Hello,

At the ripe old age of 58, I have decided, at long last to learn to play the Violin. Can any one give me some constructive advice in relation to all aspects of learning and practicing this beautiful instrument.
Thankyou.

Hi Don
Good luck with learning the violin.

Hi Don!

I don't believe there is any such thing as too old. Check out the Alderly Edge Orchestra (you'll have to google them down) - the leader of the second violins there has a little write up where he explains he only took violin up as an adult because of an opportunity to get lessons from someone he worked with.

If you want to make any progress, however, I think you need to take some care in finding a good teacher and getting some lessons.

Happy hunting!

Don,
congratulations, go for it. "It's Never too late to fall....for a violin"
I have just taken up the violin too and I am 40 next month. We have had loads of discussions recently (see below)

My first lesson in years

Improving pitch on the Violin

Violin Grade 1 Exam

Good luck and keep us all posted about your progress.

Gae

Hi Don

It is never too late, and you MUST go for it!!!

I was a little younger than you when I started (44), and I passed my Grade 4 last summer. I think I make slower progress than I would have done as a child learner, and it is a challenge to fit the practice time in with my jobs. (I am now 51, but I don't let myself believe this most of the time)

BUT I have to say it is the best thing I have ever done. It has so utterly and completely changed my life so much for the better. I play regularly in the local orchestra (well play might be a bit ambitious, I do a lot of air- bowing at the back of the seconds and join in when I can), and I also play in a string quartet, which is not for public consumption but for our own enjoyment.

I also really enjoy going to concerts and listening to repertoire I never knew existed before I started with the violin. I can't believe now that I never heard a Beethoven violin sonata before I fell in love with the violin, oh all those wasted years!!!

Hints and tips? Get a good teacher, bad habits are hard to break so you have to sure that you are developing the good habits from day one. And listen to the maestros play, it will inspire you beyond all measure.

Good Luck on the journey.

Jane

Hi Don

I would say go for it too I am an older beginner (22) and it's been the best thing ever to have a go at an instrument that I thought I would never have a chance of playing.

Enjoy it
Joy

My two pieces of advice: GET A GOOD TEACHER! And, enjoy!

Thankyou all who replied to my first mailing re- "are you ever too old". You have all inspired me to carry on enjoying my new venture. I hope you will be there with the same sort of advice and encouragement when 'my Music' doesn't sound quite like it should (which is fairly often)
Best Wishes to you all and thanks again.
Don.

Don, my violin playing doesn't sound quite like it should a lot of the time dont worry. The weird thing is that when my violin and I are warmed up I start to sound reasonably good and get quite confident and then suddenly it all starts going awry. Sometimes I accidentally put my fingers on the wrong string, other times, when concentrating on the music so much, my bow slides right down the fingerboard or almost up to the bridge. The first realisation of these things happening is when I first hear the horrible grinding and squeaking sounds emanating from the place where previously I could hear sweet music!!
I suppose its all part and parcel of learning and getting to grips with technique. It just makes me try harder and I have the imagination to know that further down the road, the violin will feel like a part of me and I will have complete control over it. Only time will tell!

Gae

P.S. My "A Tune a Day Book 2" arrived today and I've started the first few excercises.

Hi Don

I'm 57, I took up the violin at 41 adn I've never regreted it, I find it a form of relaxation, go for it

Playing the violin help keeps you young too...our orchestra recently celebrated the 90th birthday of one of our 2nd violinists who is still going strong (Beet 9 coming up soon!). He has the music photocopied larger and a special music stand with a light to help visibility.

hi don...
one very important thing: get a good teacher. i've learnt the violin for a year now. but not long ago i met a teacher (a first violin in one of my country's BEST orchestra) and he told me that all my techniques are wrong...! so what i have been doing for the last 12 months is wrong. that is so sad.
good luck!

hey i started violin at 42!
although i did learn clarinet and piano when i was young. i think when you learn an instrument as an adult you do it because you want to, rather than have to do it as part of the whole school exam thing.....
it took me 30+ years to realise that learning an instrument properly could be an enjoyable experience.
cheers
phil