Hello,

I've always wanted to learn how to play a violin. Is it easy?

Are there plenty of rules we have to obey?

It's not an 'easy' instrument - but then what instrument is? I played violin as a child, and now play other bowed instruments. They are expressive, melodious, beautiful instruments. If you want to play them because of that, that's a more satisfying motivation than wanting to pick up something quickly.

Actually i wanted to take up violin but i have no time! it needs a lot of practise!

dennis~~

I want to take up the violin too I play woodwind and percussion, but it would be so cool to play the strings..

I have always loved the violin, and wanted to learn, but was put off by its differcult reputation. Last September though, I decided to give it a try and I'm so glad that I did.
It isn't an easy intrument to learn, but it's a very rewarding intrument, in that, if you work hard and keep up your practise, you can progress quiet quickly. But you certainly have to be committed to it and practise everday even if it's only for 10 mins. When it comes to rules, I'm around grade 2 violin now and I can't say there are anymore rules to it than what there was for grade 2 classical guitar when I was working towards taking that.

If you want to start playing violin, then I would advise you give it a go, everything changes once you've started playing, you might find you have a talent for the intrument!

Lisa

It's no way an 'easy' instrument. You'll get a good sound if you practice everyday as Lisa-guitar said

For violin you do need quite a good ear to start with. Also it isn't an instantlyrewarding instrument. When you first start out it will sound awful, but it is very rewarding when you get it right!! It is, in my opinion, a fery lovely instrument

"Is it easy?"

In a word...NO!

I've been playing violin for about 6 years and am only about grade 3 standard. You have to have a very good ear for pitch (something i seriously lack).

I'm not a violin player, from what other people I know have said, it certainly isn't easy, but in their opinion is one of the most rewarding once you have reached a goal, as it takes work to get there. But no instrument is easy, they all take time and effort, and what may come easily on one instrument may not come easily on another.

If you like it go for it without asking yourself if it's easy or not, in my opinion if you want to do something you will. I like the violin and I've just taken it up, I have never stopped to ask myself if it's hard or not, but also, I am in no hurry to learn it, I know I will learn it, at what pace I am not bothered really as I am learning it because I like it not because I have to learn an instrument.
If you have to learn an instrument for whatever career reason then the situation might be different indeed. But like others have said, no instrument is easy...and also it depends on what kind of person you are, some struggle with piano (still learn it but struggle) others with strings, others with wind instruments (that'd probably be me LOL), takes all sorts to make the world go round like they say!

I play fiddle rather violin, same instrument but different technique really. And alot of that can be quite easy to get the hang of. I got into playing at sessions not long after I started and that really helped me improve my repertoire! Although, i'll never be as good as Ali Bain!

I agree, niether the differculty of the intrument or your rate of progress should matter - if you want to learn, it should be about learning and enjoying the process of learning!

In my opinion, you've got to really really want to learn it-that's the thing that gets you through all those nasty roadbumps along the way. Things are extremely frustrating at the start - the horrid screechy noises, painful fingertips, cramped and hurting arms, intonation problems... However I really agree that the violin is a very rewarding instrument to learn. The only problem that I have with it is that you can't exactly pick up your violin after a hard day's work and expect to de-stress yourself by playing it, unlike the piano.

Also I think you've got to have a lot of patience to learn, because I find that the violin is one of the most technically demanding instruments. So prepare yourself for tons of studies, etc.

...wish I found playing the piano de-stressing..........

Not everyone suffers this, some pupils take to the violin extremely well.

Hmmmm, a matter of opinon and also a case of whether you play the piano! Playing any musical instrument is therapy from the stresses of work.

Yes, it does take patience and persistance. Hard work is met with ample reward. It is not an instrument for those with either a short attention span or someone who gives up easily.


I don't particularly like the sound of the piano and I don't play it either. So I wouldn't find it de-stressing either

I agree it is a technically demanding instrument. I have been playing it for about 11 months now am at Grade 4 standard. Violin is my 2nd instrument after piano and is slowly taking more of my time. *grin* I used to play the piano everyday but I don't now. For some reason, I actually like the etudes in violin more so than piano. Is there a particular reason why?

Intonation seems to be the biggest problem amongst string players but once you get it, it stays there. It improves your pitching too! What makes me very happy now is when I play a note that's in tune especially G, D and A on the D, A and E strings respectively. The resonance from the violin just sends me to heaven. Pick it up if you want to! The learning curve is very steep initially but I think it will flatten out later. (I hope!) A very very beautiful instrument. Someone once said the violin is the closest instrument to the human voice.

Thanks for all the reply.

I appreciates all of them...

Hmm, it seems to me that violin isnt that 'easy' as ive interpreted it to be... however, i would like to give it a try...thanks for all the motivation...anyone can recommend me any good violin? I mean what sort of violin is good for a beginner like me? Oh! How many grades are there?

The graded exams for violin are just as for piano.

For advice on instruments you might like to try the viva strings board.

Yes, do come over to the Viva Strings board! You might be interested in this thread - Starting Violin

Hope this helps!

yes, come over to the strings

I play it and have been since i was 3 and its only getting easier now!

I have been playing the violin for 6 years now and I only just did my Grade 2 exam on Friday. It is in no way easy, but if you like a challenge, then go for it. if you work hard, you get brilliant results in grades.