As part of my new year resolution. I am planning to learn a musical instrument.
I am looking at a Violin.
Checked on Gumtree, working condition violin with bow costs around $400.
Checked on ebay, but came across this variety of sizes 4/4 1/2 etc.
Can anyone suggests me which violin would suit a beginner please.
Quite urgent :)
Cannot believe its already mid Jan !
If you have any other suggestions for another musical instrument please feel free to comment.
A teacher may also know where you can loan an instrument, or buy one locally (with a known history!) second hand.
Pretty sure you want a full size 4/4 as the smaller sizes are for children.
If you plan on teaching yourself, guitar is generally considered the easiest, or keyboard (piano). They're also cheaper! You can pick up an acoustic guitar or keyboard for <$100 that will be fine for a student.
Violin is one of the hardest instruments to start. If you're an adult, you'll want the largest size.
The easiest way to find a teacher is to go to your local Conservatorium of Music. They'll offer classes from beginner to advanced, and may have group classes you can start in to find out what instrument would best suit you. They may also have group classes (probably not for violin!) which will make it cheaper. But not a lot! These are full time professional music teachers, so it's not cheap.
If you want the cheapest option, get a notice out at a local Uni that has a School of Music. You might find a uni student willing to teach you for cheap :). When I took music lessons (about 10 years ago!) the going rate was about $50 for 1/2 hour from a professional. I had friends who taught for $30/hour. You'll typically have one 1/2 to 1 hour lesson a week, and be expected to do 1/2 to 1 hour of practice every day.
The standard qualification for music teachers is from the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). They also have listings of their qualified teachers, for example in WA you can enter violin in the WAMTA search and find 16 teachers. Note that an unqualified teacher may be excellent and a qualified teacher may be a rubbish teacher, but an AMEB qualified teacher will at least be competent at the instrument and music theory.
Hope that helps!
Whatever instrument you start learning - you'll have a burst of enthusiasm and then after a while it will seem like hard work - then you'll achieve a target, find you can play something, be proud of yourself and then have a slump again - this is pretty much how it will continue so you need to make sure you really love the instrument you choose as at times you'll feel like giving up.
My suggestion is that whatever instrument you choose, you find a band or ensemble group to join. Going to a weekly rehearsal with like minded people will give you the motivation to keep going and it's really fun, especially if you get to the point where you are performing, even if it's just casual for family and friends.
There are often "late starter" concert bands where adults can start and learn from scratch all at the same time on whatever concert band instrument they choose (violin is not a concert band instrument) in group lessons. Otherwise just find a local ensemble and ask what level you have to get to before you can come along regularly. Once you've found one, ask the director for recommendations of someone to teach you, or there might even be someone in the band who would be willing to teach you the same instrument at a cheaper rate.
Whatever instrument you buy - please don't just get the cheapest
- a cheap violin (and yes you would want 4/4 size) will not hold it's tuning and you'll struggle to learn the fingering and adjust it yourself with a bad sound which may or may not be your fault; but you won't know whether it is or not
- a cheap keyboard won't have weighted keys - and then you won't learn the difference between playing softly and loudly
- a cheap clarinet will have a "squeaky" sound and keys may stick and be unreliable
Consider the instrument you want to play, find a band to join (now is a good time, although some could still be in recess for the holidays), find out who is going to teach you and then ask them to come with you and choose an instrument. There are bargains to be had for a cheap price, but you need to know what you're looking for and be able to differentiate between rubbish and a good price.
@saxlady, @lupiter, @inherentchoice and @gummibear
Thanks a lot for your suggestions :) Will look for an instructor first.. and not buy a cheap one ! half the problem solved..
Now jus need to find them ! and the instrument
Have a lovely day..
I strongly recommend piano over violin. Piano would be much easier to pick up and whilst I do recommend a teacher, you can also pick up tutorials from youtube.
You can get a decent korg 88 key keyboard (with weighted keys) from JB Hifi for under $500 and a few times a year they'll have an extra discount for mailing list subscribers. =)
Find an instructor first, they should be able to give you advice on buying an instrument that best suits you.
Not much point in saving money and getting the wrong instrument.