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Learning to play the violin can provide endless hours of joy and entertainment. Whether young, old, or somewhere in-between, you can learn how to begin to play violin.
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Learning to play the violin can provide endless hours of joy and entertainment. Whether young, old, or somewhere in-between, you can learn how to begin to play violin.
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Introduction
- Learning to play an instrument can provide challenges and satisfaction to last a lifetime. To start playing the violin, read on:
Step 1: Find a Quality Teacher
- Violin teachers are many, but try to find the best teacher you can afford. A good teacher will provide training in proper technique from the beginning, so that you will avoid developing any bad habits.
Step 2: Find a Quality Instrument
- Once you have found a teacher, she should be able to advise you on finding the right instrument, used or new. Scour
- Internet communities
- Local music school bulletin boards
- Music stores (Knowledgeable staff should also be able to aid in your selection.)
- General considerations:
- You will want something sturdy enough to withstand the bowing of a beginner.
- Invest to match your level of commitment. If you feel you might not stick with your violin studies, you may want to spend less.
Step 3: Spend Quality Time with Your Violin
- A musician's instrument is an extension of her body. In addition, there is a sensual aspect to playing a string instrument. Once you have found your instrument, make yourself familiar with it. (Take care. You don't want to damage your new violin or bow!)
- Get to know the feel of your violin, its various parts.
- Handle the body. Experience the texture of the wood, the sensuous curves.
- Run your fingers along the strings.
- Pluck the strings.
- See what happens when you adjust the tightness of the strings, and then pluck them.
- Tuck the violin under your chin. Try to find a position that feels comfortable, that you think you can sustain for a while.
- Play around with the bow.
- See how it feels just to hold it.
- Then try grasping the bow in a raised position, as if you were playing. What is it like to feel the bow in motion, so close to your face?
- Put some rosin on your bow. See how it feels. Try adding more. Experience the difference.
- The more familiar you are with your new instrument, the more comfortable you will be when you start to play.
Step 4: Learn Music Theory Basics
- Some background in the fundamentals of theory will make it easier to learn music once you start your lessons. Familiarize yourself with
- Time signatures
- Treble clef
- Note values (whole note, half note, quarter note, etc.)
- Scales
- Taking a course or schooling yourself on the above will help you get off to a good start.
Step 5: Commit to Daily Practice
- Learning an instrument requires hours of practice, in addition to regular lessons. If you cannot devote much time to learning, you may find yourself becoming frustrated at the slow rate of your progress. Ideally, even if you study as an adult, you will be able to devote a certain amount of time each day to practice, if only for the sake of muscle memory. Many teachers prefer 30 minutes of practice per day to one hour three times a week.
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