How long did it take you all to learn the notes in the first position when you started? And does anyone have advice or suggestions? So far I`m just sitting in front of a tuner while playing slowly

Thanks

First position is a breeze, its the other positions you have to worry about.. lol... well, some advice, take as long as you need to learn the musical theory. Meaning the notes and what the other nonsense is on the paper. lol... I`ve been playing violin for about 10 years now... and I`ve learned that if you play timidly you will never grow into a better musician. Just play it out, as loud as possible! lol... don`t worry when people tell you to stop... you are in the learning stage, you are allowed to sound bad. Now when learning the notes is concerned... what I did was write the letter (A,B,C, etc.. you know what I mean) under the note on my sheet music (in pencil, so you could erase it later). I practiced my music like that for a couple of days. Then I erased them off, and began practicing without it. Now, I`m thinking that is your problem, but if it involves you not knowing where to play it on the violin. Then you have a bigger problem, and that you need a lesson teacher. One question though: are you taking lessons? If not, get lessons as soon as possible. It will be very difficult for a beginner to learn to play the violin without any guidance. Well, I hoped I helped.. lol

I`m sorry, I meant, how did you learn the notes on the fingerboard? I am a music major and play both guitar and piano, so I can read music fine. I just need to learn where to put my fingers.

Thanks

Well, there are fingering guides, likely on-line...but I`d suggest at least a lesson or two from someone who plays. It`s not hard once you know what you`re doing...but it`s rather hard when you don`t have a clue.

Learning the fingering can only be done by figuring it out yourself, you cannot be fluent otherwise. If there is any advice, I can give you, its to keep looking out for patterns. Like if you switch strings at the same position, you go up a fifth. Or if you put the next finger close to the one on the fingerboard, you go up by a semi-tone. When you play scales, your hands automatically get used to it.


Jay

Mat, can you sing?

I played violin as a child and also sang in a church choir.

If you can sing scale of G, D etc. you know what the notes are supposed to be, and then it`s just a matter of finding them under your fingers and practising uyour scales and arpeggios until they become second nature.

1st position? 1st lesson??? But normally u`ll get to learn the notes on the A and E string first, as the D and G string requires more bowing technique.

I learned the D and G strings first... then went on to the A and E string... again, 1st position is not what you should worry about... just pay attention more on your bow technique than anything else. Then after you got your bow down, then improve on your sound.