Any homeschoolers play violin?

Question

I was wondering what books did you use and if you used any DVD's?

Also, what violin did you start on?

How much did you or do you pay for lessons?

How often do you take lessons?

Any other info would be great!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Lots of homeschoolers take lessons.  For an idea about costs, see:

Lesson Fee Survey

http://beststudentviolins.com/lessonfees...

In order to find a private teacher, see:

How to locate teachers and violin shops

http://beststudentviolins.com/PedagogyTe...

Answer 2

Haha, homeschooling and violin?! I think this question was made for me.  I was homeschooled K-12 and began lessons at age three.  I was taught using the Suzuki method until book 6 when I started standard repertoire peices and etudes.  I am now a senior in college getting my degree in violin.

~I never used DVD's and would recommend that you never do either!

~I like Scherl & Roth student violins.  They are decently priced, stay in tune fairly well, and unless you progress like a prodigy, should last you a few years.  If you continue to get better though, you will start to 'outplay' your violin and will have to get a nicer instrument.

~When I first started teaching I charged $15 a month; the price completely depends on who your teacher is.  I now teach out of a store that charges fifteen dollars a lesson.  The teacher I had before college charged $100 dollars a month, and my college professor charges $100 per hour.  I know some teachers that charge $100 for one half our lesson.  It just depends on how serious you are, where your teacher went to school, and how much in demand they are.

~I have had a violin lesson every week for most of my life.  When I was doing Suzuki I also had group lessons with other students on the weekends in addition to muisc theory classes, orchestra, and quartet rehearsals.  My students get one half hour lesson every week.

~I am Suzuki certified and highly recommend you find a certified Suzuki teacher near you.  Ask if they offer group lessons becuase this is essential to every Suzuki experience.  

~Besides Suzuki Method books, I use the Doflein Method for sight reading, Barbara Barber Scales for the Advanced Violinist, Kreutzer Etudes, and Solos for Young Violinists.

Here are some websites to get you started:

http://www.glaesel.com/index.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_meth...

http://www.violin-world.com/

http://suzukiassociation.org/

http://www.theviolinsite.com/

Answer 3

My kids aren't homeschooled, but they still have piano lessons out of school. It's very common in the UK. They have half an hour each per week, and the teacher supplies the books.

I also play the violin myself - I'd have to say, I really don't think it's something you could learn from books or DVDs. I recommend you find a private tutor - a proper teacher, not just someone else who plays. What violin you need will depend 100% on how big you are, and you really need to find a teacher first and get them to tell you.

Answer 4

I'm a homeschool mom, and I teach violin to my son.  He is six, and just now starting.  I don't use books yet, but I would recommend, for small children, the Suzuki method books and teachers.

Answer 5

i am not homeschooled, but I do know that you can get music lessons through your church or a private tutor, or you may even want to check around local area listings for a music school or school of the arts. The prices vary, depending on where you go and if you rent or buy your first violin, your instructor will help you with that kind of thing. I took lessons once a week, but you can choose when you want to and how often depending on you and your instructor's schedules. I hope I helped!

Answer 6

Hello

Yes I was homeschooled and I did play the violin and I still do!

I take lessons once a week. I started with the Suzuki books and some books my music teacher wrote. I started on a borrowed violin from my music teacher and now I own my own! My music teacher doesn't charge for her lessons, I think she does it because she wants to share her love of music! Hope this helps somewhat! From my own experiences, Violin at times will be very challenging and you may feel like giving up, don't! You will be very happy that stuck it out for a while longer! At least I certainly am happy that I did so!  Good luck!

Answer 7

I wasn't homeschooled, but I took up the violin a few years ago.  First of all - get a teacher!  Even if only for a few lessons.  You don't want to start out by teaching yourself - you'll pick up bad habits (intonation, bow hold, stance, etc).  That will come back to haunt you if you ever want to play with an ensamble.  So find a teacher!  Ask at local musics stores for recommendations.

As for a violin to start on - I recommend renting one for a few months at the beginning.  If you've never played before, you won't know what to look for in a violin, and will easily be ripped off by something that looks nice but sounds awful.  Rent first to get a feeling for what you want in a violin.  And remember that you won't be able to get a good student violin for less than $200.  And if you get a crappy violin, it will only hold you back and frustrate you.

I took weekly lessons for about $20 an hour from a member of the local symphony.  Prices vary a bit by where you live.  If the student is young, I'd recommend going with the Suzuki method - you should be able to find a locally certified teacher.  Good luck!