I just wanted a little advice, mainly from those who do two instruments.

Well, I am studying for my diplomas in piano (teaching and performance). I'm also at university studying maths.

However, for so many years I have wanted to learn the violin. I would see films and concerts of people playing the violin and I'd suddenly have the urge to learn it and just play it. I got a violin a year ago and tried teaching myself. Left hand fingering is fine, bowing needs work. But, it always keeps coming into my head to learn it, and I so badly want to play it. When I was younger my parents told me to just do one instrument. I did the whole grade 8 thing in piano 3 years ago, and even though i so love the piano and could never give it up, I just really want to learn the violin. Other instruments dont affect me this bad.

I've just found someone who is also a university student who's willing to teach me (cheap as well I might add!) and I just really want to take it up. However, my own piano teacher has told me I have enough on my plate already. At the moment, I'm studying for diplomas in piano, I teach piano, I'm studying maths and I'm sure there's room in there for violin.

What do you think? My aim is to be grade 8 violin in five years.

I wouldn't say you were doing too much, but I would definetly not try to put an aim on how quickly you do your grade 8, because that will add unecessary pressure, and I don't think anyone should start an instrument just thinking, "I wan't to do grade eight in X years". Keep it as a hobby if you do take it up, and don't put undue pressure on it, as really IMO, your maths degree and your piano should come first.

I would take it up, see how it goes and then go from there, but just play for the sake of playing, and not for the sake of, "I want to be this good in this time".

^ wise advice IMO I was trying to think how to reply, but I think PD said all that I'd've said and much more clearly than I'd've managed!

Suck it and see - don't put undue pressure on yourself - see how it goes. Time will tell how fast you progress, by all means practice and ensure you have the best technique you can manage (good technique and playing easy pieces will set you up far better than rushing on and not getting technique right - as one who hit the brick wall on the violin, trust me on this one ) but just see how it pans out and enjoy it

I'd agree with the above too. By all means take it up - as a lovely hobby and fulfilling of a long-held dream That will be a motivating factor for you in your study. Personally, I'd avoid too many goals - especially exam ones.

You are an experienced musician now and know exams aren't the most important thing in a musician's life. Have fun playing (the violin will open up the orchestral world to you too) and enjoy. Whether you get Grade 8 or not is, in this instance, I think open to debate much further down the line.

Have fun and good luck ......!

Take it up, but make sure you prioritise your time.

For example, with me, during my GCSE's I stopped playikng violin and recorders and just did flute, and then started the others afterwards. At the moment I have a flute exam to prepare for, so again my violin has taken a backseat. However if I was dofing a violin exam then the flute would have to go on hold. All my instruments (except maybe piano) are going to have to slow up a little bit while I do my AS exams later this year, but I can assure you they will all start again over the summer.

There shouldn't be a problem wikth taking it up, just make sure you organise your time well and focus on what you really need to be doing at the time. I agree that setting an aim for grade 8 is also a bad idea because it adds extra pressure (and violin can be really slow to begin with)

I would say go for it! I desperately want to play the violin too and playing three instruments already I have been told that I can't. Make sure you prioritise and maybe think of your violin as your 'fun instrument'.