Starting Violin

[wannasteinway]

I have been playing piano for a while now,does anyone think its a good idea to also start violin.
Does anyone have experience with violin and is it more complex compared to the Piano???

[g_s_223]

What's your age? It's said that older people have more trouble with violin due to the small size of the fingerboard spacing. As the viola is bigger, that is a bit easier, and cello is easier still. You can start on violin and move to viola later pretty easily though.

I'm learning the cello (as a mature adult) and it's great. Learning any string instrument is pretty time-consuming though.

Good luck!

[wannasteinway]

I am 15, Which is why i didnt know if i could do it.

[g_s_223]

I would say 15 is fine, as long as you don't aspire to be a violin soloist.

The main issue is it will take time, which you might be wiser to spend on learning the piano. Could you afford to spend up to 1hr/day on violin *and* 1hr/day on piano?

Can you (or parents) afford two sets of instrument lessons?

It may take up to 1 year before you produce nice-sounding tunes from the violin, but it is a great instrument.

[kelly_kelly]

I started viola when I was 9, about 2 years after I started piano. It's a whole different way to approach music, and definitely an enriching experience. I think you should go for it. The main difficulty I think you may have is intonation. A pianist has no worries as far as the pitch of a note. If it sounds out of tune, the pianist blames it on the piano. However, with violin (as with any stringed intrument) grueling practice is required for intonation. On the other hand., a violinist only has to juggle one malodic line at a time, and I find that I am much less nervous when performing viola.

[wannasteinway]

Although my mother pays $20 half hour once a week,she said she would get me a violin and lessons.I am also home schooled so i have all day to devote to my music i already get aver 6 hours a day of piano.So i think i have time for some violin.
And what instrument is harder?
Would i struggle with it alot?
I figure i already know how to read,count,music and all that,so now i need to learn where the notes go. Is it hard to play violin because it has no frets?

Thank youhttp://

[danyal]

I find violin quite difficult. Maybe its because I never practise it (to the absolute fury of my teacher- you know... inter-instrument jealousy) But I can tell you this, from what I have learned... The first few months are NOT going to be easy. I got frustrated to such a degree when I first started (7), cos it wasnt sounding like what I wanted it to, that I burst into tears and almost threw my violin across the room on numerous occasions. The only thing that stopped me was respect for the instrument itself. Its an exquisite instrument, once you can play it... and the most beautiful sound can be produced, if worked at.
Also, from the very very start, tackle the intonation. There's nothing worse than hearing a string player who's revoltingly out of tune. If you have a good ear this shouldn't be a problem, just concentrate on constantly (and critically) listening to yourself (its very easy for your ear to become accustomed to bad intonation... to the point that you dont even hear it anymore)

Also, find yourself a good teacher (also from the start!). Go on reputation, student success etc

I think its a good idea to have a 2nd instrument, as it gives you a whole lot more musical knowledge and experience, and a different perspective on music as a whole. Also, most undergrad music courses require it for the first few years.

Good luck!
Danyal

[cellodude]

Go for it! At 15 you should still be alright. But note the following:

1. It will be more difficult than the piano. Be careful with your wrist as it will be twisted in an akward manner. It's easier the younger you are but at 15 you're still alright.

2. There is a series of books that my children have found very useful. It is the 'Strictly Strings' series for the violin. My daughter started at 7 and did book 1 and 2 in less than a year. Then she took her ABRSM Grade 3 exam. Then she did book 3 and she took her Grade 6. And in another 2 years she is now attempting Diploma pieces.

The series is simply amazing. For the first 2 books she only spent about 5 to 15 mins a day practicing, but her technique improved by leaps and bounds. I believe it is because of the way the lessons are arranged. They are short one line melodies from the classics that concentrate on one or 2 techniques at the most. So you must complete the whole book sequentially and master each one before moving on to the next. There is an accompanying CD that makes for pleasant practice.

I believe if you can put in about half an hour to an hour a day you can reach ABRSM Grade 8 in less than 3 years. I must also add that my daughter has a good teacher too.

All the best.

dennis lee

[nsvppp]

Many years ago I played the violin (10 years) and now 2 years piano.

The instruments are not comparable.

Violin:
even after many years it remains a struggle to play a violin beautifully, because of intonation, intonation and intonation. Technically the violin is hard to play. On the other hand, it is easy to play any melody. After a couple of years you can play what you hear.

Piano:
It came as a shock to me that coordinating left and right hand would be so difficult. Even when you can play a piece hands separately, it doesn't predict how much time you will have to spend to be able to play hands together. So technically the piano is hard to play. But at first instance no intonation problems at all.

The way in which you can express yourself with a violin is also not comparable to the piano. I think the violin is most expressive one, but you need accompaniment, because violin solo doesn't sound too well. Even the most accomplished violinists don't often play works without accompaniment. While the piano sounds great by itself.

I think you will become very allround when you play such different instruments. And obviously you have the time and can afford it, so stop hesitating and pick up the violin.

[kelly_kelly]

The Suzuki series worked extremely well for me. Less than 2 yrs ago I began at book 2, and now I'm on book 7 (approximately ABRSM grade 7). The pieces are arranged well (for the most part) and are very effective. I also helps train the ear.

[princessdecadence]

I agree with Kelly - I think Suzuki books are very good but then again I never tried ABRSM.