hello, I have been playing the flute for around 10 years now and am about to get my degree in performing arts. The problem is that I want to now throw everything away to learn the violin! Should I do it?

hello!! I have to say that I am in the same position as you are.I have been playing piano and guitar for 7 years,and now I want to learn a violin.But,one big big problem is that I live in a little place where is no teacher of violin,so I have to do it by myself(with help of internet,lessons and videos). Everyone were discouraging me,saying that it is impossible(my family members) but I decided to do it,because violin is and always was my dream.So,I will do it!! I have no instrument yet,but I have a lot of material,lessons-my computer is full of violin pictures,lessons,videos.....I love it and I will try that...It is never late!So,I think that you should do it,try and you'll love it!But,don't leave the flute!I realy admire you.Flute was always a mistery for me!I have a lot of experience with string instruments,but with wind instrument I have nothing to do! How is it?Is it hard to play it? I wish I could play that to,but flutes are so expensive,and I think,harder than a violins...Keep calling and good luck! Call us when you decide,and I hope that I helped a lot,and that I wasn't boring...yosepha

Thanks for the inspiration! I have decided (for the moment) that I will hire a violin and start lessons soon and just see how my progress goes. But yeah I agree with you I was debating wether to stop the flute completely but a lot of people have been going wat are you crazy!!!

Well people really just assume the flute is easy just because you can get a sound out of it and the keys are near each other etc etc etc. But although it may be easy to play, but it is difficult to play well...sure you may have the musicality and emotion, but there are a lot of finer details in techicalities with the jaw and air control etc, along with the tone production and breath control and many other elements that you need to really master before you can even considered a great player. So yes it is very hard, but in saying all that (believe me I could go on for hours), this applies toall instruments, in that each has its own elements to discover and conquer! And hey, I find the piano is very very hard in its own right!!!!!!!

but yes you are right, flutes can be very expensive; mine is cheap (around $5000) considering a lot of my friends have ones starting from $11,000 and up hehe, but then again, im guessing a good violin would cost a lot also...and even more so, the violin bow =oP

And thankyou! You have reminded me to follow your dream no matter what other people think, just as long as you can believe you can do it! =o) and hey you have got a very good headstart with your guitar experience!!!

Keep in touch with your progress!

I'm very happy because of this forum,people are so nice,they answer you almost already,like you for example,and they always have a word of support! You really need to take lessons,it's never late! I was desperate because I thought that it is too late( I'm 17) but I heared people who started to play at 50's....There is one beautiful site that I reccomend-that is www.violinmasterclass.com You have lessons,videos and more important-forum where you can find out useful things and good advices and the most important-SO MUCH OF SUPPORT! So,when you feel discouraged,just go there.People are great! I'll be calling every step of my learning,sure and you do it too! Sorry about my english (I'm from Croatia,if you have ever heard about it) and good luck! See you!

Wow that is a great site thanks for the recommendation!!! 17! you are still very young! definately go for it!!! =o) Ive recently turned 22 but yeah I also hear about people starting at a older age too....hehe ok I will update you with my progress also...now I just need to make time to start! =oP

of course I have heard of Croatia! and your English is very good!!! I speak English fluently but still have problems with it hehe

good luck to you too!