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Frequency of Lesson?
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FinalPatriot
NW Atlanta

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September 12, 2012 - 10:57 am
Member Since: August 22, 2012
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I was just wondering what the collective thoughts are on how often a beginner should attend classes with an instructor.  Currently, I meet with my instructor once every other week for about 45 minutes to an hour depending on availability.  Between those visits, I spend as much time possible working on music reading and practicing the assignments she gives me along with the learning tools that Pierre has provided on this site.

I have read the opinions of some instructors that in order to actually improve, a new student should attend formal training at least 1 hour per week.  Do you all agree with this statement or is what I'm doing now effective?

Though I have only been playing for about 3 weeks now, I feel that the hours and hours of practice and research are paying off.  Right now, I can actually play songs like Amazing Grace though only the beginner version provided here.

 

Thanks for your thoughts/guidance!

"I know a girl who cries when she practices violin because each note sounds so pure it just cuts into her, and then the melody comes pouring out her eyes. Now, to me, everything else just sounds like a lie."

Conor Oberst
 
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Barry
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September 12, 2012 - 11:05 am
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Ive never had a formal lesson and Ive been playing four years so i cant really chime in on that. But what I can tell you is that no matter where you learn from the thing that REALLY matters is the time and dedication you put into it.You can have the best of everything...teacher, a Strad,etc and it dosent mean a thing if you dont put in the work.

Some of the greatest fiddlers never had a lesson, what they did have was a love for the music.

Not in any way trying to put you off the teacher, wish at times I could of afforded one. But remember, its you pushin' and pullin' the bow

cheers

There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart

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ftufc
SoCal
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September 12, 2012 - 11:46 am
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AMEN Barry! 

Anyone I know who's a great violinist/fiddler today, spent 3 - 6 hrs every day of their life, for several years, practicing.  The teacher (and I believe 45 - 60min sessions as a beginner is ample) really keeps you headed down an accurate path and gives you feedback on what you've been practicing all week.

Most of us don't have that time to commit, as adults, so it takes us longer to reach our goals,,, but we all enjoy the journey so much that we paddle when we can and just have fun with it.

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FinalPatriot
NW Atlanta

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September 12, 2012 - 12:10 pm
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ftufc said
AMEN Barry! 

Anyone I know who's a great violinist/fiddler today, spent 3 - 6 hrs every day of their life, for several years, practicing.  The teacher (and I believe 45 - 60min sessions as a beginner is ample) really keeps you headed down an accurate path and gives you feedback on what you've been practicing all week.

Most of us don't have that time to commit, as adults, so it takes us longer to reach our goals,,, but we all enjoy the journey so much that we paddle when we can and just have fun with it.

3-6 hours?  We could only be so lucky.  Typically, it's bathe the kids, put them to bed, put them to bed again when they get up and run our the house a few times, and then finally, when the dust settles for the night, I get to practice.  It's pretty much the same schedule I had when working on my degree but instead of writing endlessly dull papers on topics that nobody cares about, I get to do something that's actually fun.

 

Somewhat off topic but one of my fellow Soldiers informed me today that he doesn't have much respect for the fiddle or such music.  Is it wrong if I chastise him for such blasphemy and inform him he an agent of the devil sent to lead astray true practitioners of music?  That's probably going a bit far but should be funny either way...

"I know a girl who cries when she practices violin because each note sounds so pure it just cuts into her, and then the melody comes pouring out her eyes. Now, to me, everything else just sounds like a lie."

Conor Oberst
 
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