How long will it take me to play violin at an average level?

Question

I understand music theory. I've played brass instruments that require a good ear to determine notes. I've also played guitar for several years and recently picked up mandolin (same tuning, different handling and slightly finger positions).

I've been playing for two weeks now and I can do a couple scales and a couple melodies. However I sometimes still run into the squeaking or playing the notes too sharp.

The problem is my mom won't pay for lessons unless she thinks I can play slightly better than I do now. I've tried to explain that this is a hard one to learn without an instructor, but with the price of gas these days, no one is willing to shell out money on something that isn't worth it.

So: no instructor, previous work with string and "guess the tone" instruments. Two weeks of playing, understand the theory and have a general knowledge of where the notes are.

Also I have all summer completely free to practice. Violinists, what say you!

Answer 1

I am a cellist...but I say anything is possible if you devote time to it. Perhaps you should buy a sort of structured lesson book, such as Suzuki...which isn't a replacement for a private teacher but will help. I also find it very helpful to practice in front of a mirror, in fact, my teacher told me that simply observing your motions in front of a mirror will teach me more than a lesson with him. Read more on positioning of the bow, your bow arm, and finger positions...these basics you need to know now as to not get into wrong habits.

As to your question, I'm not quite sure what you're asking. You can play violin now....although it may not sound too great. Say that you practice two hours a day for two months...if you keep that up, then you should be able to get rid of the squeaks and begin to pay more attention to minor details such as bow pressure and begin to vibrato. If your mom says you aren't ready for a private teacher then, I don't know what will! Also, if your mom sees how devoted you are to practicing, she will definitely see more reason to spend money to get you a teacher.

Answer 2

I'm afraid I have to agree with the previous answer, there are certain skills that only a teacher or someone experienced in playing the violin can teach.

But nevertheless here are some tips you might find helpful.

The sqeaking is usually due to holding the bow in slightly the wrong way, or slouching your right shoulder too much. So i would say maybe just practice holding your violin and bow in an upright position and make sure your chin is properly on the violin and not just balancing on the side. Also make sure that your wrist is nice and loose, the more flexable your wrist is, the smoother the bow will run along the strings.

As for the sharp notes, I would say the more you practice the easier it will get, even experienced musicians run into bum notes every once in a while! But practice definitaly improves that, as you fingers will eventually find their own place.

I would also recommend Suzuki, it has a lot of short exercises designed to improve basic skills and it's really good that you understand the theory as it will definatly help.

Violin is a hard instrument to play but when you get used to it, it gets a lot easier. Be committed and also don't give up, because there are times it can be very very frustrating, but it's worth it in the end! I hope I was of some help to you! Good luck!

Answer 3

I play several instruments, but my one regret in life is that I never learned to play violin.  So I say practice practice practice all summer and you'll be able to convince your mom to pay for the lessons this fall.

Answer 4

What I say is, and I'm sorry to tell you this, but you simply *cannot* learn to play this instrument without a teacher, preferably a private teacher, as public school teachers do not have time to teach student individually.

It takes about five years to begin to get into the violin -- and that's with a good, private teacher.

See:

(2)  How to teach yourself the violin.

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