same misgivings about learning to play violin...I started back only a few years ago and am now playing well enough to have finished my first Violin/Fiddle instructional video. I've had great fun learning and feel that there's no age limit to learning to play violin or fiddle. Yes, it took me a couple of years to feel comfortable enough to play a melody to my liking...even so, I've enjoyed the journey...and that's the main objective: enjoy the journey; the destination will come.

I believe the flexibility will come with the mind to hand coordination development...it goes back to the old adage: "use it or lose it"...dexterity in your fingers will come with training them to do what you want them to...no doubt, your fingers may have been more limber when you were younger, however, you'd be surprised at how much you can bring back with some concentration and practice.

Learning to play the fiddle is for all ages period. It's the process and journey that counts...training the mind to do something as different as learning to play fiddle may open up other creative venues for you...it can truly be a reawakening of the learning process which may, in turn, open you up to other art and academic pursuits.

Hope something here has inspired you to go forward with your ambitions...Mickey

Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2003 07:27:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Classical Violin

Hello! I am an adult who desires to learn classical violin. Could you please compile a beginners book/video combination that would meet my needs? I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, what are your feelings about adults learning to play the violin? I once heard that in order to ever achieve any perfection in playing violin, you have to start young. Is this true? Will I ever (I'm 31 now) be able to achieve a high level of playing proficiency? Thanks!!

Greetings,

Glad to assist if I can:

There are many good videos out today on learning to play violin:

Mel Bay Publications:
94582 - Easy Solos for Beginning Violin
Summary: by Craig Duncan - This collection of level-1 solos for violin with keyboard accompaniment are taken from folk and classical melodies. Created especially for use as a solo supplement to any first-year string method or private instructional course, these solos are an ideal Suzuki supplement, and a per...

99292BCD - First Lessons Violin
Summary: by Craig Duncan - This text presents beginning violin technique and basic music-reading fundamentals, with an emphasis on the use of melodies and classical pieces to teach each new concept. The 28 lessons include basic technique and reading skills, scales in the keys of A, D, G, and C as well as bow...

On video, I'm not too sure...I've seen some really good fiddle videos...only violin methodology, I haven't found to date...we have a video out titled: "Intro to the Violin and Fiddle" which offers a good overview on methodology for both violin and fiddle. However, if your focus is solely violin, I would recommend looking for a video dedicated to violin study and methodology.

Now, as far as taking up violin later in life, I totally disagree with what you've heard. It's never too late to take up violin...no doubt, it's one of the most difficult instruments to learn...even so, the learning journey should be fun and rewarding at any age. If you're aspiring to become a concert violinist, it might be a challenge to attain as you attempt to learn in later years...even so, nothing is impossible. I, personally, have taken up the violin seriously only of recent years...and am having a blast on the learning journey...in fact, my instructional video illustrates this learning process as a fun journey...and, the simple fact is, that no matter how good we become at playing violin...we're all still students of the instrument.

I hope something here helps, Mickey