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Newbie on journey
Newbie from North Yorkshire UK
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phil
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March 2, 2019 - 1:20 pm
Member Since: June 30, 2016
Forum Posts: 7
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Hi all

Just started my violin journey 3 weeks ago. I have a teacher and the first thing he did was rip my tapes off, probably a good idea. Been doing the normal open string exercises, onto first finger on A string this week. I knew it was going to be hard but I feel like I have to be a contorcinast just to reach the g string let alone try and play a relaxed note.I have played ukulele for a few years I guess that was hard in the beginning. I think the worst thing is not being able to play anything that sounds remotely like a song. And that everybody including myself cringes when I play it.Even the dog doesn't know what to make of it.

Anyway nice to be part of your community and if anybody can remember these difficult times and give me a bit of encouragement it will be hugely appreciated. 

Thanks Phil.

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Mouse
March 2, 2019 - 1:46 pm
Member Since: December 26, 2018
Forum Posts: 5309
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Welcome to the site.

You will get there, just be patient. It takes a little while. 

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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HP
Trondheim, Norway
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March 2, 2019 - 2:05 pm
Member Since: October 11, 2012
Forum Posts: 404
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Welcome on board, Phil. Sounds like you're off to a good start. Trust me, in short amount of time you'll feel like violin playing is second nature. Just give it time and patience. 

'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.

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MoonShadows
Stroudsburg, PA

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March 2, 2019 - 3:05 pm
Member Since: January 30, 2019
Forum Posts: 636
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Remember these difficult times? I'm living them! I just started 3 1/2 weeks ago, so I'm right with you. Welcome to the Fiddlerman Forum @phil. This is a wonderful forum with a lot of helpful members at all levels. I know you will enjoy yourself here.

Jim

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Pete_Violin
Utah

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March 3, 2019 - 3:12 am
Member Since: March 25, 2018
Forum Posts: 456
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@phil

Everything! And I mean everything you are experiencing is normal for learning violin.

The violin is the most difficult instrument in the orchestra.  And the most rewarding. 

You have an excellent teacher!!!!! Get rid of those tapes as soon as you can!  I am sure that's what he was thinking.  They are little more than a nuisance.  And they hinder vital skills to develop your ear, which you need to work on as soon as possible.  So keep this teacher!  He knows what he is doing.  

The discomfort as you play and as you reach strings is normal but will not last long.  It will get better and your teacher will make sure you are using good posture so you won't hurt yourself. 

Playing scales slowly will help with fingering so do not neglect your scales.  

It sounds like you are doing well!! Practice EVERY day  

And keep playing!

- Pete -

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mookje
The Netherlands
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March 3, 2019 - 9:38 am
Member Since: July 29, 2018
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Hello and welcome to the forum. Playing the violin is difficult but it’s also a great and beautiful adventure, don’t hurry things, slow practice will reward!

Lots of fun with playing the violin 🎻 

 Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about dancing in the rain!!

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
March 4, 2019 - 4:38 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Welcome to the forum Phil,

Had you been playing a bit before visiting this teacher?
I personally never had tapes or marks on my fiddle and turned out OK.

I suppose this teacher also tested that you could hear the difference between a note that is too high or too low. 😁

Sending encouragement now as requested 👍

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

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Mark
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March 4, 2019 - 7:44 pm
Member Since: September 30, 2014
Forum Posts: 2149
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Phil, 

Welcome to the fourm.

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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phil
Members
March 5, 2019 - 9:09 pm
Member Since: June 30, 2016
Forum Posts: 7
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Fiddlerman said
Welcome to the forum Phil,

Had you been playing a bit before visiting this teacher?
I personally never had tapes or marks on my fiddle and turned out OK.

I suppose this teacher also tested that you could hear the difference between a note that is too high or too low. 😁

Sending encouragement now as requested 👍  

I hadn't played much but every tutorial apart from yours used tapes so I just thought it was the norm. I don't think it would have helped much anyway it's easy to be a little bit off the tape.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
March 6, 2019 - 12:27 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429
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You are right. It's hard to be off the tapes and even know where your fingers should touch the tape.

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

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