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What have I gotten myself into. I'm 25, your stereotypical college jock-type guy more comfortable on the field tackling the opposition or surfing paddling into a giant wave. So what was I thinking spending my savings on a violin and getting lessons.
I guess I am feeling down after my second lesson thinking being an amateur guitarist at best, I'd have some carry over of skill and be able to pick up the fiddle a bit easier but how I am wrong as I walk past the little 6 year olds who probably play better than me!
I've got no music theory experience, my arm shivers through the bow when I try to play and even worse I don't think these old joints have enough range; let alone the the joint osteoarthritis plaguing my wrists.
I don't even know what I am posting about. I don't even know if I'm even asking for tips. Any adult beginners have their stories they'd like to share?
What have I gotten myself into?
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Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the club! lol
Enjoy the challenge! Lots of people on this forum are people who learned as an adult, and are new to learning. So you will be in good company. ☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆
World's Okayest Fiddler
☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨* •☆•*¨*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆
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LMAO @Jimjam - d'oh - you're a youngster still !!! WELCOME ! Much older beginner here, but with over 40 yrs guitar and some kbds as a total amateur musician - my biggest regret after some 16 or so months of fiddle ( I usually call it that because of my preferred playing genre ) ? Can you guess ? OK - I'll tell you - not picking the instrument up 40-plus years ago. Seriously !
Enjoy the journey, never be discouraged by the stumbling-blocks, and revel in the progress you make when you can suddenly go "wow, that WORKED". It is an awesome path to follow.
Quote "What have I gotten myself into?" - answer - a fulfilling lifelong passion.
Trust me on that !
Bill
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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A very honest introduction, I hope you don't mind me moving it there.
You are like most people who start with greater expectations, but don't despair, it gets better. The most awkward part is the start when you have to get used to so much new information.
Set a goal for yourself, a reasonable one, and shoot for it. Along with that goal decide how you plan on accomplishing it. A dedicated practice schedule is great, no matter how little. Record yourself. It's great therapy to see that you are actually making progress and progress progress = better playing.
Welcome to the forum and to the fiddle.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
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@Jimjam ,
I'm a much older adult (re)beginner than you are - originally started in my mid 20s and then put it aside - temporarily, I thought - to focus on my dissertation. But then didn't pick it up again until earlier this year, about 20 years after I set it aside. Now I get to see the 6-year old violinist every day right in my own house!
Adult beginners have at least one advantage over children - we can understand that it takes time to learn, and that with practice we will sound better and be able to play more fun pieces. But these early days when we mostly produce somewhat unpleasant sounds are still hard.
For me, it helps to divide my practice time. I devote part of the time to what my teacher has assigned and make it my goal to play it as well as possible, even if it is just Lightly Row or A scale. But then I set aside some time to play some pieces that I really want to play. (I do screen to make sure that they are not too difficult.) Of course I have to start slow, but it is very motivating to hear the pieces get a little better each day.
Keep at it - you'll soon be over the worst of the hump and will have learned enough that you can play some fun pieces.
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Thanks for the support guys, I admittedly did not consider any of this when I picked up the fiddle! When playing the piano only involves tapping the right keys and even the guitar, one does not consider the amount of technique the violin would require.
It will definately be little steps for me from this point onwards and even I now my second week of lessons I have not progressed pass trying to fine tune my bow technique, but I shall take everything on board and hopefully be one to be able to contribute one day in the future or the next era!
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Welcome. It's pretty humbling isn't it? But keep at it. It gets better and much more fun.
Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.
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@1sttimestar, yes it most definately is humbling and at times I just want to punch a wall!
Regulars
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Welcome!
I played when i was younger, early through late teens, then set aside the violin. I picked it back up again and messed around for a few years plunking out tunes i already knew, late last year i finally went for lessons. I might finally be starting to progress.
You'll get there, think of it as learning a new language; if you started to learn french you wouldn't be fluent for a long time, music is the same. Take it slow, read about music theory, watch youtube videos to inspire you. Try to keep a progress log, even if you sound awful at first, you'll be surprised when you look back at how far you've come.
Good luck. Post questions, no matter how inane you think they are, it's good to be part of the community here, you'll find inspiration watching others learn too.
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