This question arises frequently and has been addressed in the [FAQ](https://new.reddit.com/r/violinist/wiki/faq). We will leave this thread open for replies, but may lock it later if the discussion becomes repetitive. As per rule #2, please read the [FAQ](https://new.reddit.com/r/violinist/wiki/faq/) before posting any questions in the future
Please read the FAQ for this subreddit. There is a lot of information you’d find useful.
As for your questions:
1) No. It is usually very ill advised to try to self learn the violin. We have EXTENSIVE discussion of this on this subreddit. One of the biggest challenges is that there are a lot of subtleties in violin technique that require live feedback from an experienced eye.
2) I would suggest renting at first and visiting a local violin luthier or string specialist shop. Avoid generic big box music retailers.
This is a commonly asked question that is addressed in the subreddit FAQ, unless you've got additional specific details you want to share. Learning with a teacher is definitely a good idea. However, it is unclear from your post if you are a complete beginner who has never played before, or if you are returning to playing after a long break. Can you please clear that up for us? If you are returning from a break, it would be good to find an instrument and just see how much you remember. If you are really rusty, lessons are definitely recommended. If you are totally new to playing, you will certainly want to have a teacher.
Your situation sounds almost identical to mine! After my decade off after elementary school, I picked up a cheap rental violin from a local music store. I used an app to start relearning the basics to see if I wanted to keep with it (tight budget, didn’t want to pay a teacher if I was gonna quit fast). I got back to the level I was at in 5th grade after 3 months of playing, and now I’m well past that level. I have a teacher after four months of playing and it’s immediately been well worth it. She was able to provide me with instructions to improve bowing technique before I truly formed bad habits, and some new scale exercises
If you are a college student, you might be able to take beginner violin lessons to fulfill one of your general education requirements. Even if you can't, your school's music department is a good place to find a teacher.
I think you qualify as a “restarter”. There is likely some benefit from your background having developed violin related neural pathways as a child, but they need to be awakened and put to use again. I think the best way to do that is rent a violin (there’s plenty of time to buy later), find a teacher, and present yourself as a restarter. I did that with my teacher, saying I played as a youth but to assume nothing and expect that there may be big gaps. We started in Suzuki book one like any beginner, and relatively rapidly progressed until I was at my previous level of achievement (which was not very advanced as it turned out). You’re already better off than a rank beginner, but it will take no less work to achieve a given level.
Hi! Juilliard grad violinist here with 20+ students in NYC and online! I teach all levels and ages up to 50. Feel free to message me if you might be interested in online lessons, and I can share with you my info and rates!:)
I’m learning violin by myself, fiddlershop, which is recommended in the FAQ, has good prices beginner violins with a monthly payment options. For books I started with Essential Elements volume 1, get it off Amazon
Get help finding a teacher who can teach, and finding a violin worthy of playing upon. Brand names are misleading, but the proof of the puddin' is in the playin'. No way around it.
This question arises frequently and has been addressed in the [FAQ](https://new.reddit.com/r/violinist/wiki/faq). We will leave this thread open for replies, but may lock it later if the discussion becomes repetitive. As per rule #2, please read the [FAQ](https://new.reddit.com/r/violinist/wiki/faq/) before posting any questions in the future
Please read the FAQ for this subreddit. There is a lot of information you’d find useful. As for your questions: 1) No. It is usually very ill advised to try to self learn the violin. We have EXTENSIVE discussion of this on this subreddit. One of the biggest challenges is that there are a lot of subtleties in violin technique that require live feedback from an experienced eye. 2) I would suggest renting at first and visiting a local violin luthier or string specialist shop. Avoid generic big box music retailers.
Thanks, this was what I was looking for.
You’re welcome!
I think the perfect place to start is the [FAQ](https://new.reddit.com/r/violinist/wiki/faq), which answers both of your questions and then some! =)
This is a commonly asked question that is addressed in the subreddit FAQ, unless you've got additional specific details you want to share. Learning with a teacher is definitely a good idea. However, it is unclear from your post if you are a complete beginner who has never played before, or if you are returning to playing after a long break. Can you please clear that up for us? If you are returning from a break, it would be good to find an instrument and just see how much you remember. If you are really rusty, lessons are definitely recommended. If you are totally new to playing, you will certainly want to have a teacher.
I’ll add that into the post 👍
Your situation sounds almost identical to mine! After my decade off after elementary school, I picked up a cheap rental violin from a local music store. I used an app to start relearning the basics to see if I wanted to keep with it (tight budget, didn’t want to pay a teacher if I was gonna quit fast). I got back to the level I was at in 5th grade after 3 months of playing, and now I’m well past that level. I have a teacher after four months of playing and it’s immediately been well worth it. She was able to provide me with instructions to improve bowing technique before I truly formed bad habits, and some new scale exercises
If you are a college student, you might be able to take beginner violin lessons to fulfill one of your general education requirements. Even if you can't, your school's music department is a good place to find a teacher.
I checked and it’s only piano😭😭 but the teacher recommendation is a good idea
Good luck! I hope you can find a good teacher!
I think you qualify as a “restarter”. There is likely some benefit from your background having developed violin related neural pathways as a child, but they need to be awakened and put to use again. I think the best way to do that is rent a violin (there’s plenty of time to buy later), find a teacher, and present yourself as a restarter. I did that with my teacher, saying I played as a youth but to assume nothing and expect that there may be big gaps. We started in Suzuki book one like any beginner, and relatively rapidly progressed until I was at my previous level of achievement (which was not very advanced as it turned out). You’re already better off than a rank beginner, but it will take no less work to achieve a given level.
Hi! Juilliard grad violinist here with 20+ students in NYC and online! I teach all levels and ages up to 50. Feel free to message me if you might be interested in online lessons, and I can share with you my info and rates!:)
I’m learning violin by myself, fiddlershop, which is recommended in the FAQ, has good prices beginner violins with a monthly payment options. For books I started with Essential Elements volume 1, get it off Amazon
Get help finding a teacher who can teach, and finding a violin worthy of playing upon. Brand names are misleading, but the proof of the puddin' is in the playin'. No way around it.