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What are your best sources for learning?
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lwest

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March 2, 2019 - 7:06 pm
Member Since: March 2, 2019
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I've always wanted to learn to play the violin, and I just got one yesterday. It came with a lesson book but it doesn't really teach me anything as I thought it might, I really want to understand the fingering mostly, but I would love any resources that you might have found helpful.

I got a left handed violin, and I don't have funds to spend for a teacher now so I'm looking for online help. I've never played an instrument before so I have a lot to learn but I'm excited to get started, thank you!

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ABitRusty
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March 2, 2019 - 8:29 pm
Member Since: February 10, 2019
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Hello lwest!  Have you looked through the free beginner tutorials here?  After those Id check out fiddlehed.  Check him out on youtube first.  Theres a bunch of free tutorials there.  

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FortyNothing
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March 2, 2019 - 8:35 pm
Member Since: January 29, 2019
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YouTube has a bunch of good channels and videos for learning violin. One I like in particular who helped me out was The Online Piano and Violin Tutor. She has a bunch of great videos for new learners. I would start there.

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Mark
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March 2, 2019 - 9:07 pm
Member Since: September 30, 2014
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1west,

Welcome to the fourm and the south paw club.

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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Pete_Violin
Utah

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March 3, 2019 - 2:57 am
Member Since: March 25, 2018
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@lwest

First, congratulations!! You have chosen the best instrument in the world to play!  This is my opinion of course, but I would bet many here would agree!roflol

When you first open a violin lesson book, assuming it is a book1, you will likely be shown very basic instruction.  How to hold a bow, how to hold your violin, how to care for your violin, how to apply rosin to your bow hairs.  This is because it is assumed the reader has not had any instruction whatsoever about violins.  And there are a few things you want to have correct right away (such as the things I mentioned).

The next things you will probably see are very simple tunes that may not even mention fingering position, except of course the few notes you will begin to play. 

My first instruction book did not even have me using the bow at first.  It had me pluck (or play staccato) first.  

I, too, followed my lesson book on my own for about a month, but I had already been playing music for several years before I ever picked up a violin.  I do recommend getting lessons as soon as you can. 

Have fun!  Don't be too stressed at this point about getting into fingering positions. That will come as you play in the book. It will gradually introduce everything.  You can pick up other books too if you don't like the one that came with your violin. I like Essentials for Strings. It is a good series and many violin teachers teach from them.  

And welcome to the forum!

Hope this helps 

- Pete -

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mookje
The Netherlands
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March 3, 2019 - 9:32 am
Member Since: July 29, 2018
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Hello and welcome to the forum 🎻

 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 - 4:01 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

@Iwest - Welcome to the forum.

I'm happy you took the first step. Hopefully we can all help point you in the right direction.

Feel free to introduce yourself, as you did here, on the introduce yourself thread. :)

Cheers!

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

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starise
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March 8, 2019 - 12:17 pm
Member Since: September 9, 2016
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Welcome lwest,

I am not new here as a member but only now beginning to post. Nice to meet you!

I am also a south paw only I am learning to play a right handed violin. I actually think it's an advantage since my left fingers are probably more coordinated. I have heard other lefties comment in similar fashion. It can be done either way. Best to ya.

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