How easy could I teach myself violin?

    
How easy could I teach myself violin?    14:44 on Tuesday, June 24, 2008          

Cello-BassGirl
(11 points)
Posted by Cello-BassGirl

After playing cello and double bass for quite some time, how easy would it be to take up the violin hold? And would it ruin my 'technique'(if I can call it that) on the other instruments?

I would only play it in my free time (when I have finished practicing cello and bass) so it wouldnt come before the other two. So do you think I could teach myself and how easy would it be?


Re: How easy could I teach myself violin?    18:13 on Wednesday, June 25, 2008          

blackhellebore89
(156 points)

it would be a bit difficult, but if you are only do it for giggles then im sure you could do it. you wouldn't suddenly be a maestro or anything but with a bit of practice you could get there.
do you reckon i could teach myself cello?


Re: How easy could I teach myself violin?    10:57 on Thursday, June 26, 2008          

Cello-BassGirl
(11 points)
Posted by Cello-BassGirl

Thanks! I'm glad you think so because I went out and bought a beginner violin (it is such a lovely colour ) and came home armed with a violin basics. I happy to say I finished all 150 excersises That sounds like loads but most were only a line or repeating the open strings haha! But it is all progress...
So anyway, I still sound scratchy because I keep catching the wrong strings but i'm going to keep at it


In answer to your question:
If you are determined yes, absolutely! It is in a different clef to violin (which i'm guessing you play).

Tips to get going:
The strings we have are -

| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
C G D A C is the thickest string.

They are found on the stave -

_______________________________ A (on the line)
_______________________________
_______________________________ D (on the line)
_______________________________
_______________________________ G (on the line also)
____
____ C

So A is where you would play F on the E string.
D is where you play B in the A string
G is where you play E on the D string
C is where you play A on the G string.

To find where your hand goes play your fourth finger on the G string, along with open D. If it is the correct note (which it should be) you know that is where your hand goes. Your fingers should have an even space between them.

Hope this helps Good luck with cello playing!


Re: How easy could I teach myself violin?    02:11 on Wednesday, July 2, 2008          

hakeber
(5 points)
Posted by hakeber

I'm a cello player and I just recently picked up violin.

The important thing to caution is that you don't mix up the cello and violin bow holds, other than that, I should think it's fine.


Re: How easy could I teach myself violin?    00:59 on Thursday, July 3, 2008          

Fiddol_Freek
(6 points)
Posted by Fiddol_Freek

I don't think it would ruin your technique on your other instruments. I play violin, but also play piano, mandolin, and have tried out Cello. My brother plays Guitar and Cello (used to play his violin) and whenever he picks up his violin for old times sake, he sounds amazing and can play it just as well as when he left it!


Re: How easy could I teach myself violin?    01:35 on Thursday, July 10, 2008          

Scotch
(660 points)
Posted by Scotch

I play the cello and the fretted bass guitar (among various other instruments) and have fooled around on the violin from the time to time (the longest continuous stretch of violin practice was a mere week).

I'd suppose that since violin technique is so radically different from cello technique that there is little danger of confusion. I was never confused in this way at least, but then on the violin I never ventured past first position.

For some reason I tend to mix up the open third string of the cello (G) with the open third string of the bass guitar (A), and just these notes, no others. (I also tend to mix up the fingering for the second octave D on the cornet with that of the second octave D on the soprano recorder--and again, no other notes, just these.) I've long wanted to buy a fretless bass guitar (an actual double bass is out of the question--no place to keep it and I couldn't justify the expense), but I've been afraid it would interfere with my cello playing.



Re: How easy could I teach myself violin?    14:41 on Monday, July 28, 2008          

moraskenneth
(4 points)
Posted by moraskenneth

It is not that difficult as many say
i learned mostly online
check out www.violintutorial.blogspot.com


Re: How easy could I teach myself violin?    18:47 on Wednesday, July 30, 2008          

tessellation
(42 points)
Posted by tessellation

Like everyone as said, you can certainly do it. I learned a lot on my own with strings, but there were times I was soooo glad I had a teacher to help me work through it. Sometimes there are things you can do, but to tweak it just right, you need someone else. And, like already mentioned a few times here, it depends where you want to go with it. Just have fun with it. That's what really matters.


Re: How easy could I teach myself violin?    11:53 on Thursday, November 13, 2008          

kindest-demon
(1 point)
Posted by kindest-demon

i did it with no training b4, had to teah myself to read music as well i think im farly good . i play quite confidently and well


   




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