Can I Learn to Play Violin on My Own?

• 

  scrimshaw on 24/06/2017 - 23:06

  +3

  With learning to play music instruments, it's usually a good idea to have somebody teach you the basics first, particularly if you don't have a music background, for a few reasons:

  1. You learn at a faster pace and it reduces the chances that you become demotivated
  2. A good teacher can detect your bad habits and tell you to correct them so you'll play properly and not develop things like neck or shoulder pain from bad posture etc.
  3. They can tell you everything you need to know about choosing which type of violin you should buy and how to set it up, maintain it etc.

  and it's probably better to rent a violin first than to buy one outright. try googling 'instrument rental'

  Everything you need to know about learning to play is on this Reddit /violinist FAQ page

  • 

    Asuran on 25/06/2017 - 00:03

    Thanks mate

• 

  Baebs on 24/06/2017 - 23:07

  +1

  Starting a musical instrument in itself is a large obstacle, especially if you have no background in music. The violin is much harder than say, the piano since you aren't pressing fixed keys. Playing any string instrument requires precise memorisation for where your fingers press the string if you are going to play the correct note.

  Then you have to consider what your other hand is doing; holding the bow is complex as well. The first few months of holding your bow will determine how well you can play the instrument + how quickly you can progress - angle of the bow, wrist technique etc.

  Learning the notes and theory is somewhat accessible through study materials however, actually playing the instrument requires lessons for correcting the small but crucial physical techniques.

  • 

    Asuran on 25/06/2017 - 00:02

    Thanks mate. I will join a class. Soon, hopefully

• 

  currentfad on 24/06/2017 - 23:34

  +1

  I would say no as someone who used to play violin. As a string instrument, you will have trouble even learning where to press for the right note when you start, let alone know how to hold the violin/bow and proper mechanics to play.

  As the person above me has said, something like a piano would be easier to learn without a teacher, and being a piano there are plenty of resources out there to help. Nonetheless I'd recommend a teacher regardless as it's not like learning to drive where the learning curve is relatively flat for the average person.

  As a uni student, maybe you can find a music society where they may offer cheap lessons taught by the students?

  • 

    Asuran on 25/06/2017 - 00:01

    Yes you are correct. I couldn't find much resources about learning violin.

• 

  chumlee on 25/06/2017 - 06:48

  +1

  I learnt to play the worlds smallest violin on my own. Comes in handy now

• 

  BensonP on 25/06/2017 - 07:05

  I'm guessing you went to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra last night?

  • 

    Asuran on 25/06/2017 - 07:30

    Lol, I didn't

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  slow on 25/06/2017 - 08:42

  As a matter of interest, why the violin? It is difficult instrument to learn and to get anything resembling music out of it. Something like guitar or piano are much easier, can do yourself and you will get quick rewards (ie making music). This if of course assuming you are motivated to practice regularly - 10 minutes every day is better than 2 hours once a week.
  I have never had a lesson in my life, but like to think I have reached a reasonable level of proficiency in both through self instruction over many years.

  • 

    Asuran on 25/06/2017 - 10:10

    Awesome. Even I am thinking that I can learn play guitar by myself. I can use the online resources like music learning apps and YouTube videos. Thanks mate

  • 

    poboy on 25/06/2017 - 10:11

    I learned violin at school. Plus I've taught myself guitar and rudimentary piano. I would say that violin would be the most difficult of the three to self learn. There are so many mechanics you need to get right. Whereas with the guitar and piano, you can progress while still being sloppy.

• 

  jason101 on 25/06/2017 - 11:18

  I've been taking my son to violin lessons for the past 6 months each week, the "Suzuki Method" allows the parents to sit in on all the classes - I have no musical background at all but I am reasonably sure I could have taught him what he's learned so far based on watching online content. This is not a poor reflection on the teacher, just that the early days of learning this instrument seem pretty straight forward.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 25/06/2017 - 12:16

    You are very wrong Jason101
    Teachers in the early state instill the "basics"
    Just like Piano, there are "grades" and levels of skill to progress to
    Sure you could teach yourself the Violin off the "internet" but being competent and decent at it, unlikely without a proper mentor / teacher to show you the way

    • 

      jason101 on 26/06/2017 - 08:06

      Thanks for your comments on what I've witnessed and what I've researched online (I never realised you were also in the same classes and sitting behind me at my desk)

      Let me summarise the last 15 or so lessons:

      Care for the violin and bow (tightening and loosening the bow string)
      Holding the violin
      Holding of the bow (finger position secret corner etc)
      Listen to a CD based on what you need to learn (ie what is should sound like)
      Bow Control (wave it back and forth like a analogue mulitmeter)
      A string
      E string
      Busy Busy Stop Stop on A
      Busy Busy Stop Stop on E
      Finger in 1, 2, 3 Position
      Busy Busy Stop Stop combo of A and E using 1,2,3

      It's really not rocket science. I'd suggest at least get that under your belt before paying for lessons if you are not a 5 year old child who may need direct teacher instruction.

• 

  Sunshines bright on 25/06/2017 - 20:48

  I would say it may depend on how good you want to become. You can probably find an internet based instruction to get you started but if you want to become good you will need a proper teacher for a while. And the better you want to be the more classes you may want to take.

  My son started learning on the viola in grade 6, in grade 7 he worked with the Bass… with both he had teachers helping him. In grad 8 he went back to viola again and he had music teachers assisting him. (I had rented one for him for the 1st year, the second he borrowed the bass from school then for the 3rd year he played, I purchased a used viola).

  My understanding is there is not a lot of difference in playing the violin and the viola as far as fingering and skill.

  But when he got to High School they did not have an orchestra and he did not want to stop playing, so he just played it at home as a hobby - practicing a lot with no teacher. He never got to be an expert but he was good enough as a hobby and eventually he sold the viola and move onto other hobbies but he did play for a while on his own.

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  lainey13 on 25/06/2017 - 21:22

  If you're not musical yourself, I think it'll be very difficult. Violin is particularly difficult to get right because you need to tune the string correctly first, then have the right finger position and bow technique as well. It's not like piano where you can just press a finger and make the right noise. You can do all the self learning you want, but if you don't have the ear for it how can you tell if you're hitting the right note? Also a teacher can observe you and advise you on what to do. A video is just one way…

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  Ughhh on 26/06/2017 - 10:43

  Some things that are hard to learn/develop without a teacher is good and correct habits ie. posture and techniques. If you develop bad habits during your early learning stages, it will be hard to shake it off. Some people are musically deaf, some are naturally gifted. It helps to be the latter if you're self teaching.