---

Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 20:11:02 EST

Dear Mickey,

I am a fifth-grade teacher who just purchased a new violin after 30 years of never picking one up. I was a beginnner in sixth-grade when a teacher kicked me out of class because I did not already know how to read music.

I can't tell you how relieved I was to find your four beginner lessons on-line when my violin arrived today. I so appreciate you're putting them out there for folks like me who need LOTS of HELP!

Thank you so much,
Peggy

Greetings Peggy,

Thanks for staying tuned with us...I had a similar experience in fifth grade when I would attempt to play everything by ear in orchestra...the teacher was very patient and kept me after class trying to convey the importance of reading music...she was a tremendous influence...unfortunately, my friends and family were not near as supportive...and I gave up too early. I still found my way back though...I love the learning process! And, accolades to you for pursuing such a noble profession.

I'm not sure where you found our four lessons listed...we have many more lessons available here:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3.htm


Keep on Bowing, Mickey

---

Date: 22 Feb 2004, 07:21:22 PM
Subject: What size ???

I played violin for about 2 years when i was in about 3rd and 4th grade and have been wanting to get back into it again but in all honest i dont know where to even begin.¬ Your website had tons of helpful information for someone like me who does not know anything about violins, and¬ I think I have decided I would like to try a Cremona SV-175.¬ I am not sure about what size I¬ need, in fact i did not know violins came in different sizes.¬ Your website says the Cremona SV-175 is available in 4/4 - 1/16.¬ What do you recommend for a 25 year old beginner?¬
¬
Thanks, Laura

---

Subject: About the Violin Learnig
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 05:52:08 +0500

Dear Mickey Cochran

Greetings Manum,

I hope you are fine.

I was searching the free lession of Violin and got your site, I would like to appreciate the efforts and the work done to provide a very detailed and remarkable learning metrial to the whole world.

You're most welcome...thanks for the kind words...it's inspiring to hear.

I have always been fond of learning Violin and also bought it recently, frankly speaking right now I am not able to buy the videos, can you please guide the way how can I learn it or at least become a normal player.

Teaching yourself violin is quite a challenge...it's very critical that you learn correct positioning...without correct positioning, you may be developing bad habits that will be difficult to unlearn at a later date...and, with these bad habits, you may be forever impeding your violin playing capabilities. Therefore, at the very least, attempt to take one lesson a month from a qualified instructor...if this isn't possible, find a video that teaches methodology and positioning...and, once you have correct positioning, then teaching yourself technique, scales, studies and songs will come quite a bit easier and you'll find yourself progressing correctly...Mickey


Looking forword to hear you soon.

Best Regards,
Manum

---

Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 21:25:48 -0500

Hello. I love violin music and was given one as a gift. I don't
play any instrument and I'm trying to follow the book that was given
that will teach me to play but I'm a little confused. 

Greetings,

This can be quite difficult...when first learning to play a violin, it would be better to have visual aids...either from a teacher or an instructional video. You'll first want to learn about proper positioning and proper set up of your violin...to ensure that you're on the right track with laying down a good foundation...and avoiding bad habits.

I will attempt to assist you with your book studies as follows:

It starts off
with the open "E" as a quarter note which i understand and can play all
the notes without pressing the strings although that comes later after i
learn the basics. 

One of the main problems with teaching yourself from a book is that the book isn't necessarily teaching you the finer aspects of learning to play violin properly (there are exceptions with certain books)...when first learning to play violin, you're in the developmental stage. This is quite important considering you're in the process of laying down the foundation of many years of playing ahead of you. If you develop bad habits at this stage, you'll spend quite a bit more effort to shed yourself of these habits later on.

The critical aspect here is learning to obtain good tone...you'll want to make sure that your bow hair is tightened correctly...you do not want it to be over tightened nor do you want it under tightened. Here's where an instructor or a video would be of assistance.

Secondly, you'll want to make sure that you do have the proper amount of rosin on the hair...

Thirdly, you'll want to make sure that you're holding the bow correctly...mainly so that you will not be impeding your playing ability later on...and to make sure that you're achieving the best tone possible.

Then, you'll want to make sure that you're drawing the bow in the right spot between the bridge and the fingerboard. While concentrating on this, you'll also want to make sure that you're angling the bow correctly...by experimenting with angling the bow so that only a portion of the hair is being drawn over the strings. As you draw the bow, you'll want to make sure that you're keeping an even angle and the spot where you're drawing the bow remains directly under the bow for as long as you draw the bow.

And, finally, you'll want to think about the pressure you're adding while drawing the bow. You'll want to make sure that you let the bow add its own pressure as you draw it. Do not add force by pressing down the bow as you play; this will give you a scratchy tone.

But after I get familiar with playing the quarter
note, "E", it tells me to play a half note. Then a whole note. Do I
have to use my fingers to press the strings? 

Only if the note on the sheet music dictates to start playing with your fingers...a half note or a whole note are only timing symbols...they do not dictate that it's time to play a note that requires fingering...where the note is placed on the staff will dictate this...

Flipping ahead It tells
how to press the strings but I want to follow the instructions so as not
to get ahead of myself. 

I believe you'll want to wait until the book covers the fingering...hence, you're probably only required to play the open strings first.

Be sure to check out our free violin lesson section on our website for many more tips:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3.htm


Mickey

---

Subject: Can you help me?
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 13:37:33 -0500

I have a couple questions, actually alot of questions. I have always had the desire to learn how to play the violin but never had the time or money. I just recieved a violin from my husband and have no idea where to start. I have checked out your website which has helped alot and I dont have the time or money to hire a tutor. So if there is some tricks that i need to know to get started can you help me?
Thank you,
Chelsie

Greetings Chelsie,

Glad to assist if I can:

We do have a free lessons section...you may have already perused these:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3.htm

One of the best options for learning to play violin, would be to acquire a good methodology video...one that teaches positioning, exercises and studies for accelerating the learning process.

As far as tricks...make sure that you do have a reference for proper positioning...and, practice with a road map...have goals in front of you at all times. Learn to focus on your weak areas...

Wishing you the best in your research efforts, Mickey

---