Hello all, I`m a college student, and I am in love with the sound of violin, I believe it produces the most beautiful, and hauntingly sad melodies of any instrument around. I am very interested in learning how to play the violin, but I have no experience whatsoever. How difficult is it to learn the violin, and what is a good round number for how much it would cost to start out? (beginner`s violin, perhaps lessons) I took 5 or 6 years of piano in my youth, so I can already read music. Any and all advice on how difficult a venture learning violin can be and any realistic appraisals of how long it takes to become proficient are greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time, and keep making that beautiful music!

Hi, it is pretty hard to learn the violin. Your a college student, it is kind of to late. I`m in 7th grade and I started when I was in 5th grade. So it will take at least twelve years to be a proffesional violinist.

its never to late to take up an instrument!my grandma was 65 when she took violin and she made it to grade 8!follow your dream and get a teacher first.they can recomend the violin that will best suit you.my friend recently took upviolin a couple of months ago and is already grade 2 because shes a pianist!you can do it!

It`s never too late to do anything. At the place I`m studying, there`s a 60 year old man learning the violin. I think, just as long as your memory works and your fingers are arthritis-free, you can play to your heart`s content. I`m 20, and only picked it up 6 months ago. My teacher says that I`m making remarkable progress. So don`t let anyone put you down because of your age. One of my teachers started only 5 years ago and has now gained a spot at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (prestigious).
In terms of cost, go for student violins (Stentor violins are popular). My lessons are half and hour long, which is more than enough, because like any instrument, it`s all about praticing at home... anyways... yeah... good luck!

I have to disagree politely with Ronald. IMHO, there shouldn`t be a minimum number of years taken to become a professional violinist, as he mentioned, 12 years.

Of course it`s unrealistic to say that its possible to be a violin pro after 2 or 3 years of learning, but it all boils down to how much you are willing to practice and sacrifice to play the violin. There are plenty of violinists in professional orchestras now who have only been playing for 5-6 years because they`re talented and very hard working.

Matt, defintely you need to start!!! I am encouraging you to do so even I have had no experience of taking piano lesson in that a young age like you, which makes your violin lesson easier to start.

I even think of starting it with a few music lessons taken.

Go go go!

Li

My advice to you is to find a teacher right away. I have been studying for about 7-8 years and am planning on going pro, but the thing is i could be so much better now if i had the desire to learn violin the way i do now opposed to my hating it when i started out young. Sinc eyou have this burning passion, use it and start right away. It is ok id people tell you that it to late because the truth is that it probably is too late to start if you want to major in music (but i dont think thats the case right?) Just get a couple of lessons, use them wisely and always practice and perfect everything before you go to the next lesson. Some tips are to learn the basics from some friends before going to a teacher so no time is wasted. Hope you do well!

I kinda agree with ronald I also started in the fifth grade and now I`m in 7th it takes a lot of your time and energy but if you really want to play go ahead but it will interfear with you school. I pay 10 dollars for an hour and the man that teaches me is really good and he saw that I`m a rock frak so he tought me some Pink Floyd but I still plat classical.

Hi!
I am learning taking violin lessons in school and I am in year 11. To be honest with you it is not so hard but it is tricky. I take violin lessons in shool and because I am in GCSE music I play nothing. (I also take piano lessons). But I know that For half an hour every Lesson you have got to pay £20. An i also have to add that with that you know piano bowing the violin IS SOOOOOOOOOO different, and hard; but it is wonderful and they say that violonists enjoy more that people who just hear it. I experienced it, it is TRUE.
Bye, I hope my Information be any use to you.

It was actually pretty easy for me to learn. In the sixth grade when I started my class used a good beginers book called "Essential Elements". That helped me a lot. In the same year I started playing I got to the pont to be a high intermidiate player.

If you practice enough, it shouldn`t be too hard at all.

Essential Elements is the best starter book for any instrument! It gives you new notes, practice warm-ups, tuning help... etc. and the violin one would be called "Essential Elements For Strings Violin" and there are about 3 levels, so get level 1 and progress, or use a book or method the teacher tells you if you plan to get a teacher. If you have the experience in piano, only a few lessons would be in the need for you, to learn the basics and not make bad habits.

I agree with Riki;Essencial Elements is a good way to learn the violin, as well as the viola, cello, and double bass. I learned with Essencial Elements only three years ago, and I`m a level 5 player.

im 10 and i was thinking about playing the violin. I started piano the summer before kindergarden so i can read music. So any tips would be nice. Thank you!!!

Wesly, as stated before for beginners it`d be good if you got "essential Elements" for strings. It`s great for beginners. Also, I`d suggest you get a teacher so you don`t develope bad habits such as your palm touching the neck of your instrument, or holding the bow wrongly.

I ALSO think it`s never too late... because I too have been looking into learning the violin. I played the clarinet for 8 years, so I know how to read sheet music and such. I wish you the best of luck!