Learning Violin from scratch?

[rayneval]

Hi,

Just wondering what you pianists think, since I've had the most experience (even if it is not that great) in piano. I'm wanting to learn violin, where is the best place to start without teacher?
I can buy a cheap violin pretty easily which is good.
Though, not sure how to learn notes/playing techniques and all that other stuff, as I've never started an instrument on my own?

Any tips too will be helpful!

Thanks

Rayne

[Bob]

I would think it's tougher than piano.  Easier to learn the wrong positions or grips and have that ingrained a bit.

There are beginner DVDs that come with method books.  Maybe one of those would be helpful.  Along with some youtube videos -- I've seen people doing beginning lessons on there. 

And there are pedagogy books for violinsts who want to learn "standard" teaching ideas.  That could help too but I would think seeing and hearing and imitating that would be better than a book. 

I would guess there are about three books in the Standard of Excellence or Essential Element series.  Although those are set up for group classes.... But at least it would give you the outline of what beginning violinists are supposed to learn.  There are teacher guides for those books too, but those are more conductor geared.  Still potentially useful, although a lot more expensive than the little method books.

[asianpianoer]

hehehe that's what i did.
it's just like you get to know the notes, where they are and.. yeah
that's wat happened to me

im not that bad i hope
I play pieces now of around 4th grade.
it really helps to know how to hold and use the bow