Learning to Play the Violin FAQs

Can I really learn to play in just one day?
You will not receive an invitation to Carnegie Hall at the end of your very first day; but, yes, you will play at least a few simple major scales and a few simple songs after approximately an hour's quality time with your new violin. Many instructional programs begin by showing you how to pick out familiar tunes without any fingering whatsoever. If you have tuned your violin properly, Mary's little lamb and twinkling little stars should come out of the four-stringed box without too much trouble. To some extent, your first day's achievement depends on your background knowledge and motivation: If you already know how to read music, and if you push yourself to discover and begin landing properly on the right finger positions, you will progress quickly. If you are a beginner at music, the instrument, and the discipline, then your first lesson inevitably will focus on concentration, careful listening, discipline, and especially patience. Without those four fundamental habits of mind and work ethics, you will not advance very quickly no matter how gifted you are.

How much should I practice every day?
Although it seems a little vague, the best answer defies the clock: You should make arrangements to practice as much as you can every day. Your workbook or internet tutor will provide new and challenging material for daily practice sessions, growing with you as you grow more skilled and knowledgeable. Remember Brian Adams's line about practicing until his fingers bled? Maybe a little extreme, but certainly a sign of his devotion, desire, and dedication? How many hours each day do your friends in athletics practice their sports? How many hours each day do your fine artist and writer friends devote to their art and craft? How far will your desire and passion carry you? Your emotions will determine how long you should practice every day.

What can I do to make practice more fun?
If you have not quite mastered the whole business of reading music, perfect that skill as soon as you can, because when you can read and hit the notes, you can play all your favorite tunes. Order or download sheet music, and adjust the metronome to play your favorite tunes in all different time signatures, so that you can go from rock to jazz to power ballad without missing a note. Sometime, arrange to practice with a friend from the orchestra or your violin class. Form your own string quartet, and practice playing your part with a viola player, a cellist and a bassist. No one ever said practice had to become synonymous with boredom or torture.

How will I know I am progressing?
You should find lots of indications you are progressing: Most of all, your teacher should let you know where you stand as you complete each session with her. Your lessons should give you strong indication of how much your play improves, because they provide opportunities for moving up the sections and chairs. Most of all, however, your own muscles and ears will provide plenty of feedback. Yes, you will keep the tapes on your fingerboard until you turn pro, but when you start to feel how you can hit the tapes with your eyes closed and your ears open, you will know you have crossed the first threshold of "good."

Hailey Alton is a violin performer, music lover and teacher. For more great tips on Learning to Play the Violin please visit http://learntheviolinfast.com

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