I know that the most popular method by far is Suzuki, but I was wondering if learning through a series is the best idea. I've been using Suzuki until book four, and then my teacher just assigned exercises. Is it best to use a method or simply develop repertoire level-appropriate?

Your opinions appreciated.

Hehe, I'm kind of a traditional Suzuki kid! Lol I luv it!
I began with suzuki and just did that for a few years, then i started to do exams as well. Now I do 1 or 2 exams a year and am currently completing Suzuki Book 10
But I also do studies and exercises and stuff now. Of course I'm biased towards Suzuki now, so i think that's the best method! Lol

I've been using a few method books. A Tune a Day books 1 and 2, Abracadabra and the Eta Cohen Violin method as well as numerous other books and exam books, sight reading and scales/arpeggios. I'm currently about to start the Grade 5 AB Violin Exam book. I dont always sound fantastic but I'm pretty pleased with my progress after only 9 months of playing.

Gae

I used Abracadabra. They're fun and well structured. Suzuki kids at my school are all very bad at sight-reading and keeping time in ensembles, but do have better tone than most. They also practice for huge amounts of time. I'm glad I didn't do Suzuki, it seems to encourage playing pieces by technical standard, so you might end up playing the Tchaik when you're 12, but which time nobody except those destined to become famous could have the musical maturity to do so. That really annoys me, because for me, it kills the piece. Those who haven't done Suzuki who I know prefer to choose pieces which match their technical and musical standard, and hence they give a more rounded performance even though they take longer to get to some pieces.

I didn't really use any "method" to begin with, although when I did move on to basic pieces, I did use Abracadabra and Eta Cohen. And then later one, my teacher set me on Sevcik for the more advanced exercises. I now generally practice a lot of scales, to be honest, and just doing them in different positions and with different bowings.

For the very reasons you state, that is why I don't like the Suzuki Method. Yes, it's a good way of gaining huge amounts of ground in a very short space of time, but musical maturity will take you further in the end. Many of the far eastern students who are technically very proficient lack feeling in their playing - and it's not just me who is saying this; read the reports of any violin competition and see how many adjudicators say the same.

Sevcik is excellent, especially the 40 variations. Even seasoned pros turn to the 40 variations if there are specific areas of bowing they wish to brush up on. Scales are good to play daily, although they are not always the best form of technique builder. Other good study books that will stretch an advanced player mentally and physically are: Mazas, Rode and Don't (the second book, not the first).

I used the Abracdabra books when I was little; they were fun

Suzuki rocks!! It really does. It is just that as you go on and develop, you need to add other things to it, rather than leave it behind Sevcik is great, a real must play!! I would say that Suzuki learners really do win hands down in intonation. My daughter has achieved top grades in pieces that require expression, slow, mature pieces, that she finds quite boring really. BUT she plays them well, because of her Suzuki training. She does do exams though and also other exercises etc.
Violinma

I'm 17 and I really want to learn the Violin - will it be too difficult to learn? Will I be able to get to a half decent standard? Could I teach myself using 'A Tune a Day' book?

The consensus on this board, if I may be so bold as to say so, is that it is a *big* mistake to try to teach yourself the violin. The main problem is you will learn bad habits which will present huge barriers to progress beyond the most basic level. Therefore, you should aim to take lessons from a competent teacher who will set you on the right road. You can reduce the frequency of lessons if you have to, of course. Learning the violin will take many hours of patient practice, but will bring many rewards.

Age is no barrier. A certain amount of natural aptitude combined with enthusiasm plus lots and lots of careful practice will help you succeed. Since you can already read music you are off to a good start. I would hope that as a woodwind player and singer you also have good relative pitch?



As per above. It depends on how much proper practice you do, how much enthusiasm you have and perhaps a little pinch of natural ability. You won't know whether you have any of the last until you take up playing the violin.



Not advisable. Without shadow of a doubt you will be developing bad habits right from the first moment. Although you may read the book carefully, we all interpret written instructions in a slightly different way and that can mean getting the wrong end of the stick - especially with a subject you know absolutely nothing about. Initially, taking lessons from a specialist teacher will get things off on the right foot and avoid the pitfalls and really nasty habits associated with being a beginner on the violin.