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Red Desert Violin - I saw they were offering purchased lessons, and I'm trying to get through Suzuki without lessons while its busy at work (or even to supplement lessons when I have time to get back to them)...feeling a little like I'm lacking some of the technique needed to plow on, got the finger positions kinda OK-ish with FM vids (thank you FM!) but feel like I'm at a standstill now...she seems easy to understand from the freebie lessons I've watched....
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Mimi Aysha said
Red Desert Violin - I saw they were offering purchased lessons, and I'm trying to get through Suzuki without lessons while its busy at work (or even to supplement lessons when I have time to get back to them)...feeling a little like I'm lacking some of the technique needed to plow on, got the finger positions kinda OK-ish with FM vids (thank you FM!) but feel like I'm at a standstill now...she seems easy to understand from the freebie lessons I've watched....
@Mimi Aysha I think the success of online violin lessons varies from one person to the other. It depends on an individual’s way of learning, an individual’s need for more formal structure, another characteristic whose word has slipped my mind, and other things.
I tried it. I did not fair too well. It was not a formal structure. I really had a hard time finding my way around the site, had no idea when to advance up, etc. I am a more structured learner and need visual, sound, and and actual instructor. I did an English class online and it was wonderful. I loved it. But, it was through our local community college. The size was the same size as a classroom so there was still the individual touch of the professor and the “class discussion”.
The online violin lesson, for me, did not have that personal touch where you know the instructor has read what you wrote (using my English class here), took part in the discussions, etc. It just did not agree with my learning needs.
That said, even if you don’t need the structure, being able to navigate the site is a must. I did not get the idea of that site. It was convoluted. It took me forever just to find where I left off. I had no idea where to go next. That is an important factor. Is the site navigable for you?
I also needed feedback. It was all canned. It was an online site and there was no way she could answer everyone with much needed personal comments. The canned comments, fit my circumstance, but were not sufficient. I had questions about the comments and I had to submit them and then I was in a holding pattern until I got an answer.
If you can do it, and that is what is available for hour circumstances, no reason not to try if that is what you want. You, or anyone can’t really go by others’ experiences, but they can read others’ experiences and apply that to your learning needs.
Does that help any?
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I just started playing and signed up a week ago, but I do not think I will be continuing and I will be cancelling.
First, I think she does seem to do a very good job demonstrating and explaining, especially for a complete beginner. If you are looking for in depth explanations on what to be doing with the Suzuki method and what you should be learning from each lesson or piece, her videos are very good at that.
What I do not like about the site is that it is a fairly poor site, especially for the cost.
The navigation is poor, and would have been considered poor even 20 years ago. The videos are buggy and inconsistent: Some I can airplay, some I cannot. Some I can detach to a new window, some I cannot. Sometimes one will just get stuck in a play loop and I have to close the page and navigate back to get to it.
I have taken other lessons online for other instruments and things, and at this price point, most will allow at least one submission per month for feedback, and they actually have actual member areas setup like a forum where you can get official feedback as well as feedback and discussion with other members.
All in all, what she offers would be better suited (and less annoying) on a DVD or Blue Ray.
The other part of it is in how the content is rolled out. You get a couple of units with a number of lessons in each unit each month. The first month goes over a lot of things, holding the bow, holding the violin, basic bowing, up to the first two variations of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Then you have to wait a month for the next couple of units. It is timed out so it will be 7 months to go through Book 1. Which, from what I have read, seems a reasonable pace.
But, it then comes down to pacing like Cid mentioned. But, you do not have any feedback on when to move to the next lesson or unit.
It's not my cup of tea by any means. But, there is a sale for 1/2 off the first month right now, so it's not a huge expense to try it out.
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There are, of course, different types of online lessons. The ones with some kind of interaction work best. Many teachers teach live one-on-one lessons or group lessons through Skype or Zoom; those are the next best thing to in-person lessons. Some programs, such as Violin Lab, offer feedback through video exchange.
I don't consider canned tutorial videos to be an online "lesson" or "class" at all, more of a guide to self-teaching.
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I haven't really checked anyones courses out but if you feel that it's not that beneficial, I don't blame you. I'm sure they all differ quite a bit.
Which one did you try out?
I checked out your Twinkle and was very impressed for being a beginner. Great job on that.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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The one I checked out was RDV, Red Desert Violin.
I did not see it being beneficial for myself, perhaps because I do have a music background. Andrew hit the nail on the head. The way it's structured it is really more like tutorials, and not lessons.
Her tutorials are very good, but, the price point is where you would expect to start getting some sort of feedback and interaction.
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Thanks all! - I had already got the fiddle secrets for half price on RDV, I'm liking it, there's about 9 vids and very informative, (Stuff I totally never knew) - I'm not going to sign up for any long term monthly stuff....didn't realize you had to wait to move on and pay monthly, that’s not for me...
Greg mentioned Artistworks (very tempting and half off!), looks great for the amount of instruction. Ton of stuff...I didn't know there were so many....I'm going to look at all the others that you guys said too...
And yes, I guess not lessons, just technique and stuff to practice, and be able to rewind and watch again, cause goodness knows I listen at the lesson, then I get home and I totally forget everything....seriously!
I've started trying to play along with a lady on YouTube that plays through all the Suzuki songs, and I'm liking that, I just watch her hands and bowing and try to copy it, and see if I can keep up, so that'll keep me busy for a while!
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Have any of you tried Trala?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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looks interesting @fiddlerman. It looks like it has a kind of Intonia app built into it. is this going to be similar to a piano marvel type app where you play along with the app and get continuous type feedback? looks like they've chosen some good bundles for students!
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oooo - looks like you can try it for 7 days ....then pay monthly if you like it - that's worth a try - thanks FM
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Zilthy - Thanks for the heads up on RDV I agree with you, old website, the vids are little and oddly laid out... the actual video content seems good, I feel kinda bad for her that the website is such a mess...
Fiddlerman site
I went through almost all the FM vids last night, playing along to the "tune a week" could keep up with a few more than last time I tried - forgot how much fun it was...this site is the best free resource....thanks FM, thanks for not making us pay - I can't imagine the time and dedication needed to keep all this up...
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I am subscribed to Violin Lab. violinlab.com
Beth Blackerby has reworked that site for 2020. She now offers a video preview addition that lets a player submit videos of themselves for critique by her. There's a Once-a-month video submission plan and a weekly one I think. Since I am also taking lessons locally I'm trying to decide if I want the video submission features. I am presently subscribed to only the training videos and the practice course which I feel is a pretty good value. TBH I haven't used the materials as much as I thought I would.
The site comes from a predominately classical training perspective. I think a person who has those skills is a better fiddler too. JMOP YMMV.
Many of the lessons include soundslice files. Her site a a large repository of training videos. She has been playing since she was probably 4 , so she is probably over qualified to teach beginning violin. I wouldn't necessarily call her lessons all beginnier lessons either. Some of the pieces she pulls to play have some complexity to them. All depends on what you choose to play.
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Thanks for the heads up on Violin Lab Starise, looking at the site right now. I may have to check that one out. 
Update: After a quick look, I did sign up. I really like what I see so far.
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It's always sad when these hackers are successful. It's happened to me too in the past. Usually just messing up the website rather than getting a hold of personal information.
WordPress is constantly improving security.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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