Hi,

just wanted to share my excitement while waiting for tomorrow. I'm having my first violin lesson tomorrow late evening. I'm curious and all thrilled. Hope the time flies quickly so that tomorrow comes!!!!

What was your first lesson like? Did it feel strange? Were you able to play any tunes at all?

Please reply as i'm terribly curious!! Also, how did you manage to memorise where the notes are on the strings, since i've no experience with strings instruments, i'm finding this question quite puzzling. I used to play the piano, so all the notes are easily spread-out!!!!!! I will update you tomorrow evening or Sat morning with the results of the 'ahem' lesson. Still without a violin, but i'll be using the teacher's for tomorrow, then if i'm still persisting to continue i'll buy one. Well i'm quite impatient to have one of my own but i just want to be sure that i can learn something not get stuck from the start...! Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!! (and wherever you are in the world, just cover your ears just in case i get a really shrilly note hehe hehe)

Don't worry - you will have no problem finding the notes when you have been shown how everything fits into place. And good luck for tomorrow!

Good luck for your violin lesson! I was very nervous when I had my first lesson as I didn't know what to expect but when my teacher said I had "violin fingers" and was well matched to the violin that was it, I was hooked. My first lesson was spent learning the parts of the violin, how to hold a bow (I was practising being a windscreen wiper) and within 10 minutes, I was playing my first tune (I read your other thread, and mine was Twinkle twinkle little star - hey, I played a tune so I couldn't have cared less what it was).

To help me remember where to position my fingers for the notes, my teacher put some guide spots on the fingerboard so I knew where to place my fingers initially but you'll probably have good intonation from playing the piano so you'll pick up quickly what fingers go where.

Well done you for giving it a go, just remember to go with it and enjoy yourself Oh, I've just noticed that this violinist looks exactly like me at the moment (serious face, trying to work on an exam piece).

Let us know how you get on.

By the time i had my first lesson i'd already had my violin for 2 months so had learnt where the notes are myself. She just got me to play some scales then said i'd be starting on grade 4!! I had to learn a grade 3 piece for the next lesson to make sure i was good enough to do grade 4, and then the next lesson she corrected my bow hold and wrist position etc. before i started any pieces (obviously )

Glad you're finally getting lessons and stuff. Hope you enjoy it, tell us how it goes

Well today was my first lesson. i was quite excited.

The first difficult thing to do is learn how to hold the violin and bow. it was quite a task. the violin i was using is the teachers so the shoulder rest was not good for me and the violin kept slipping... However, i have some problems holding the bow too since my right hand little finger is double jointed, therefore in a certain position it feels uncomfortable as it sort of blocks. Also, my fingers seem to have maintained the piano rounded position, so it's quite difficult for me to maintain my knuckles down!! Howeve, it was fun, at first i was afraid of the sound i would produce but once the teacher showed me what kind of pressure to make, there was i producing a somewhat uncertain e, a, d and g!!!!!!!!!!! The teacher's comments were that a good thing was that i wasn't hitting two strings in one time, therefore i was able to change from one string to another without hitting much the others!! Also, what i felt tricky is to follow up music on the score and managing all the things in my hands! and my bow kept slipping a bit (slanting in my head's direction) and so i got a few odd notes But worth the adventure for sure. It' s really different than piano and that's what i wanted. Aaah and yes it's true, it's better getting lessons from the start since it's very easy to get bad habits, i realised when trying out today. Now the dilemma, what to buy? should i go for a cheap one to try myself out then upgrade later or buy a better one such as Gliga genial 1 from now, well, that's a dilema i cannot solve right now. However, maybe tomorrow i'll go to a shop and try out some violins, (mainly chinese cheap ones for now). I'll let you know.

Any suggestions are welcome!! pls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so now i can call myself sort of a violinist too?

stentor conservatoire or similar will do for you for a couple of years at lest....

Costs around £200.

Pleased to hear you've had a lesson, ilovebunnies! You've done really well to come so far when you were scared to even ring a teacher at first. I'm sure having lessons will be a big incentive to buy a violin, and hope you can get one to suit you very soon.

Do keep posting about your progress!

I have a viola at this standard and it sounds great. They really aren't half bad instruments (although some make comments about the best thing being the box! OK, it does come with a good case, but the instrument is quite good too....) and my teascher often says how pleasantly surprised she is with the sound mine makes. It is a viola though, not a violin, so I couldn't comment knowledgeably about violins. Do get one soon though (sounds like you don't have one yet as you used your teacher's) so you can really get to know your own instrument and also practise at home!!! Oh, you could also consider renting one to see how it suits you. I did. I had a really cheap one first, then rented the one I went on to buy.

My first lesson was all pizz and we learned some of the notes on the D string as well as open D and A. There was an element of time keeping in it too and rests as well. I think I started bowing about lesson 3.

Can you call yourself a violinist? Well, I would say you could call yourself a violin learner!! Have lots of fun.

Look it in the same light as learning to drive a car. Assimilating the clutch, gear change, signalling, steering and watching for other cars, and road users, all in one go, is initially too much for the brain to work out all at the same time. It gets easier the more you practice. Eventually, for most people, all the actions become second nature.

It's pretty much the same with the violin. A naturally ambidextrousness helps - think multi-tasking: rubbing your tummy, patting your head and drawing a figure of eight with one foot, that's the sort of process going on.

My teacher started me just plucking for about three weeks before I learnt the bow hold; these days most teachers start you with open strings before learning any fingering. Don't be afraid to ask your teacher to slow down if you feel your brain can't cope with learning both hands/arms at once.

Good luck with it all and let us know your progress!

Good on you and many congratulations on your first lesson There's so much for your fingers and arms to do but give it time and you'll be fine. Ask your teacher if they can make some recommendations about violin makes and what their advice would be on buying a cheapy for now or buying something half decent.

Well done on beginning your violin journey.

[quote name='AmandaL' date='Jun 15 2008, 11:43 AM' post='709518']
[quote name='ilovebunnies' post='708918' date='Jun 13 2008, 09:19 PM']
It's pretty much the same with the violin. A naturally ambidextrousness helps - think multi-tasking: rubbing your tummy, patting your head and drawing a figure of eight with one foot, that's the sort of process going on.
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Ha ha ha, that's a good explanation. in fact the teacher laughed when i told him that i'm concentrating a lot to do what i was doing

Thanks very very much for all your comments especially encouragements. please keep them coming. i have an other lesson next Fri although i don't have a violin yet. maybe i can take it at a very slow pace for now then i'll see. It's a nice adventure and that's what i want, something to spice up life and maybe boost myself and my self-esteem.

Like it's already been mentioned you could rent a violin for the first few months, I think this would be the best option if you are at all unsure what to go for, then in a few months time you will have developed a 'feel' for things and a little of an 'ear' for the violin so you might then know if you want the cheapest violin in shop or a more 'decent' one.

AAAAaaaaahhh my first lesson, that was in January 2007! you brought back some very nice memories As I knew violin parts already (did my 'prep' reading before my lesson ) we went for plucking and bowing open strings I remember I used to get 'stiff and sore' after 5 to 10 minutes of holding the violin, now I can go on for hours and hours (if only I had hours to spare LOL)!

Keep us posted, we like to hear everybody's journey and yes, having played piano will help you, I find it helped me, being only around grade 3 on piano but it still helped me to recognise if I was hitting the right note and it also helped me to learn scales

I my violin

Congratulations!! You brought back memories of my first lesson too! (Jan of this year!)

I'm a bit confused about your comment about piano fingers. I too switched from piano to violin, but what do you mean by having the knuckles down? I was told to keep my fingers rounded, just like playing the piano...have I been doing something wrong??

Also, about note finding. You'll pick it up in less than a week. The first day of my lesson was learning how to hold the violin, bow. Learn what the strings are. Bow on open string, and pizzacatto twinkle. I think I learn what the first position was that day too. My teacher named random notes and made me play them on the violin, i remember that was hard at the beginning, but you'll get it after a week, I promise! (well, until you move to shifting, it's like all over again)

Good luck!

By the way, I have a Gliga Gama and I love it to death.

No please don't worry, it seems i was so stiff that my knuckes came jutting out. i did not get the hang of holding the bow very much. I hope that the next lesson is better though i did not buy a violin yet. As for the renting (as some have suggested) i don't think that shops here offer instruments for rental and i think that it wouldn't be worth as i don't intend to buy a violin sold here since they are quite expensive (nearly double the price as in the UK) so i'm thinking of getting one directly from uk (Gliga Genial 1). But not decided yet.


About gligas well, that's what i have in mind but i did not order yet.

I hope your teacher spends a lot of time helping you to get the bow-hold right. Once you've got it it feels so easy and natural but it can take a while. It's best to do lots of exercises with pencils and things first, and climbing up and down the bow with your fingers (I call it 'incy wincy spider' with the kids) until all the fingers start to find their correct places and you have exactly the right balance between lightness and weight.

Anyway there's no way you could be expected to get the bow-hold right in one lesson, so don't worry - you'll get there in the end.

Thanks Violinia, 2nd lesson next friday. However although i'd like to i don't expect much difference since i don't have a violin to practice on but still looking forward to the lesson.

I get it now!! you mean the bow hold fingers!! i was confused for a second. Yeah, the bow hold does take awhile to get used to. (I'm learning colle and I want to kill myself)

nd believe me, your piano background will help you so much. At first I thought they are not related at all, it wouldn't help me other than reading music faster, but my teacher told me that I progressed amazingly fast (I am starting suzuki book 4 next week already, and already played and perform at a concert in a community orchestra playing Haydn Symphony (military) and Carnivals of the Animals! You can do it too!!

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I get it now!! you mean the bow hold fingers!! i was confused for a second. Yeah, the bow hold does take awhile to get used to. (I'm learning colle and I want to kill myself)

nd believe me, your piano background will help you so much. At first I thought they are not related at all, it wouldn't help me other than reading music faster, but my teacher told me that I progressed amazingly fast (I am starting suzuki book 4 next week already, and already played and perform at a concert in a community orchestra playing Haydn Symphony (military) and Carnivals of the Animals! You can do it too!!
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woooow!!! that's great!!!!!!!! i'm very happy for you! congrats! aah carnival of animals, i like "The Swan" best, it's so deep. Thanks very much for your comments and encouragement. tomorrow i have an other lesson and maybe finally i will get myself to order a violin! Did any of you ever order from Liz? I've read very good responses over the net and at this forum but i'm afraid of buying such a delicate instrument over the net and having it shipped! Any experiences pls! (sorry liz i'm not doubting your service at all, you are very nice and patient but i'm a bit concerned, so asking other ppl for experiences).

Yes - I've had three different instruments from her (the latest one last month) and they have all been fantastic! She really is 100% reliable and helpful!

W

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Yes - I've had three different instruments from her (the latest one last month) and they have all been fantastic! She really is 100% reliable and helpful!

W
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Thanks willobie, anyone else maybe from outside the UK?

[quote name='ilovebunnies' date='Jun 19 2008, 12:08 PM' post='711513']
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Did any of you ever order from Liz? I've read very good responses over the net and at this forum but i'm afraid of buying such a delicate instrument over the net and having it shipped! Any experiences pls! (sorry liz i'm not doubting your service at all, you are very nice and patient but i'm a bit concerned, so asking other ppl for experiences).
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Yes I've had a violin from Liz and it was great - just what I was hoping for with a lovely sound. I wouldn't worry about shipping - I had several sent through the post and they are so well packed they come to no harm at all. I've heard nothing but great praise for Liz's instruments and service and highly recommend her myself

I've also had a violin from Liz and am very happy both with it & the speed at which it safely arrived.

I can also confirm that you have absolutely no risk in dealing with Liz and David at Elida - they are very professional, very helpful people. Go ahead and order if you've decided on a gliga - they are definitely the people to help you out.

Allan

(enjoy tomorrow's lesson !)

THANKS everybody! i think i will have to place an order on a little thingy this weekend. I'll keep

Yes, me: I live in Norway, and I ordered a Gliga Gama from Liz last year. I'm very satisfied, both with the instrument itself and with the help and advice from Liz.

Thanks to you all, this makes me feel a bit better.

Sorry, I live in the states, so I had to order from violinlovers, but if I were in UK or anywhere closer, I will order from Liz without a doubt. Go for it.

I ordered mine online as well, and seriously, testing over 20 instruments in the same price range (or slightly higher), the GAMA beats everyone!!

Hi, Thanks to you all, i've just ordered a Gliga Genial 1. THANKS A LOT let's party

CONGRATULATIONS

Thanks rosfrog!! i just hope it arrives soon!!!

I've just remembered that i did not tell you how my 2nd lesson went. it went soooo fast! i did not notice an hour was already over. it was ok just a bit not-so-nice-like-last-time cause we concentrated on the bow-hold. It's amazing how basic things can be so difficult on the violin! I never thought just a violin hold could be so complicated to learn! But i still don't lose hope (yet). I hope i get my violin to practice at home and improve.