Hello, this whole forum is a treasure - I have never played an instrument (I grew up on a farm in rural yorkshire!) and at the age of 50 took up the violin.

I LOVE it, or more exactly, I LOVE Milly (I know, sad, but my violin has a name).

I have had 9 lessons and a car accident which set me back a few weeks but I am on tume 40 in 'Fiddletime' joggers and play as much as I can.

I am about to go onto the 4th finger which everyone seems to have problems with, any ideas for strengthening the little digit????

Also has anyone any suggestions for other 'tune' books I could use?

Hey *wave*

I took up the violin this year as an adult beginner and just wanted say you rock for doing this, especially never having played an instrument before!! Awesome!!

Try the abracadabra books, they're gret for beginners and have lots of nice pictures.


Welcome to the wonderful world of violining!

Hello there!

Regarding the little finger. This is probably not the most helpful answer, but I can only suggest practising little and often. You need to get used to it gradually, especially if your hands are small. It is not a natural thing for your little finger to do, so using it too much, too soon can lead to tendon problems. I would suggest working with your little finger for no more than a couple of minutes at a time to start with.

Tune books - I would have a look at some books of folk tunes. Most pieces are short, many of them are made up of basic rhythms and most of the notes fall easily under your fingers. Better still, they are proper tunes (I always felt a bit silly playing Row, row, row your boat and Hopping Along as an adult piano student!).

Must say, it's an incredibly brave thing to do to start learning an instrument at 50. Best of luck and keep enjoying it. Being able to play music is the best gift ever.

x

You might find this thread and this thread interesting then!

I'm not a string player but I look in here from time to time Welcome to the forums, especially another Yorkshirite!

Thank you I will check out the books!

Welcome!

Fiddletime and Abracadabra are good books to start with. Have a look at Fiddletime Christmas too - there are some pieces in there that you'll have fun learning in the next few months.

4th finger does get more reliable as time passes. When you're starting out don't be surprised to find that you can't get pinky to do anything (I still remember the particular struggle I had on the G string) - it will get better.

Enjoy!

The more you use 4th finger the better the sound you will make with it. Remeber to put the other fingers down at the same time when using it so as it strengthen it and make a clearer sound with it.

Hello Indigwolf

I started two years ago and my violin is called Martha! (Her maker named her and it's written on her label inside).

Back then my little finger would just not behave itself and I though it would never stretch and play in tune. Now it's no problem

Have fun - it's so easy to fall in love with the violin

Mmmm? Do you mean move the other fingers to be near the 4th finger when you put it down (rather then stretch the 4th finger while I keep the others 'in place' on the strings)

thank you :

No you must stretch the 4th finger.

Put the fingers down in their natural positions so as to strengthen 4th finger.

Remember you must get used to stretching the 4th finger.

Okay - my little finger is LITTLE. It comes just over half way between the joints of the third finger.

Is that little for a little finger?

well id depends which joints. my little fingers are halfway between the 2nd and 3rd joint of 3rd finger (assuming that the knuckle is the 1st)

I think you're worring about this 4th finger too much, you're only just starting and 4th finger is HARD. it will come with time and practice.

x

I remeber learning 4th finger, My teahcer forced me to use it ratheer than just going on ot open strings.

The more you use it the better you become.