Is Violin Hard To Learn: 5 Things You Must Know

Like most string musical instruments, learning to play the violin can be demanding. Nevertheless, it is not hard to learn the violin. The process requires a lot of hard work, devotion, and patience. 

Training will expose you to complex (unnatural) hand postures as a beginner, making you temporarily uncomfortable.

These movements are crucial for stringing and chord improvements. There are other things you must know before you decide to learn violin.

This article will do justice to them and teach you the best ways to learn violin. 

5 Things You Must Know Before Learning Violin

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The journey to becoming a perfectionist will be challenging. Knowing a few things beforehand can make your learning process less challenging:

1. Do not expect to become a pro overnight

Another way to put this is to start with just understanding the basics. Top acts produce the sweet melodies you hear in movie soundtracks or music.

These professionals have sacrificed years of practice to attain their level of dexterity. Hence, it is unfair to think you can start learning in a few months and match their skill level.

For the first few days or weeks, your focus should be getting used to holding your bow in an unnatural position. The sound you produce at this point would probably be unpleasant.

You should not be bothered. It is acceptable to produce inconsistent and buzzing noise at the early stages.

2. Noisy sound is a constant irrespective of skill level

After weeks or even months of practice and getting used to the unnatural bow-handling position, the sound you produce may still be noisy. This does not mean you are not improving.

Even professionals violinist hear their sound at times and feel it is completely scratchy. This occurs because the “f-hole,” where sounds are produced, is situated close to the left ear. This proximity makes it hard for violinists to get a true sense of their sound’s end product.

This is why the audience hears beautiful sounds during concerts, but violinists can hardly tell if their sound is great or not until after the show.

3. Your violin will always need care

Maintaining a violin is a constant practice. It may seem like a big deal initially, but it will become a habit. Before playing violin, you must tighten the bow and apply rosin over it.

A bow must also be loosened when not in use. This is to maintain its curvature. Bow hair functions via friction thanks to the rosin applied to it. After application, you must wipe off any residue left by the rosin with a soft cloth.

Cleaning your violin with alcohol is wrong. As you go, you will learn how to change strings and bow hair.

4. Many people will be better than you

Irrespective of your skill level, people will always be better than you. This should inspire you to learn from them and perfect your techniques.

The violin community is not a competition. Everyone learns daily. The more you learn and practice, the better your sound.

5. You will make friends who are violinists

While learning violin all by yourself is okay, there is that stage where you need the help of others. This allows you to note your mistakes and connect you with fellow violinists.

Attending concerts and participating in lessons that bring violinists together can also help you make friends. Gatherings allow you to share what you are working on and what inspires you with others.

Best Ways to Learn Violin for Beginners

Reading music and getting used to bow hand positioning won’t come easy while learning violin. For a smooth experience, there are ways to go about it:

1. Go slow to learn fast

You do not want to rush anything when learning violin. Instead, start slowly and with a metronome when learning a new song. 

Once you can play smoothly without pauses and mistakes, you can increase your tempo by two beats per minute. 

Do this until you can easily play at the right speed before advancing. Rushing your learning process is a bad habit. It will only lead to sloppy playing and poor techniques. 

SEE: The Difference Between Out of Tune And Off Key

2. Practice without your instrument

When learning a new technique, it is common to get stuck. This is the best time to practice without your instrument instead of completely taking a time out.

Practicing bow hold with a pencil or pen and listening to a piece you have been working on (while singing along) are ways to engage yourself.

Pick up your violin the next day, and you will be surprised at how much you have learned.

3. Record yourself

You should also engage in recording some of your record sessions every week. Watching these videos will help you see how much you have developed and keep you motivated. These videos will also allow you to spot where you need to improve.

4. Explore many genres

Learning the violin will expose you to the various genres it encompasses. You are free to explore as many genres as you like to find the ones you are truly good at. 

5. Find a practice buddy

Finding a practice buddy can go a long way toward keeping you on your toes. Your friend does not necessarily have to be into violins.

As long as he or she is learning a new skill, you can hold each other accountable throughout the learning process. 

One way to go about it is to share weekly videos about how each of you has progressed. This will help you build confidence and make you respect your practice schedule.

FAQs

How long does it take to learn the violin?

It may take up to 10 years to attain a fairly ‘professional’ level. This also depends on your hard you practice.

Is violin harder to learn than piano?

Yes, a violin is harder to learn. This is because it has no preset concepts like the piano. 

How much does a Violin cost?

Beginner Violins have a price range between $60 to $607. Violins generally are a bit pricey.

Can you learn to play the violin at any age?

Of course, you can learn to play the violin at any age. All that matters is your willingness and dedication.

Conclusion

Learning to play the violin is a very technical subject. While you can learn it all by yourself, it is best learned alongside a friend or a tutor. 

The process involves making many mistakes; hence, it should be broken down into simple steps. A tutor can help you in this respect and highlight your strengths and weaknesses.

I hope you found this article helpful. If you would like access to further resources online, see the best platforms to learn anything online.

Thanks for reading.