...playing an instrument seriously takes alot of pride...
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I still don`t get those type of comments, why do people use the word pride differently, it only means one thing (arrogance and perfection of ones-self and the one specific person) not to insult you or anybody, but lots of other people change the definition constantly, so I don`t know what you mean when you mention pride in your sentence.

Jake, I am in an orchestra and have been since I was quite young. The man who sits next to me didn`t begin playing until he was 30 years old and he`s quite good! It`s never too late, in my opinion. I was 3, he was 30. We sit side by side. Good luck to you.

I managed to find the correct notes by ear; and I didn`t have to mark it! Since I play flute, one of the things I learned from that is that the fingers are awkward at first. Even a little painful with extended play. But once you continue in something, your fingers learn the distance quicker than your mind. I encourage people NOT to use tape. A lot of people may look for an automatic answer but in truth, relying on tape makes it harder for your finger`s intuitive journey. Okay, given my best song on violin right now is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, on flute I can play almost anything and I can play for hours. Just as there is endurance in sports, playing instruments is the same. And of course, age isn`t a factor. You`re just more likely to have more years to enjoy the feeling of playing music if you start earlier. That`s a matter of longevity, not skill! Keep it up everyone! And thanks for the support, both to myself and others!

I just stumbled across this board, and came to this forum. Hey Jake I`m in the same situation you are in, except for that I`m 20 years old, and my parents are the opposite, they are actually disappointed in me that I never ever played an instrument when I was younger. I have never played any instrument in my life, and I don`t know how to read music. I have always been fond of the violin, it`s my favourite instrument. Everytime I see someone playing it, it just really puts me in a differen mood. I love Classical music, so when I realized majority of these songs I like are being played by the violin, it just encouraged me even more to want to learn. Many times I have been going to church, and I see this girl, during the mass, who plays the violin, she`s younger then me, and boy does she play beautiful, it just inspires me even more. My goal is to learn how to read music, and play the violin. I doubt I will ever play in the Orschestra or something along that line. lol, but that`s not my intentions I just want to play in front of my family, friends, by myself in my room, and that`s it. God willing, it`s my goal to play Richard Clayderman; Lara`s theme from the old movie Doctor Zhivago. Anyway good luck, and if you want to do, do it! I`m going to get really serious about really wanting to learn as well.

I just stumbled upon your question while I was looking for some information on beginning violin. I am 33 and I have three children 10,10, and 11. I just purchased a violin for them. I wish I could have started them earlier, but I have not had the finances and the school has never provided any music programs for them. I started playing various musical instruments at 3 years old and quit when I was 15 because of scheduling problems in high school and other things.

I recently took a music history class in college and it brought back all of my music and made me want to play again so badly. So what if I am 33, big deal, no body has to listen to me but me. I kind of used the kids desire to play to put music back into my own life.

They aren`t early starters by any means but I will NEVER discourage them. Don`t let anyone discourage you either. Part of the reason I quit playing was because I got no support from my parents. That was probably the stupidest mistake I have made my entire life. You know I could have gone to college for free just because I played? Not even because I played well! I realize that this response comes after many months of your post, I hope that you did go ahead with your dream and I hope you did start to play. Don`t become discouraged if it gets difficult or if your parents aren`t supportive. Always remember that practice makes perfect and just play to your hearts content.

This is for anyone out there that is starting out like me. I am 31 y.o. and wanted to play cello, but found them entirely too expensive. I have loved the sound of the cello and the violin. Anyways, I just received a beginner`s violin outfit that I purchased on eBay. it is brand new and I paid $47.95 for it, and that includes shipping/handling. The website is www.1reason.com but just search for the seller "1reason".
The outfit includes one violin, one bow, one lined case w/room for 2 bows, and some rosin. If you`re not rich enough to purchase a $200+ instrument, then it`s worth looking in to. I hope I`ve helped someone else out there. I personally cannot wait to get started... just waiting for the learning video and book I purchase elsewhere to arrive. Good luck all and long live music!

I am 14 years old as well. I`m about to turn 15 and I just started playing violin about 7 months ago.

I love the violin and of course I had the very same question you did. My teacher says if I keep on working hard and really practicing and trying then you can become a great violinist. She says age doesn`t matter it depends on how hard you work and for how long. She said you could start at 50 and if you work really you could become a great violinist. That really encouraged me. So I started practicing 5 hours a day and I am excelling fast. i already play in my intermediate orchestra. But you don`t have to practice 5 hours a day. It just depends on you to practice and take it seriously. adn always try to be one step ahead of your teacher so when she/he gives you a lesson you`ll already know and it will move fast.

So don`t be discouraged if you see a kid who has been playing since he/she was 5. Because with hard work you could be better than them. or not better but you could love the violin alot more than them which I think is really important.

hi, im 12, i just got a violin, and i just started, i don`t think it is too late,i mean why should it be, loads of you will just get better as you go along, i mean if lil 7 years olds do it so can u!

I`m 27 and started playing a year and a half ago. My instructor teaches me both fiddle and classical, I love both! I do drive myself insane though, because I can`t do vibrato yet, I still hit wrong notes and I think my tone is terrible. I really wish I had started earlier but that comment about the person in symphony who sat next to a man who started playing at age 30 cheered me up a bit!

I had pupils start at 14 and they were invariably my better ones, simply because they really wanted to do it. Go for it!

Liz

I`m nearly 23 and I`ve just started the violin (grand total of 4 lessons with a friend). My story is slightly different I guess, since I was forced to play the piano from age 4-18 and I truly loathed it. ie: evey nightmare I ever had had piano music in the background, just goes to show..

Today, I`m no longer forced to play, no one checks how many hours I practice, no one punishes me for playing badly. I know that I can choose to stop at any moment. It`s also my financial responsibility. ie: I know how many hours I have to work so that I can buy my bow.

As an adult, my relationship to this instrument is very different. In other words, as an adult, I think that I can appreciate playing the violin to a better extent.

I`m glad I didn`t start as a child.

Gosh, I started playing when I was 10! I was fine, so you`ll be perfect!

If I don`t play I hurt inside. I have to play. I wanted to since age 10 when I first heard a concert, but couldn`t get to start until I was 33. I keep working at it. Get a good teacher if at all possible and Suzuki methods have the tapes and detailed instructions so a 2 year old can learn. When you are older you need more explanations because the mind is more analytical but you can also learn faster. If you love what you do you will get good and 14 is young. Listen to yourself and use a mirror. Your ears and hands will begin to work together. Listen to what you want to play many times.

hey im 13, and i want to learn to play the violin too, but i already play other instruments so my parents say i have to master the other ones before i go on to something else..so that sucks but hopefully i`ll get a violin soon

go for it jake... i started when i was just about to turn 11 and i am 13 now and i am going at it and not giving up.. my parents played the violin/viola so it runs in my family but when i play they always tell me to shut up and put it away ( i think it is just because they are jealous cuz i can play better than them cuz i stuck w/ it ) but any ways i hope that you dont` let any one bring you down cuz that isn`t very kewl that someone should put you down like that.. just go for it and TEACH `EM A LESSON!!! show `em that you can play.. learn to play and show `em that you really want to do this... someone said before me that young age is better to start well i disagree because my little sister was going to start at a young age and she didn`t care much for it cuz she didn`t understand it and didn`t have patience ok well ihnope you make it GOOD LUCK!!!
-britt