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Hello. I play violin for 3.5 month and I want to share a few observations about it. This information may be helpful to those who just have taken a violin in their hands.
1. Don`t keep in mind the idea that violin is one of the most difficult instruments.
It isn`t important. Don`t spend your time for such a kind of thinking.
2. Always plan your work!
It is more effective when you do it in writing.
3. Read books about violin and music!
It is easier to built your practical skills when you already have a theoretical model of it in your mind. For instance, Carl Flesch "the art of violin playing".
4. Don`t worry if your intonation is bad.
It will become better over time. Don`t try to understand the difference between B and C by any rational method. People, in general, aren`t able to count a number of HZ to identify notes. Instead, try to "feel" them. Just hear! After a few time you will be able to put your fingers exactly on notes! Moreover, it will become better and better everyday.
5. Feel yourself relaxed when you are playing.
In case of any tension put aside your violin for 5 minutes.

Great tips. I came for motivation today.. and to catch up on the goings on. I think this is a good plan for everyone!
On intonation, it seemed when I was first learning my teacher was not big on intonation..she was more about bowing and using the right finger..high middle, low middle. She never stopped me and said I had to the wrong note. As an adult beginner this bothered me. I think sometimes now I am too worried about intonation, but it there such a thing as worrying about it and fine tuning it too much? I mean the idea is to play the right note.
Anyway...I am not arguing the point, just thinking about it and how I feel about it.
Cheers. Thanks again, very good tip sheet.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

Advanced member


Hi Hi Barry.. I am a fellow self beater-up-er. I think at this point in my playing, I am more thankful for paying attention and checking tone often, than if I had ignored it... seems better for it to come second nature to the ear and finger if learned well at first.
But I again that is just me, as I am having to relearn things from the first year that I botched... I am glad that intonation is not my worst issue. (death grip is back in my life).
I am also just grumpy about how it seems progress slows around the 2 plus year mark..for big progress it takes even bigger commitment than in the beginning....well it seems that way..however the rewards are sweeter and the sounds don't hurt the ears (as much).
Toni
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

Honorary tenured advisor
Regulars

Yea, I'm not going along with the intonation thing. I think it would be fair to say, don't become obsessed by intonation to the exclusion of all else. The thing is, you can have the greatest technique in the world, but if your intonation is off it isn't going to sound good. It's something you should always strive for and continue working on forever Here is a demonstration of excellent technique, but...
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright

Members

I think it might just be how it was stated in the original post..
"Don't worry if your intonation is bad"
.. but Hurton does say to use your ears and that it will get better with practice. To me, that isn't saying it isn't important, just acknowledging that it won't be perfect at first and that it will take work to get it better.
One tip that I would add is:
Practice regularly.
Daily is best. Even 20 min a day done almost every day is likely to give better results than an hour or two done just once in a while.
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman

Advanced member


Member

Hurton said
Hello. I play violin for 3.5 month and I want to share a few observations about it. This information may be helpful to those who just have taken a violin in their hands.
1. Don`t keep in mind the idea that violin is one of the most difficult instruments.
It isn`t important. Don`t spend your time for such a kind of thinking.2. Always plan your work!
It is more effective when you do it in writing.3. Read books about violin and music!
It is easier to built your practical skills when you already have a theoretical model of it in your mind. For instance, Carl Flesch "the art of violin playing".4. Don`t worry if your intonation is bad.
It will become better over time. Don`t try to understand the difference between B and C by any rational method. People, in general, aren`t able to count a number of HZ to identify notes.Instead, try to "feel" them. Just hear! After a few time you will be able to put your fingers exactly on notes! Moreover, it will become better and better everyday.
5. Feel yourself relaxed when you are playing.
In case of any tension put aside your violin for 5 minutes.
Hi. Can i study Violin by myself?
I plan to watch violin video online and buy violin guide books to learn it myself at home. Now i 'm trying to learn the basic knowledge and making note from fiddlerman website and bookstore, other website etc. I'm still afraid that i cant learn it well because i didn't have any basis for music until now.
Wish to hear your voice and suggests. Thank you^^

Members

Sure you can study it by yourself!
If you can take lessons with a teacher, it will almost always go easier/faster than doing it on your own.. But if you can't, sure you can do it yourself. Many of us here do.
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman

I am amused at the excitement
Twinkle, twinkle can generate
Any average person has some musical ability.
But average stays average without the instruction of a good teacher.
Self-taught might be totally adequate for the "venue".
I find that the lack of a teacher is becoming painfully obvious but it's all in the "fine print" . The Ladies Auxiliary loves me but a few folks know better.
On the other hand I know I will never be satisfied.

Regulars

@Xubinghui
Of course you can! I'm in a place where i don't have a violin teacher here so I'm self taught. I just the critique corner here, by posting videos of my playing, so that the more expiranced players can help with any bad habits i'm forming! It really is possible, especially if money is also an issue and taking lessons is just to expensive. I've found it to be an amazingly fun journey! Good luck!!! You may never become "professional" being self taught, but then again if thats your goal anything is possible if enough time patience and will power are involved. I play just for myself so I'm very content!
Lead me, Follow me, or get out of my way!
~General George S. Patton

Member

Thank you @Fiddlerman
I wish i can play it well one day.
My motivation to study violin will be let violin becomes my interests in life.
Now i got lots of time to learn violin. I'm still searching for the book with Entry-Level. So i didn't start it yet. Can you recommend one book for me? Thank you!

Member

Thank you for your encouragement. @ rockinglr33
It's a good idea. I will learn this way to avoid bad habits.
Yeah it's also very expensive to take a lesson at my hometown. I was upset When i went to Music Studio to consult for Violin by self learning, They told me that it's better to take a lesson to learn Violin, It's hard to learn it well by self taught. Violin it's the most difficult instrument; also it needs to be started when you was a kid..
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