I`m taking up the violin at the decrepit and feeble old age of 41. ;-)I was wondering if any of you out there began playing as adults or are adult beginners?

*hobbles off to her rocking chair to await replies*

Join the yahoo group
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/bavs

It`s full of adult beginners

liz

41!!!! A mere child!!!!

I`m 54 and until two months ago I had never picked up a violin in my life.

I have found a teacher, have had a couple of lessons, and do a little practice every day. I am thoroughly enjoying it and am surprised at the progress I am making.

Have a go. It might be some time before a tune appears out of the scratches and screeches but, I don`t think you`ll regret it.

Thanks for the referral to the adult learners forum Liz, I`m signed up under the name TalesOfThe7Seas.

And thanks for the encouragement Jeff! I`m really looking forward to learning to play, my first lesson is tomorrow morning. I`ve got background with piano and can read music, so that will help a bit getting started. I`ve been wanting to do this for many years. When my husband told my mom, who is a life-long lover of classical music, that I was going to learn, she was so happy she cried.

"When my husband told my mom, who is a life-long lover of classical music, that I was going to learn, she was so happy she cried. "

I too had a similar circumstance. When I picked up the bow for the very first time two weeks ago (age 39) my mother started to cry as well...

Your mom cried too! That`s sweet. How`s it going so far George? I have my first lesson tomorrow morning.

My aunt started playing aged over 60, but I met a guy on another forum who started in his late 70s. It`s never too late, if you really want to do something!

I`m an adult returnee, I played classical stuff for several years as a child with no enthusiasm and less development, but coming back as a fiddle player over 20 years later, it was a lot easier because the basics are mostly second nature.

Any young folks out there who are getting discouraged, remember it`s a lot easier to start something new when you`re young, because you`ll be building the skills into your body as you grow, and they`ll still be there if you come back to it in later life.

Thanks, that`s great to hear about other adults with more mileage than myself. I teach computer-aided drafting and one of my favorite students was 85! I fully agree, it`s never too late.
Learning something completely foreign is a great experience for me as an instructor too. It`s a great reminder of how awkward learning something new is. I just had my first violin lesson today and although I loved it, it was tough just to manage to play a few clear notes without brushing the other strings or drifting diagonally as I played a whole note. But what a beautiful reward those clear notes are when I do get them!! Wow!!

I`m currently 42, and although I had some group lessons and played in the youth orchestra for a year or two while in Jr. High, I just started taking individual violin lessons for the first time ever. I really enjoy it too - was surprised at how quickly I bounced back to the level I was when I quit.

I only play at a Grade 4 or 5 level, and need to learn vibrato properly and to change position, but it`s coming. In fact I`m in the market for a better violin. Does anyone know anything about Sandner or Yuan Ji?

Claire, my mother cried not due to a love for classical music but due to the screaching coming from my violin

I have been playing for two weeks now waiting for
Jan. 6...my first lesson. I am really excited, just hope I haven`t learned any bad habits in those two weeks.

In my two weeks I`ve learned to tune my violin (with e tuner), get rosin on the bow (suprising how many newbies have trouble with this), make pleasant sounds bowing, can play the D Major scale and learned a couple songs.

I hear a lot of negative comments about how we geezers are gonna have trouble learning the violin...I say lets prove them wrong. Sure I know its gonna be tough but I`ve heard some say its nearly impossible for adults to learn it.

Bah Humbuggers.

I don`t think it`s that adults can`t learn to play at all - I just think that they may not develop the dexterity needed to play at some `set` level (and what that level is exactly, I haven`t quite determined - getting some information is like pulling teeth) - perhaps to get `good enough` to play in an orchestra?

But if that`s not your goal. If you only want to play for yourself, or in small beginner or amatuer ensembles I think most adults can get to that level after a year or two.

Although I`ve just taken up the violin again, I`ve played my mandolin (picking) for our church ensemble off and on for the last 15 years. We`re not capable of much other than a straightforward performance of the selected hymns, but the congregation doesn`t mind - we`re a nice change from the organ.

Claire,i give you all of my respects and, a hand when you get in trouble.

I`m still waiting on the BAV list to approve me to take part in the discussions there. It`s been about a week and so far I`m still in moderation approval limbo. I`m guessing the moderator is gone for the holidays or something.

I just had my first lesson Monday and loved it! Been playing my fingers to pieces ever since. It`s really interesting how you can "feel" when you`ve got a note right as much by vibration as much as by sound. That`s waaaaaaaay cool. Reminds me very much of feeling a current from the helm of the tall ship I sail with. That`s something I never experienced with a piano!

I`m spending a lot of time working to get consistant on getting good, clear tones right now, keeping my hands in proper position, keeping my bow on the right track and not straying when I`m looking at the music. I tend to accidently brush the strings on either side of the string I`m aiming for right now, so that`s another one I`m working on.

Again, I`m REALLY glad to touch base with all the other adults who are learning this too!!

Good on ya gal .

I`m getting a little more control of the bow but, still having problems in some changes of direction and cursing my teacher for giving me a tune in 6/8. Trying hard to make my bowing distinguish a minim from a crochet without coming to a sudden stop with an inelegant screech.

I`m eagerly awaiting my `new` 100 year old violin (it`s being repaired) and brand spankin`-new bow.

It`s hard to stay motivated on my old instrument now that I have a hint of how much nicer better equipment sounds.