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Post by Lucky Dan on Feb 5, 2023 9:01:42 GMT
Mr. McFeely left this on the porch today. A complete violin rig, including the fiddle, the bow, a premium case and other assorted accessories to get started.
One minor life regret I've had is not taking violin lessons in grade school when I had the chance, so I'm tending to it now. I'm prepared to spend a few hours a week just bowing an open string until I can get a decent tone in proper playing posture. I ordered a few instructional books and have found many YouTube instructors to demonstrate the basics. And, because I keep vampire hours, I ordered a mute. I'll probably never advance beyond grade 1 level, but simple music is music too, and it's a constructive way to pass the time.
If you're thinking of taking up the instrument yourself, or have a child you'd like to encourage, I recommend the Kennedy violins website as a starting point in your search. They also have a strong presence on YouTube to answer any questions you may have. A decent student violin isn't exactly cheap but you don't have to spend thousands either. Most knowledgeable advisors recommend not spending less than $500. A poorly made instrument is a motivation killer.
I'm now a so-so guitar player, a sloppy piano player, and a screechy violinist. Life is good.
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Post by dianedebuda on Feb 5, 2023 14:18:44 GMT
Good for you.
I was shoved unwillingly into learning the violin in 7th grade. My parents were told that it was the best instrument for me by the music director; don't recall that I had any say in it. I was told I was doing quite well, but after about 6 weeks, I broke the bow in half, blaming it on the cat. 😂 It was finally obvious to all that this was not for me & I was released from my sentence. 😇 I wonder now how things would have played out if I'd been able to learn the trumpet, french horn or percussion.
Sang in choirs and tried learning piano and few other instruments through the years, but translating a score to the fingers remains extremely difficult for me.
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Post by jamesjazzguitar on Feb 5, 2023 17:26:55 GMT
Mr. McFeely left this on the porch today. A complete violin rig, including the fiddle, the bow, a premium case and other assorted accessories to get started.
One minor life regret I've had is not taking violin lessons in grade school when I had the chance, so I'm tending to it now. I'm prepared to spend a few hours a week just bowing an open string until I can get a decent tone in proper playing posture. I ordered a few instructional books and have found many YouTube instructors to demonstrate the basics. And, because I keep vampire hours, I ordered a mute. I'll probably never advance beyond grade 1 level, but simple music is music too, and it's a constructive way to pass the time.
If you're thinking of taking up the instrument yourself, or have a child you'd like to encourage, I recommend the Kennedy violins website as a starting point in your search. They also have a strong presence on YouTube to answer any questions you may have. A decent student violin isn't exactly cheap but you don't have to spend thousands either. Most knowledgeable advisors recommend not spending less than $500. A poorly made instrument is a motivation killer.
I'm now a so-so guitar player, a sloppy piano player, and a screechy violinist. Life is good. Good luck on your journey. I took violin lessons as a child\teen and stopped once I entered High School. Learning the violin is great for ear training but unlike piano or even the guitar it takes practice just to play a violin in tune with a nice overall tone. My regret is not picking up the violin again, and learning to play a few jazz standards. This way when a jam has multiple guitar players (and don't they always!), I could play the violin. |
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Post by Unwatchable on Feb 5, 2023 17:40:06 GMT
Mr. McFeely left this on the porch today. A complete violin rig, including the fiddle, the bow, a premium case and other assorted accessories to get started.
One minor life regret I've had is not taking violin lessons in grade school when I had the chance, so I'm tending to it now. I'm prepared to spend a few hours a week just bowing an open string until I can get a decent tone in proper playing posture. I ordered a few instructional books and have found many YouTube instructors to demonstrate the basics. And, because I keep vampire hours, I ordered a mute. I'll probably never advance beyond grade 1 level, but simple music is music too, and it's a constructive way to pass the time.
If you're thinking of taking up the instrument yourself, or have a child you'd like to encourage, I recommend the Kennedy violins website as a starting point in your search. They also have a strong presence on YouTube to answer any questions you may have. A decent student violin isn't exactly cheap but you don't have to spend thousands either. Most knowledgeable advisors recommend not spending less than $500. A poorly made instrument is a motivation killer.
I'm now a so-so guitar player, a sloppy piano player, and a screechy violinist. Life is good. |
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Post by Lucky Dan on Feb 5, 2023 18:48:41 GMT
I'm now a so-so guitar player, a sloppy piano player, and a screechy violinist. Life is good. Good luck on your journey. I took violin lessons as a child\teen and stopped once I entered High School. Learning the violin is great for ear training but unlike piano or even the guitar it takes practice just to play a violin in tune with a nice overall tone. My regret is not picking up the violin again, and learning to play a few jazz standards. This way when a jam has multiple guitar players (and don't they always!), I could play the violin.
I've been trying scratch out "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" on the G string and I sound like a drunk. It's a good practice melody to attempt while I try to get the bow under control. Compared to a guitar, the tuning pegs are very stubborn and the slightest movement can add a whole tone. I opted not to go with 4 fine tuners to force myself to learn to work the pegs. I think for the first few months a half hour or so per day of just getting the basics down will be more than my own ears can take. |
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