All of the schools in my area use the Essential Elements method for all instruments (orchestra and band).

In general, it isn`t a great method unless you are learning in a large group. I teach the violin and I use the Suzuki Method. If you have a teacher, they will give you the basics and the Suzuki books go on for a while. By the end of the Suzuki books, I`d say you would be proficient on the violin and on your way to becoming an amazing string player.

Just don`t expect your violin to sound nice automatically, it will sound scratchy at first. Just stick with it and practice alot.

Good luck!

I disagree about the violin being the hardest instrument.
I`ve been playing horn for four years, and while horn *music*
is a lot simpler than violin music, I find the instrument
itself more difficult.

That said, when I was practicing on a regular basis it took
me about two weeks of one or two hours a day to get a
decent tone on the first octave and a half; higher stuff
is still rather screachy, but I`ve been working on it. };->

The thing that sparked an intense desire to improve at the
violin was when I found out that the suppliers for the
local music store don`t carry left handed chin rests...
grrrr! };->

I need to write more papers though... so that will cut into
my practice time.

Much love, and an spirit of humor intended (or rather attempted),
-z

Violins are harder than most instruments, but otherwise really not that difficult. I`m in seventh grade, and I`ve been playing since third grade. I love it. But if you`re going to play, get a good violin, and it`ll last you a lifetime.

I am in the ninth grade now (10th grade next year) and I really want to play the violin. I already played the piano for nine years and know how to read all of the notes. I also play the clarinet and a little guitar. Would it be possible for me to learn the violin enough throughout this summer (with private lessons and lots of pracice)to be able to play next year in the high school orchastra? I know I won`t get first chair, but will I have enough information to be able to keep up with the class?

"Would it be possible for me to learn the violin enough throughout this summer (with private lessons and lots of pracice)to be able to play next year in the high school orchastra?"

It might depend on how competitive of a band it is. Is there a full section of violins? Rare, but hey, there might be a school like that somewhere...

At my high school they had a seperate remedial-orchestra for persons such as yourself. It was really cool; by the end of the year they sounded pretty sweet. They had one kid who took the class but didn`t perform with them; he was *just* starting to learn at the start of the term.

Is the teacher at your school a string person? (Ours was )Or mainly a band person who happens to have a string program also?

Come to think of it, you should probably get ahold of the person who would be teaching the orchestra and ask them the same questions you just asked here. They could give you a much more accurate answer based on the specifics.

Hold onto your dreams! };->

Cliche and clique-ish,
Jonny

Our teacher does primarily band, but teaches orchastra as well. Band comes first (of course). I think I`m just going to take the violin anyway, even if I don`t get first chair because it`s something I really want to do. Also, I`ll probably regret it later. I`ll practice really hard during the summer.

The violin isn`t as hard as people say it is, not for me anyway. I think it really matters on the person.

Before I played the violin, I tried playing the piano, I quit because I didn`t catch on. Then I tried the violin, I caught on quickly because I had a good teacher and afterwards I learned the piano [the violin helped me a lot with other instruments].

Anyway, age doesn`t matter with an instrument, I think. It`s dedication, having a good teacher, and PRACTICE. G`luck.

I am a junior in high school, and have been playing the violin for 8 years, but about a year ago I discovered fiddling. I have to say that for me it is rather more enjoyable (in most cases) than classical violin. This may because my strengths lie in rhythm and intonation, while I`m not the best at technical aspects (bowing, etc.).

Anyway, EVERYONE should at least try fiddling, as it is an important cultural aspect as well as being extremely enjoyable.

Betsy

fgfdgdf

I recently turned 25 and I deeply regret never learning to play an instrument well, especially the violin. Sure, I can play a few very basic keyboard and guitar tunes, but who can`t? The violin reaches deeper into my soul than any other instrument. It`s sound is both haunting and heavenly. I can read a little music, but hope I have the proper motor coordination to learn violin, which I am dying to learn. I also hope I have enough money for lessons/equipment, but I also feel I can`t afford to put this off any longer. I wish there was a way to test myself to see if I have the dexterity to play the violin properly. I`m such a clutz, I hope that doesn`t effect anything. And also, I`m a small guy, arms not particularly long or short, how do I take this into account if I want to rent or buy a violin? Thanks!

yes, best of luck from me to definately take it up straigt away,as in get your self a teacher. i know lots of people who started quite late and did fine one of them being me.Besides, the more new learning you apply your brain to through out your life,the healthier and less likely to age your brain will become.proven fact

hey, if you`d love to be able to play,there`s nothing else to take into account!don`t be held back by trivia, no matter how serious it seems.just go for it

i have not started yet but looking at the books it looks really hard but don`t let that put you down!! i thought a couple of mouths ago when looking at these people in the street i really want to play the violin, i love the sounds its so peaceful. anyway if you really want to do it then go for don`t let anyone put you down, i`m on yr 10 and i am going to start!!

i have not started yet but looking at the books it looks really hard but don`t let that put you down!! i thought a couple of mouths ago when looking at these people in the street i really want to play the violin, i love the sounds its so peaceful. anyway if you really want to do it then go for don`t let anyone put you down, i`m on yr 10 and i am going to start!!

I don`t play violin but I do belive the sound if you play it right is so beautiful. I started playing the cello only a year ago and now I`m good. I normaly play brass or woodwind instruments so I wanted to tey something new. And I must say I should of played string instruments from the beginning.