Q&A for How to Play a Violin As a Beginner

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  • Question
    How do I know if a violin is the right size for me?
    Community Answer
    Use a measuring tape or stick, and measure from the side of your neck, along your extended arm, to the middle of your palm (face up). You can look up a violin size chart to determine which size you need, based on your arm length.
  • Question
    Is it possible to learn the violin in a year or two?
    Community Answer
    It certainly is. Practice regularly and push yourself to learn new, more challenging music each time you plateau at an easier level. Attend all of your lessons and ask the teacher for advice on improving, and be sure to act on that. The absolute key is practice, and plenty of it.
  • Question
    Are colored violins good to play?
    Community Answer
    Colored violins are okay for practice or for personal time. Most orchestras will be reluctant to have your colors violin, however, because it will stand out among the others and cause a distraction.
  • Question
    Can I teach myself to play the violin?
    Community Answer
    Yes. However, a teacher is recommended. If you are insistent on teaching yourself, purchase a workbook.
  • Question
    What do I do if my violin breaks?
    Community Answer
    Call a music store, or a place that repairs them. Describe the damage, or bring it in. If it's repairable, compare the repair price to the price of a new one. If repairs are more expensive, purchase a new violin. If they are cheaper or your violin is sentimental to you, get the repairs.
  • Question
    Can I use a family member's violin, or would I have to get a smaller/bigger one?
    Community Answer
    It depends on your arm length; they are usually determined by the violinist's age. If the violin suits your arm length, you can use it. If it is too long/short, you will need to buy a smaller/larger one.
  • Question
    How do I know what size violin I need?
    Community Answer
    You should be just about able to curl your hand around the scroll, or the top part. If you are going to grow a lot more and you don't already have a full size, use caution in buying a violin. It can be a considerable expense to buy a small violin and then switch to a full size later.
  • Question
    Does an electric violin makes the same sound as an acoustic one?
    Community Answer
    They have more of a rock sound, are much louder than acoustic ones and can be used with effects like distortion and delay.
  • Question
    When I play the note of the adjoining string, the volume drops (i.e.: D note on A string or G note on D string). What is happening?
    Community Answer
    You must be putting your fingers on the strings or playing fourth finger because your fingers are holding the strings down to make noise.
  • Question
    Is it possible to learn the violin in a month?
    MongooXe
    Community Answer
    I've had mine for three weeks and I can play only two songs. Not quite Lindsey Stirling, but I'm making music.
  • Question
    What are the names of the strings on a violin?
    Community Answer
    The notes of the strings on a violin are named E,A,D,G, from right to left.
  • Question
    Why does the bow curve away from the hair when I tighten it?
    Community Answer
    The bow should not be curving at all. If you notice a curve in the wood, that means the hair tension is too high, and you should loosen your bow. The space between the bow hair and the stick should be index finger width at most.
  • Question
    My tones are rough and crooked. How do I make them smooth?
    MongooXe
    Community Answer
    Make sure the bow isn't drifting around on the strings or too close to the bridge. It should be about centered between the bridge and fingerboard.
  • Question
    Is it too late to start at thirteen? I already play the flute and piano.
    Top Answerer
    It is never too late to learn. If you already play two instruments it will probably come easier to you since you have a musical background.
  • Question
    Can I teach myself to play the violin?
    Community Answer
    Yes it is possible to learn without a teacher, but a teacher is recommended.
  • Question
    Is it easy to learn to play the violin as a beginner?
    Community Answer
    It can get hard at times, but it's worth it. The more you practice and stick with it, the easier it will become to learn new things.
  • Question
    I had a teacher to learn the basics and I know how to play now, do I still need the teacher? I am also going to be joining an orchestra with a teacher.
    Community Answer
    A private teacher is still recommended. Even in an orchestra, the conductor's main focus is more on the group rather than the individual. A professional one-on-one instructor is advised for students of all levels so you can grow individually as a student and move higher up in your orchestra.
  • Question
    How do I become a better violin player when I'm not very good?
    Community Answer
    Practice, practice, practice. If you can afford it, start taking lessons. If you can't, purchase a workbook. I recommend Sound Innovations:Violin, Book 1. Even if you can get a teacher, still get the workbook for private time.
  • Question
    Can I still learn it if I am 16 years old?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    How can I teach my grandchildren how to read music?
    Ankara11
    Community Answer
    You can teach them by giving them music lesson books. I recommend Essential Elements 2000 for Strings.
  • Question
    How do I hold a bow when playing the violin?
    Community Answer
    I hold mine with my thumb and index finger at the black rubber piece, with the screw thing touching my hand, and the rest of my fingers a bit below. I think the last part is mostly personal preference, so try to figure out what works the best for you.
  • Question
    How do I do the vibrato on the strings?
    Community Answer
    You simply let your fingers vibrate on the strings. You can also push your finger up and down very lightly. You should have 5+ years of experience before you start learning vibrato.
  • Question
    Is playing a viola the same as playing a violin as a beginner?
    Community Answer
    You will use many of the same techniques (like holding the viola/violin and holding the bow), but the strings and notes are not the same, because the violin and viola, although similar in appearance, are two different instruments.
  • Question
    How do I find the notes on a violin?
    Community Answer
    Start with the open strings, which are E-A-D-G. Starting from any of those notes, see if you can work out where a whole step, half step, three half steps, etc. are relative to the open string. Your teacher will probably help you with this.
  • Question
    Where can I find a violin teacher in Limpopo?
    Community Answer
    Search 'violin lessons near me' in Google to find a teacher close to you.
  • Question
    What's the best technique to play the violin and avoid making that dreadful squeaking noise?
    DJ JD
    Community Answer
    Make sure not to push down on the strings too hard. Keep your fingers on the correct strings. Make sure the strings are in tune. Keep the bow not to close to the bridge, and not to close to the fingerboard. Posture! There are many ways to keep your violin from squeaking. Other ways can be found on YouTube, and other websites, but those are the 5 main things that keep your instrument from squeaking.
  • Question
    What notes are on the thickest string?
    Community Answer
    The thickest string is the "G" string. In first position, you can play from G, A, B, and C.
  • Question
    How do I put the bottom chin rest on my violin?
    Community Answer
    Turn the violin upside down, then flip it so that the bridge is pointing out from you. Then, sit down and hold the violin with your thighs. Grab your shoulder rest (that’s what it’s called) and turn it so that the indented part is on the left side, then slide it down the bottom (now top) of the violin.
  • Question
    My chords aren't sounding good; what do I do? My fingers are on the right spots.
    Community Answer
    If the intonation is off, try tuning the violin. If you mean the sound quality is strange, maybe your fingers aren't pressing down hard enough on the strings. Also, make sure your bow is in the correct place and is being pressed down hard enough on the strings.
  • Question
    How much does a violin cost?
    Community Answer
    A decent student violin currently costs about £150 GBP. Better violins for amateur players cost about £500 GBP plus. Violins for professional players can cost thousands of pounds.
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