How long to get used to a new instrument? Options

[STRINGMUM]

I know it's a bit like asking how long is a piece of string but how long would you expect it to take a competent player child or adult to get used to a new instrument?

My two seem to take to new instruments with ease. Moving up a size has never been a problem more of a relief to get a bigger instrument. Some of their friends have taken some time to get used to a bigger instrument but have got there in the end.

Violinists who also play viola can swap between different sized instruments with no problems at all.

This has been prompted by a friend who's been told to get her teenage child the instrument now that he'll audition for conservatoire in in two years time so the child has plenty time to get used to it. It all seemed a bit strange to her.

What's does everyone else think?

[immy]

I think there are two separate issues here. The first is the size and string length of the instrument. You are quite right, it does not take most people long to adjust to a difference in size, after a few moments of playing sharp/flat the left hand tends to adjust pretty easily.
The second issue is the long-term relationship with an instrument. Over time you get to know its strengths and weaknesses, temperament and foibles like response to humidity and temperature. This is an on-going process I would say, and can certainly take years. It is nice when you have really got to know your instrument like that.
But that is not to say that you should wait until you have experienced every aspect of its character until you play it at an important event! People can play very well at an audition on a new or borrowed instrument I am sure.

[Badly-Tempered Clavier]

Hi Stringmum,

This is actually a similar question in essence to the one I just posted on cello string length (I started late on full size and have never had to switch before so don't know). I first got worried as I remember switching from a keyboard to an acoustic piano as a child and there was a few mm difference between the size of the keys, it took several months for me to stop clipping notes where I was used to the smaller keys. It was really annoying!

As for stringed instruments, I don't know the answer (yet). But if the teacher has made this suggestion the teacher perhaps they are worried about the student's confidence in switching instruments? On the other hand could it be a subtle way of saying 'this child needs an upgrade'? They must be very talented if these plans are being made now, perhaps the teacher secretly thinks now is the right time, anyway? In a funny way, it's probably a compliment to the student.

[elidatrading]

It sounds a bit odd to me, there is no way to be sure if the player will still want to audition for conservatoire two years from now!

Liz

[Roseau]

This is actually a similar question in essence to the one I just posted on cello string length (I started late on full size and have never had to switch before so don't know). I first got worried as I remember switching from a keyboard to an acoustic piano as a child and there was a few mm difference between the size of the keys, it took several months for me to stop clipping notes where I was used to the smaller keys. It was really annoying!

I don't think that keyboard to piano is quite the same as changing string instrument size. While you do obviously have "automatic" movements on a stringed instrument, you are also constantly listening to intonation and adjusting accordingly whereas with the piano, nothing is every going to change the distance between two keys.

I find it very hard to play a keyboard (because I am used to piano spacing) but don't remember having a problem changing violin sizes as a child and my daughter hasn't ever had any real problems moving up cello sizes. Interestingly what she found the hardest to get used to (but only when moving from a 1/2 size to a 3/4 size) was the length of the bow.

[lottie]

I've been thinking about this question.

I think it really is as long as a piece of string but two years is a long time and a developing player can change a lot - it's equally possible that they could outgrow the instrument that they buy now instead of 'getting to know it'.

As a relative beginner my playing changes from month to month and I keep finding things I like about my viola because the sound changes too. At the moment my fourth/fifth position sounds weak but a tweak of my fingers changes the sound so it's my technique and not a weakness within the instrument. The bottom end is getting warmer and warmer as I learn to draw it out. All of this has taken nearly a year!

I don't know if I'll reach a ceiling with this instrument... I doubt it at the moment because I keep finding it changes along with me. But in two years time I could be hankering after a different type of sound, or find my instrument falls behind me in sophistication. ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) unlikely!!!!)

For a young person aiming an Conservatoire the instrument needed at this level is in the 'investment' bracket - well it certainly was for me when auditioning on clarinet all those years go. Then at least it could act as a deposit on a professional instrument, or at least realise a level return if music is dropped.

This is not addressing size of course - that is something I guess would take a little time to adjust. I can't comment on that because my fingers are still 'adjusting' to playing viola and my intonation is improving all the time.