Violin?

Hey,

I was thinking about buying a violin but I won't be able to get a teacher (I live overseas and the language barrier would be difficult when conveying more complicated techniques). So I was wondering how difficult it would be to learn from the internet/technique book if I had to. I don't expect to be come a proffessional, I just want to be able to jam with my friends and stuff (basic chords and whatnot).

Thanks for your advice.

Andrew

Hey, I'm learning violin too and I have to say that it is ALOT more difficult then playing the guitar, at least i've been finding it alot more difficult. I haven't visited any internet sites that were very good for violin, and most of the books I've found are pretty good, but not a substitute for a teacher in my opinion. I'm not telling you that you shouldn't learn it or anything, it's just that you might find it very frustrating because it takes a while to get good at it, anyways, if anyone has any other input maybe they'll be able to help you out a little more.

It's doable, but you might try mandolin first, that way you could learn the tuning and where the notes are on the fretboard. I played violin (and later viola) in school orchestra for years, but never really took lessons. I'm just now spending some time going through a few violin books and trying to get a little better at it (after not playing for over 10 years). I know I could desperately use some lessons...but I'm like you, I'm just doing it for fun. You'll definitely want some decent strings and bow. That made a big difference on my cheap student violin.

on a similar note would you recommend a good starter violin (and what size would be best? I'm 6'1 if that helps at all). Or would any beginner one be ok. Thanks a lot.

I wish there were more forums like this on the internet (getting useful violin information on a guitar forum).

Thanks,

Andrew

I bought my violin from International Violin Supply ( http://www.internationalviolin.com/ ). You'd definitely want a full-size violin. A reputable dealer should be able to help you choose a good starter instrument. We have two professional violin shops where I live, so if I had to do it again, I might check the used instruments they have. Anyway, I spent about $400 on mine, but that was 10 years ago. I'm quite happy with it, though. But what ever you do, upgrade the fiberglass bow most student models come with. I upgraded without spending too much extra - I got a cheaper wooden bow, under $100 (that's cheap - you can spend five figures on a bow).

I had a strange experience when I bought a violin. I goufht one off eBay thinking, like others, that it would be fun to learn to play a little bit. So I went to a local music store that specializes in violin and asked them about taking some basic lessons. The person there asked me about my violin and where I got it and when I told him I bought it off eBay, he told me that they wouldn't take me as a student because they didn't teach on instruments they didn't feel were up to their standards. It was the most unusual and snobish things I had ever seen. I can't imagine going to a guitar lesson and being told by the instructor that I can't take lessons unless I have a fender or a gibson.

on a similar note would you recommend a good starter violin (and what size would be best? I'm 6'1 if that helps at all). Or would any beginner one be ok. Thanks a lot.

I wish there were more forums like this on the internet (getting useful violin information on a guitar forum).
Hmm.... At your height, you may want to just hoist a cello up on your shoulder.

My best advice for learning to play in tune (the hardest part of violining, in my opinion) is to learn the notes by position. It's just like first, second, third, etc. position on the guitar. On the guitar, though, position just tells you where a good place to play is. On the violin, it's your guide to getting your fingers in the right spots. You know that when your thumb is where the neck meets the body, and you hold your hand just so, your index finger will fall right on top of a C (on the G string).You get the different positions in your muscle memory, since you have no frets to guide you.

Hi, My daughter plays violin. The first one we bought her was a super cheap quarter size. We didn't know if she would be interested after a few months and didn't want to invest too much at the time. We too were overseas - Vietnam. Found a teacher that spoke a little bit of English and it made a huge difference for her. He was able to correct her positioning and show her how to use the bow correctly and so forth. Now that she is older we did get her a better violin in the $350 range. What a difference. The older cheap one would not hold a tune. The better one does. I would recommend that you get one with fine tuners or have them put on. It is less frustrating to tune up properly with them.

You get the different positions in your muscle memory, since you have no frets to guide you.
Some beginning violinists put pieces of masking tape on the back of the neck to help them feel the positions.

You get the different positions in your muscle memory, since you have no frets to guide you.
Some beginning violinists put pieces of masking tape on the back of the neck to help them feel the positions.

Right. I've also seen thin strips of yellow tape used. I don't really know what kind it was. I think teachers usually leave the tape on until it wears off, then don't replace it. At that point you should be able to play mostly in tune, even if you still need some practice.

My teacher put clear tape on at my first lesson, you'd think you wouldn't be able to see it because it's clear but it works fine. Oddly enough, I don't find left hand technique that difficult (well, I can't really play a note with vibrato yet but i've been playing for less then a month), the toughest thing for me is bowing: it's really hard to bow straight, even and with the right pressure... if the bowing isn't straight, even and with the right pressure, you get that terrible squeaking sound that everyone expects to hear when they hear that you're learning to play violin :D