Hi all,

I`m 17 and I took up learning the fiddle in February - I like folk rock :D Thing is, I`m very poor, a student, so I can`t afford lessons and I`ve only done a bit of flute and piano n guitar before, but I still know virtually nothing about music.

So, I`ve been using the net, books and CDs and friends to help me and it`s difficult but I think I`m making progress. Wish i could tuen it though....

Thing is I was watching some street performers play violin in Manchester and their fingers seemed to be going all over the fingerboard, right up and down, whereas mine aren`t stretched *too* far from each other when I play notes, just sort of comfortably spaced if you know what I mean? It sounds alright to me. Is this just me being lazy and not stretching and not able to tell it`s rubbish because I don`t have a teacher? or are they doing something special here?

Also, if you don`t mind my quizzing you, what`s this about positions?

Thankin` ye

Nat x

http://www.8notes.com/f/31_50850.asp

...start with this thread, and there are likely others that may be a tad older...

...then if you have specific questions...ask them!

o. lol. I think I need some lessons. he he.

Lessons are great...the violin is too complicated to start without any lessons at all...

...if you can`t afford reg. lessons...at least try and budget for a few to start with...or plan on going every two weeks, or even once a month...

Once a month? Can it be done? Never thought of that. I could afford that...they`re about a tenner a time aren`t they?

Depends where you live and on your teacher...I pay $15 for 30 min., and my daughter (who takes oboe lessons monthly) pays $20.

Once a month, if you`re straightforward and plan a bit with your teacher, will at least help prevent bad habits from taking hold and give you someone to ask questions and give pointers so that you don`t stray too far off the `proper path`.

Just keep in mind, you likely won`t progress as quickly as someone with weekly lessons.

But depending on your end goals, that can be fine.