Violin/Fiddle: On Learning to Play

Subject: i'm thinking to learn violin
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 22:27:23 +0000

hi, i'm actually 19 years old, and i want to learn violin so much...

Greetings,

I'm glad to assist:

Most of the battle in learning is having a passion for the instrument...of which it appears you're now most of the way there...

i got some questions that need to be answered propertlly.
how much time does the learning takes?

After determining that you really want to learn, and if you have a strong enough passion, you will find yourself dedicating yourself to practicing. If you have focus, and bracket time and studies properly, you will accelerate the learning process. If you approach this haphazardly, do not expect much progress. You must have a road map...and, it's best to have a personal instructor. If not, at the very least, a video that teaches proper positioning. It's possible to be playing pleasing-to-the-ear advanced melodies within a year of study.

... a standard will be fine to know...
i actually study architecture, it takes lots of time, but anyway, i do want to learn... the lessons or the practice takes much time?

You really want to dedicate time to your studies...similar to your efforts with architecture. So, if you set aside at least one hour a day, and have proper guidance by video or teacher, you should see some solid progress...it's ideal to dedicate 2 hours daily to practice...

i'm asking this couse..i will be dissapointed if i see myself turned into 40 years old..and still haven't learned violin yet..after spending like 20 years on it.

Spend a year on violin...with focused effort...if in a year, you feel you haven't arrived where you want to be, even though you've practiced at least one hour daily, then you might want to reconsider your violin playing efforts. This way you do not have to be apprehensive of wasting 20+ years on your violin endeavors. On the other hand, you might find that practicing daily has become an enjoyable escape; and, even if you feel you haven't arrived where you want to be, you may still want to continue your studies solely for the enjoyment...I've found practice time itself a form of meditation...or escape if you will. Something that helps us all center ourselves while living in a crazy world.

Hope this gives you some inspiration...Mickey

i will be pleased if you can answer me... let's see if we can get another violinist soon!

Subject: Violin Question
Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 20:52:29 -0400

Hello,
My Name is Nathan. I am 16 and I play a variety of intruments: piano for ~10 1/2 yrs., Alto Sax for ~1 1/2 yrs., and have recently picked up the oboe. I was wondering if knowing previous intruments before starting from scratch on the violin would it help learn the violin fast and easier. Seeing that you would already know the musical part, would your main focus be on the technique part?

Thanks, Nathan

Greetings Nathan,

Yes, having previous experience with other instruments will facilitate the learning process on violin...music fundamentals themselves remain static no matter what instrument you're studying or playing...so with the theory established alone, other instruments become easier to pick up. Now, dexterity is another facet to consider...when playing a string instrument such as mandolin or guitar, some of the mechanics cross over to violin/fiddle...whereas, the mechanics from Alto Sax to violin would be entirely non-relative to the violin physically...even so, remember, the music fundamental remain the same...and your other edge is the ear you've already developed on these instruments will assist you immensely in attuning to the violin.

Hope this helps, Mickey

Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 08:45:17 -0800 (PST)
Subject: fiddles

Sir,

Greetings Jeremy,

Wow!! What a wealth of information is on your site. I'm sure it's an amazing help to a lot of folks out there, and I want to say thank you from all of us.

You're most welcome...thanks for the inspiring accolades...

I'm 25, love a variety of music, and have been thinking of trying to learn the fiddle for about a year. I simply love listening to the instrument in traditional bluegrass and country tunes. However, I got kinda scared by some of the talk on the site about how difficult the instrument is to play (the only instrument I play is the trumpet, which is obviously a far cry from a fiddle). I've got no illusions of playing well in a quick time frame, but was wondering what kind of time commitment it takes to learn the instrument fairly well...not to the point where I'd win competitions, but just so I could enjoy the music and not send the family running for cover when I opened the case.

I can understand your apprehensions...and, there is no doubt that the fiddle can be quite difficult to learn...however, it's also quite rewarding to learn...and, if you have a passion to learn the fiddle, this is most of the battle during the learning process. Many take up the fiddle with less desire to learn than others...and it reflects in how fast they do learn...or even how far they take their skills on the violin/fiddle.

There are tools to minimize the noise such as a violin mute...which allows you to practice quietly without the normal harshness of volume a student violinist/fiddler normally contends with...

Finally, do all fiddles from your site come with a chin rest?

Yes, all of our violins/fiddles come with a chin rest...

Thanks again for creating such a wonderful site.

You're most welcome...and please stay tuned with us...

If you have further questions, you're welcome to call our in-house violin expert Tradd @ ...

Keep on Bowin', Mickey

Jeremy