Hello everyone,

I've been reading the forums with great interest for the last month. I've been quite inspired by some of the stories I've read and so have decided to register myself.

I've just turned 50 and have been learning the violin for 5 months. I'm really enjoying it. The more I practise the more I want to practise. I'm toying with the idea of taking up piano too. I'd really love too but am worried that it might slow down my progress on the violin as I'd have to split my available practice time between 2 instruments.

By the way, I play guitar as well. I took lessons about 25 years ago after teaching myself lots of bad habits which I could never eradicate. I never took any exams but my teacher at that time suggested I should try taking Grade 7. I'm sure I'd have failed it!

I look forward to maybe hearing from some of you.

Hi bvgdez (hmm, had to look twice before I could type that!)

Welcome to the Forums.

I think you are right to concentrate on one instrument for now - it sounds as though you are getting on really well with the violin. Perhaps set yourself a goal eg when I can play at grade x standard, I'll take up another instrument - might inspire you to continue practising if you hit any rough patches!

Good luck

Welcome!

Glad you've joined bygdez, as you've probably seen there are quite a lot of adult learners here so welcome to the club!

Hello and to the forums.

You'll find that the 'adult learners' section is quite active. Hope you enjoy your time here.

to the forums, bvgdez! Glad to see you are a violinist - there can never be too many of them in the world!

Thanks very much for the warm welcome, everyone.


@SueHM: I think I'll see how I feel about the piano in a month or so. If I still have the urge I think I'll go for it. I've just today received the ABRSM books for grade 1 and 2 so I'll see how difficult they are for me. After I'd ordered them I found out that one of the pieces I'm learning (Baklanova, Mazurka) is actually a grade 4 piece. Not that I'm really up to that standard yet but the piece doesn't seem to be dreadfully difficult, which I found rather encouraging.

@Misterioso: you're the first person who's called me a violinist! I hope that in a few years or more I might actually deserve to be called such.

I shall now take a wander over to the upper strings beginners' forum. Look forward to seeing you all on the forums.

to the forum bvgdez!

Welcome! I *love* Vienna! I must get back there one day soon...