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New to Violin issues
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SuperMiguel

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March 19, 2015 - 9:21 am
Member Since: March 19, 2015
Forum Posts: 1
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So im a 26 year old guy, never play any instrument in my life, but always wanted too, i sign at my local church, and i wanted to pick-up an instrument to eventually play at church with. So 3 months ago I decided that the instrument i wanted to learn was the violin so rented one, play for few days, didnt really play anything interesting, got my self an instructor, did 2 classes with him, didnt really learn anything, so i got a bit discourage by my inability of playing the violin, and stop also life got really busy (got married, work, new house,etc,etc) so it was very easy for me to put the violin on a closet, so this week i kinda got my mind back into it, got the violin out of closet and went to get a clip on tuner, i tuned it, played for about 15 min got bored and went to do something else, i just found this site and will start doing the introductory videos soon (today/tomorrow) but im actually asking for an advice on how to keep my self encourage into playing, and how can i make my practice session more fun so i could be like one of you guys and OD my self playing the violin :)

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
March 19, 2015 - 2:18 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

The best way to stay motivated is to visit the forum regularly. :)

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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derpyviolinist

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March 19, 2015 - 4:32 pm
Member Since: March 4, 2015
Forum Posts: 13
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I agree with @Fiddlerman but if I can add on to that I'd say you should set goals and play songs/pieces you love. 

"We’re all afraid, you know.. to get up on stage. Maybe you’ll mess up. Maybe they’ll totally reject you. Even so, you grit your teeth and get up on stage anyway. Something compels us… moves us to play music." -Kaori Miyazono

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Shane
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March 20, 2015 - 12:04 am
Member Since: October 23, 2014
Forum Posts: 36
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I agree with all of the above. I have a teacher that is good at keeping me motivated. I also set goals. Every practice session I practice the things assigned, but I also have a piece that's beyond my ability that I really want to be able to play that I work on. It's not so beyond my ability that it's utterly discouraging, I can see progress. Then finally I go back and do a couple of the little exercises that use to give me fits, but are now easy to remind myself how far I've come. Since I started with the lessons about 5 or 6 months ago, I'm amazed at how relaxing I find practicing. It really helps me unwind at the end of the day.

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Bobby
Ohio...Spring Hill, FL soon

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March 20, 2015 - 2:42 am
Member Since: March 14, 2015
Forum Posts: 26
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I just wrote like 12 lengthy paragraphs on this and decided that it was a bit much, lol. 

First, I would certainly recommend a teacher. They can really help you develop the basic fundamentals of playing: holding the violin, holding the bow, left and right-hand techniques, bowing techniques, etc. Most all of us generally start on the same songs, despite starting in different method books. While it can seem absolutely absurd screeching out Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, you must realize there is a very good reason for you starting on a song like that: you already know it.

Decide what type of music you're wanting to play on the violin. Beyond the first couple of songs you may learn on violin, if you're not interested in classical music, than don't play it. If you like pop, country, folk, etc. than you can ask your teacher for help in finding appropriate music in those categories for your current skill level. It's hard to stay motivated playing any instrument if you're not playing the type of music that got you interested in it in the first place.

Set small goals for yourself. There are going to be some really fundamental things playing the violin that you will want to come as close to mastering as you can, as soon as you can. So you can set small goals such as playing a stater scale such as D or A major in time and without hitting a wrong note. Set a goal for being able to get through a scale or easy song with good bowing. You'll find that not only will you feel more satisfied after practicing, but simply practicing the small things well will enable you play the harder things easier and sooner. Also, don't think you have to practice for 2 hours or more everyday right off the bat. 15 minutes worth of conscious practice (that is--being consciously aware of what skill you're working on) is more affective than just playing for 2 hours just to fill in the time. Believe it or not, you'll be amazed how quickly you can develop your ability to play by just working on the small things.

Lastly, remind yourself why you wanted to play violin in the first place, and remind yourself to have fun. You have all the motivation you need, you just need to find the will to get past the ugly stage of learning something new :)

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Schaick
Members

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March 20, 2015 - 8:45 am
Member Since: December 25, 2013
Forum Posts: 878
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Violinist start date -  May 2013  

Fiddler start date - May 2014

FIDDLE- Gift from a dear friend. A 1930-40 german copy, of a french copy of a Stradivarius.  BOW - $50 carbon fiber. Strings - Dominants with E Pirastro Gold string.

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Taper123
Texas

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March 23, 2015 - 10:00 pm
Member Since: February 21, 2015
Forum Posts: 149
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Most days I have been motivated and making progress.   Today, I kept crossing strings, or hitting the wrong notes as I re-learn how to read music.

So I punted...   just had fun making noise.  

I still ended up playing for an hour even if I felt I made no real progress.... but by just admitting to myself it was not gong to be productive session... it helped keep it fun.  Then I realized that just by playing whatever note/pattern popped into my head... that if I added the extra effort to name the note, well... I was still learning and making progress.

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Crazymotive

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March 24, 2015 - 6:22 am
Member Since: January 18, 2012
Forum Posts: 347
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SuperMiguel said
So im a 26 year old guy, never play any instrument in my life, but always wanted too, i sign at my local church, and i wanted to pick-up an instrument to eventually play at church with. So 3 months ago I decided that the instrument i wanted to learn was the violin so rented one, play for few days, didnt really play anything interesting, got my self an instructor, did 2 classes with him, didnt really learn anything, so i got a bit discourage by my inability of playing the violin, and stop also life got really busy (got married, work, new house,etc,etc) so it was very easy for me to put the violin on a closet, so this week i kinda got my mind back into it, got the violin out of closet and went to get a clip on tuner, i tuned it, played for about 15 min got bored and went to do something else, i just found this site and will start doing the introductory videos soon (today/tomorrow) but im actually asking for an advice on how to keep my self encourage into playing, and how can i make my practice session more fun so i could be like one of you guys and OD my self playing the violin :)

It takes time to make noticeable progress on the violin. But as you make progress you will become more and more motivated. Don't just try to practice pieces of music. Also practice scales and arpeggios. It may seem boring at first but as you get better and better at playing them it will make your overall attempts at playing pieces you enjoy easier. If possible join a local community orchestra or some sort of music group. Playing along with others can also be a great motivator.

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
March 25, 2015 - 2:34 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
Forum Posts: 4180
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I had motivation issues my first year.   It was not for the lack on wanting to play, but I got bored because I wasn't playing songs..  Maybe bored isn't the right word.  I even took lessons.. but even then I didn't practice, so after about 12 lessons over 8 months. I discontinued them.  It was so weird..as it was the only thing in the world I wanted to do.  I wonder sometimes if it was because it was harder than I thought.

So I guess sometimes that happens.  

This forum helped me stay motivated.   I had a few new peers here that started when I did Daniel, Denn, Juan, Robert, PF and others and it was very cool and motivating to see what they were learning and joining the FM projects.  

There were also those a few years ahead of us that gave us something to aspire to... Barry, Naska...etc

Many others, too many to name, and I apologize if I left some out. 

My second year a fire was lit inside me.  And look out ...the obsession.  I mean obession took over... Third year even more so.. and now I think about violin more than anything.

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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derpyviolinist

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March 25, 2015 - 4:10 pm
Member Since: March 4, 2015
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@Schaick honestly I've been search high and low for that sheet music. Thabk you sooooo much for sharing!!!

"We’re all afraid, you know.. to get up on stage. Maybe you’ll mess up. Maybe they’ll totally reject you. Even so, you grit your teeth and get up on stage anyway. Something compels us… moves us to play music." -Kaori Miyazono

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Schaick
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March 25, 2015 - 6:17 pm
Member Since: December 25, 2013
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derpyviolinist said
@Schaick honestly I've been search high and low for that sheet music. Thabk you sooooo much for sharing!!!

Youb welbome!! hehe!!  Remember Mushmouth on Fat Albert?

Violinist start date -  May 2013  

Fiddler start date - May 2014

FIDDLE- Gift from a dear friend. A 1930-40 german copy, of a french copy of a Stradivarius.  BOW - $50 carbon fiber. Strings - Dominants with E Pirastro Gold string.

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