Learning Violin As An Adult

The violin is one of the most beautiful musical instruments to listen to, and one of the most satisfying instruments to play.

Many adults remember a time in childhood when they wanted to learn, or got frustrated with lessons and quit early, and now regret the decision.

There are many reasons an adult may want to start playing the violin and wonder if it’s too late. But adult violin lessons are beneficial and rewarding in many ways, some of which you may not expect. Let’s take a closer look at violin lessons for adults.

Is it Difficult to Learn Violin?

The violin is regarded as one of the most difficult instruments to learn. While it may seem simpler than others, with only four strings and a bow, it presents a lot of challenges for beginners. However, it is also one of the most rewarding instruments, particularly for adults.

The physical and mental challenges of the violin are associated with improved attention span, enhanced memory, and improved executive functions that have been shown to protect older adults from cognitive decline.

Violin may be difficult to learn, but most players agree that it is worth the effort.

Is it Too Late to Learn Violin?

No, it is never too late to learn violin, or fiddle if you prefer. While a child’s brain has a high level of adaptability and rapid learning that makes it easier to start learning an instrument in childhood, adults have many advantages over children when learning to play and read music, particularly when it comes to the violin.

Learning Violin as an Adult has its Benefits

In many cases, adults can even learn to play faster and better than children. There are a lot of advantages to beginning violin lessons as an adult, including:

Adults are More Responsible

This may sound simple, but it’s actually incredibly important. A violin is not a high-maintenance instrument, but it does require some care and diligence.

An adult is much more likely to remember to care for their violin and bow and keep them in good condition. This is important because a well-cared-for instrument sounds better and makes violin practice more rewarding.

Adults Have Better Focus and Concentration

Adults learn to read music more quickly because they are more focused and attentive. Adults are also capable of paying attention to both the music and their posture at the same time, which children find difficult to do.

Adults Have Greater Emotional Control

Statistically, most children get frustrated with the violin and quit their lessons. Adults are better able to manage their frustrations and balance their emotions, which leads to greater rewards.

Adults Have More Commitment

Adults are far better than children at pursuing long-term goals. They understand the value of hard work and persistence, so they will invest time in lessons and practice and follow through on their commitments.

In other words, many children need to be constantly supervised, nagged, and reminded when they are studying the violin, which can make learning slower, more difficult, and less rewarding for everyone.

An adult can learn more quickly, not just because the adult mind focuses attention better, but because they are more motivated and committed.

Can I Learn Violin on My Own?

If you want to learn violin by yourself at home without going to a class, you can absolutely learn violin on your own.

There are abundant online resources that will help you learn and practice, and many of them are either free or extremely affordable.

For inspiration, listen to the progress and experiences of YouTuber Colton Baird-Rowe, who taught himself violin using books and YouTube videos.

However, every beginning violin player, at any age, can benefit from personalized instruction, even if it’s online via video chat or something similar.

A professional violin tutor can give you feedback on your form and on your playing, and give you personalized instruction that will help you progress more quickly.

In fact, it’s best to get that kind of individual feedback and instruction from online violin lessons very early as you are learning the instrument.

If you develop habitually poor posture or body mechanics while playing the violin, it can be more difficult to correct later.

The best beginning violin lessons for adults give you that kind of personalized feedback and commentary early, so that you can develop good habits that will help you progress more quickly.

How Much are Violin Lessons for Adults?

There are many different approaches for adult violin lessons, and each has a different associated cost. Generally speaking, here is what you can expect to pay for different types of violin lessons:

Free

There are a huge number of YouTube channels and podcasts that offer violin lessons and insights into the instrument. You may also check out books from your library.

Low Cost

Many community centers, recreation or activity facilities, and community colleges offer violin lessons. These may cost $25-$250 for a 6-10 week series of classes, depending on what is offered in your community.

Very Affordable

There are a huge range of online violin lessons available from general educational sites like Udemy and Fiverr, many for as low as $10 per lesson.

Affordable

There are also a lot of websites offering specialized violin instruction, ranging from beginner level to master classes.

It’s a good idea to choose a more expensive package that offers personalized feedback and instruction via video, and these typically have a monthly cost from $30-50, or annual costs from $150-300.

Expensive

Hiring a violin instructor to tutor you in person is the most expensive option, and typically costs $50-125 per hour.

If you are wondering how much violin lessons cost, the truth is that the cost really depends on the level of instruction you are looking for.

Most adults have busy schedules, so prefer to use a combination of approaches that fit their specific budget and time availability.

For example, they may pay more for a once-weekly video lesson with a tutor but use apps or online videos for daily practice and skill building.

Online violin lessons for adults can be an incredibly flexible way to learn and practice the violin, with the time and budget that works best for you.

In other words, not only can adults learn violin, but they should. People are living longer than ever, and it’s never too late to learn a new skill or take up a new hobby.

In fact, science shows that learning and practicing music, even when you begin in adulthood, helps to improve memory and cognition, and delays cognitive decline and dementia.

In Summary, It’s Never Too Late For An Adult To Learn Violin

Violin lessons for adults are readily available, online and in person, and many instructors prefer to teach adults rather than children.

Even if you feel too old to be a violin prodigy, or start a career in the symphony, playing the violin can bring you years of enjoyment and let you create beautiful music on your own or with others.

If you are an adult considering learning the violin, there’s no reason not to begin today.

We certainly hope you benefit from the information we provide in this article! Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!

Online Violin Lessons: Top Questions And Answers

Online violin lessons are available from a number of reputable providers and serve a broad range of interactive tastes. Here are some of our favorites at a glance:

Service	Who’s It For?	Is There An Offer?
ArtistWorks.com	ArtistWarks offers lessons from top respected professionals and has two options depending on your tastes. Darol Anger focuses on contemporary fiddle, and Richard Amoroso who teaches classical violin.	Trial – Yes
RedDesertViolin.com	If you’re looking for a more traditional teaching experience from a down-to-earth instructor, then Lora Staples from Red Desert Violin is your best choice.	Trial – Yes
MasterClass.com	If you want instruction from world famous violinist Itzhak Perlman, this is your opportunity. Through MasterClass, access to the world’s best players has never been easier.	Trial – Yes

Options and Obstacles to Learning Violin Online

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for those who want to learn violin is the fact that many of us have busy schedules. There may not be time to commute to lessons, or to practice for hours every day, and the desire to learn the violin has to be balanced with all the other commitments of daily life.

For a busy person, especially in isolation, online violin lessons can be a much more flexible solution. But are online violin lessons any good, and can you really teach yourself the violin? Let’s explore some of the options you can use to learn violin online.

Can I Teach Myself the Violin?

Most people can’t simply pick up the violin and learn to play a pleasing tune, unlike people who can pick out a song on the piano without any instruction. Learning to play the violin is more complex and difficult.

However, if you want to teach yourself to play using the rich quantity of online resources, including apps, websites, tutors, and more, it’s completely possible to learn to play the violin without having an in-person violin teacher.

For some motivation and inspiration, check out this progress video from self-taught violin player Melaviolingirl.

Can I Learn Violin Without Teaching?

You can’t learn violin without some form of teaching. Playing the violin properly requires specific hand and body postures, and the instrument doesn’t have frets that help you with finger placement.

Even if your instruction is simply through YouTube videos or online lessons, you do need some form of teaching in order to learn the violin.

Is it Possible to Learn Violin Online?

Yes, you can learn to play the violin online! There are a huge range of lessons and resources to help you learn without taking the time and effort to leave your home.

Online violin lessons cost different amounts depending on how personalized your instruction is. Here are just a few of the best online resources to help you learn the violin, and what you might expect to pay:

Violin Learning Apps

Believe it or not, there are a ton of apps that can help you learn and practice the violin right from your phone or tablet. Most violin lesson apps are free or available for a very low cost under $10. Here are some great choices:

• Notes Teacher is designed to help you learn to read music, and improve your sheet music reading skills. It is designed for any instrument, and can help a beginner violin player quickly learn to read music
• Violin Flash Cards is a visual tool that helps you connect sheet music with fingerboard position. Every card includes audio reference so you can connect the written music to your sound
• nTune is a free app that helps beginners tune their violin, and includes playback options for both plucking and bowing
• Scales Practice helps beginners learn scales and notes, with repetition and tempo options that help train the ear, or use Smart Chords and Tools to practice chords, finger positions, and tuning
• Trala is a violin learning app developed by professional violinists, and includes immediate audio feedback to help correct your tuning and start your online violin lessons on the right foot
• Myongaku is a violin lesson app that teaches the Suzuki method. It has over 500 video lessons and is a great choice for people who want online Suzuki violin lessons

Violin Learning YouTube Channels

YouTube is rich with opportunities to learn the violin. Channels like Violin Tutor Pro, the Online Violin and Piano Tutor, Violinspiration, and Violin Lab Channel offer you a huge range of personalities and approaches to online violin lessons.

You can choose the style that suits you best and have violin lessons whenever you want them. And YouTube violin lessons don’t cost anything.

Violin Learning Websites

Most violin instruction websites have instruction packages that include watching videos, practice assignments, and skills training.

Many also have companion apps and YouTube channels that give you more ways to learn, and these sites also often let you purchase online group classes or personalized instruction.

Online violin lesson websites usually charge by the month or year, with costs that range from about $30 to month or $250 per year. Here are some of the best violin learning websites:

ArtistWorks Online Fiddle and Violin Lessons

Darol Anger of ArtistWorks.com has created a comprehensive video library that includes hundreds of fiddle lessons, exclusive performances, and interviews.

Students have unlimited access to all these online fiddle lessons plus tabs, backing tracks, and other study materials.

Learn Fiddle Online with Lessons from Darol Anger

About Darol

Darol Anger has helped drive the evolution of the contemporary string band through his founding of numerous pathbreaking ensembles such as his Republic Of Strings, the Turtle Island String Quartet, the David Grisman Quintet, Montreux, the Duo, and numerous other ensembles.

Richard Amoroso has created a comprehensive video library at ArtistWorks.com that includes hundreds of violin lessons.

Students have unlimited access to Richard’s entire violin method plus notation and other study materials. Newly added lessons include many additional beginner violin songs and fundamental violin basics.

Learn Violin Lessons Online from Richard Amoroso

About Richard

Violinist Richard Amoroso currently serves as a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition to his two decade residency with the Philadelphia Orchestra,

Richard has graced famed concert halls around the world, including soloing at Carnegie Hall, and performing at the Suntoryi Hall, and the Wiener Musikvere.

Red Desert Violin Lessons

Membership is FREE at Red Desert Violin! Get regular tips plus links that will guide you to our best free content designed to help improve your playing. Work on tone, rhythm, practice tips and more for free with Lora Staples at Red Desert Violin.

Learn Violin Online with Lora Staples

About Lora

Lora has a Master’s Degree in violin performance, has achieved full ride scholarships, professional orchestra membership (as principal second violin), and solos with several orchestras.

MasterClass Violin Lessons with Itzhak Perlman

The world’s reigning virtuoso violin player, Itzhak Perlman performs for presidents, royals, and classical music lovers around the world.

Now, with the help of MasterClass, the beloved Juilliard instructor and 15-time Grammy Award winner brings his passion for teaching to a wide audience for the first time.

Enjoy Violin Lessons Online with renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman

Learn fundamental techniques, practice strategies, and how to add richness and depth to your sound.

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• Violinlab.com was founded by Beth Blackerby, who performs with the Austin Symphony and the Barton Strings Quartet, as well as teaching violin at Southwestern University in Texas. She was inspired by the passion and enthusiasm of her adult students and wanted to build not just an online violin lesson website, but to build a community to foster that enthusiasm. Violinlab has a great YouTube channel and provides free sample videos of their lessons.
• StringSchool.org has affordable online group violin lessons, organized by video chat. They also offer one-day and short workshops on focused topics like musical theory, electric violin, improvisation, and more. They also offer one-on-one private lessons via Zoom.
• Violinspiration.com is focused exclusively on the needs of adult violin students, and offers a step-by-step learning system, live online lessons, feedback and community support, and more. You can also join for free and get access to videos, sheet music, and worksheets

Private Online Violin Instruction and Tutoring

These are sites and tools that let you connect with a violin teacher online, for one-on-one video chat, feedback, and instruction.

They can be a great way to get real, personalized violin lessons online without leaving your home. Online private violin lessons typically cost $25-$50 per hour.

• Takelessons.com is an online platform for one-on-one video instruction for a huge range of subjects, with vetted and rated teachers, personalized instruction, and a money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied. You can connect with a great violin teacher locally or online.
• Apprentus.com allows you to search for local teachers who can privately instruct you in nearly any subject, with clearly visible ratings and rates.
• Preply.com is focused on language learning, but it has a huge number of music and violin teachers who are available to give you personalized online instructions. You can search for violin teachers by rating, price, or schedule to find the right fit for you.

What is the Best Way to Learn Violin?

The best way for beginners to learn violin is to choose a variety of different systems that work best for their time, budget, and learning style. A great approach is to:

• Start with free YouTube channels and experiment with different lesson structures and teaching styles to find one that you like best
• Upgrade to paid, structured online lessons from a website, once you have found one that suits your preferences
• Use an app to guide your practice and sharpen specific skills outside of structured lesson times
• Invest in real-time online video group or individual lessons to get personalized feedback
• Choose an online targeted workshop or intensive masterclass to play like a pro

However, every violin beginner can choose the right combination of tools and resources that help them grow as a violin player, whether their goal is to play for themselves or play in an orchestra.

If you are considering learning to play the violin, there are an incredible number of online violin lessons, tutorials, videos, forums, apps, and even games that can help you learn how to play.

You are never too old, or even young, to start learning an instrument, and the violin is one of the most beautiful and challenging instruments in the world.

With all these online violin lessons for beginners and adults alike, you’re sure to find the right approach at the right budget for your needs.

How To Prepare and Rosin a Violin Bow

Skills You’ll Need to Get Started

You’ll need to rosin the bow before using it for the first time, which can be slightly difficult, but will become easier. Another skill you’ll need to learn is how to tighten the bow. In this post, we’ll go through how to do both tasks.

Tighten the Bow

How to tighten a violin bow

Adjusting the tension of your bow is vital for getting the best possible performance. It can be tricky at first, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. How often to tighten it will depend on how often you’ll play, but it’s best to reset the tension before every session.

You have to achieve a balance between the optimal tension and tightening it so much that you damage the body. Loosen the tension when you’re finished playing as this extends the lifespan of the bow. To loosen the tension, turn the adjustment button.

How tight should a violin bow be?

It’s better to err on the side of too loose here. Over-tightening places extra stress on the bow and can cause it to snap. It will also make it difficult to play correctly. If you’re finding it hard to control the bow, it could be an issue with tension.

Over time, you’ll get a feel for the correct tightness, which is something that’s difficult to describe. It’s best to get the bow tightened by your teacher the first few times so that you know what the correct tension feels like.

Alternatively, you can use a pencil to check whether or not the tension is correct. Place the pencil between the hairs and the bow at the center. If the tension is correct, the pencil will touch both sides.

Apply Rosin to the Violin Bow

For the first application:

• Score the rosin’s surface. This will help you to get a better grip on the hair. You can score the surface using a knife or fork. Your aim is to get the cake looking a bit scuffed and to remove the gloss.
• The cake should then be applied to the hair of the bow. Make sure that your fingers don’t touch it at the same time. The oils on your fingers can prevent it from sticking as it should.
• Pass the cake all the way along the hair using a steady motion. Run it back down again. Every pass should cover the entire length of hair.
• Passing slowly is essential for even distribution.
• The initial rosin application takes a while. You will need to pass the cake over a total of thirty to fifty times. Slowly is best here as too much friction will cause heat that melts the rosin.
• You should also move the cake around a bit so that you don’t settle into one single groove.
• Expect to see a lot of dust. It’s perfectly normal. Wipe it off with a dry, soft cloth. Do this every time you play and wipe the violin down as well.

For reapplications:

As you get used to the feeling of applying the rosin, you’ll figure out how often you should reapply it. When reapplying, you’ll follow the same procedure, except that this time you only need to pass it over between three and five times.

How often should you rosin your bow?

After the initial application, re-applying rosin is something that you’ll want to do after playing for about four to six hours. It will help the bow hair last longer and will help you to get the best performance out of the bow.

According to the Suzuki Association, it might be difficult to tell by looking if you need to add extra rosin, so you’ll need to rely on other senses as well.

Examples of Good Violin Rosin:

D'Addario Violin Rosin - Cello Rosin - Natural...

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Sound Harbor 2 Pack Rosin for Violin, Viola &...

D'Addario Violin Rosin - Cello Rosin - Kaplan...

How do I keep my violin bow in good condition?

Keeping your bow in good condition means looking after it properly. Here are some tips to help you with that:

• Rosin the hair properly before using it the first time. Yes, it takes some time to do this, but it can extend the useful lifespan and improve the sound you get. So, make an effort.
• It makes sense to apply rosin when you feel it might be necessary. The rosin helps the hairs to move smoothly across the strings, which reduces friction and extends the life of the hair.
• Loosen the tension when you’re finished playing. You’ll need to re-tighten it before playing again. It’s essential to avoid stress fractures in the wood.
• Wipe it down after every use to remove dust.

Final Notes

It’s basic common sense – the better you care for your musical instruments, the better they will last you. Now that you know how to rosin a violin bow, you’re on your way to keeping it looking good and working well for longer.

At some stage, you’ll need to get a replacement. You’ll be able to find a good selection for beginners or intermediate players here.

Working on your violin bow hold is an essential part of perfecting your technique. “What is the proper way to hold a bow?” and “How can I improve my violin bowing?” are two questions that we hear a lot. In this post, we’ll attempt to answer both of those questions for you.

How to Hold a Violin Bow

Learning how to hold a violin bow is not all that complicated. We recommend that you attend at least one lesson so that you can learn good habits from an instructor. Once you form bad habits, it’s difficult to unlearn them.

The Thumb Position

You’ll bend your thumb to close to a 90-degree angle. The right corner should be inserted into the gap that’s formed between the leather section of the grip and the frog. Do NOT place it in the frog’s notch.

You’ll know you have it right when you can feel the metal clip holding the hair in place under your thumbnail. You should be able to feel a little of the hair in the bow as well.

The Position of the Fingers

According to Strings Magazine, the rest of the fingers should be quite easy to position. They’ll curve naturally into the right shape. Your middle finger should be draped over. You’ll be able to feel the leather grip on your knuckle. The tip of the finger should be on the metal clip.

Your ring finger should also be draped over your bow. You will even feel the stick against your knuckle. The tip of your finger should cover the frog’s center dot.

Your pinky should barely touch the bow. It should rest on top of it. Keep it bent and away from the adjusting screw.

Your index finger is draped similarly, but your knuckle will feel the metal winding. This figure is meant to wrap around the body, and the tip should touch the leather grip. This is the most critical finger position.

The index finger should never be straightened while playing. It is this finger that is going to do most of the work here.

Try and space your fingers as evenly as possible. The gap between the middle and index fingers can be a little wider, but the rest should be equidistant.

How Tightly Should I Hold it?

You need to keep a good grip without holding on too tightly. The more relaxed your hand is, the better control you can exercise. That’s especially important in getting your best performance possible.

The Contact Point

Positioning is essential when you’re using the bow to play as well. You need to put the midsection either on the A or the D string. It should be held parallel to your violin’s bridge and the fingerboard’s end. The hair should connect at the fullest section of the F hole.

This will be about half of the way between the fingerboard and the bridge. This position should be more comfortable as your elbow and wrist should be level. Keeping your arm higher will increase the tension. This, in turn, makes it harder to control the movements.

It’s common for beginners to place the hairs too close to the violin’s fingerboard. You could try stopping up the hole with a straw so that you remember not to do this. Your wrist should stay flexible, and your arm should be relaxed.

Final Notes

Getting the right position is essential. Not getting this right will mean that playing will be more difficult. If you’re not sure that you are getting the position right, consider practicing in front of a mirror.

Now that you know how to hold a violin bow, you can learn more about its construction. This article will provide you with a rundown of what materials make up the bow and how to choose the best one for you.

Learning how to read violin notes through sheet music is an extremely valuable skill, it will also allow you to play a variety of different instruments.;

It gives you a basic understanding of the sequence of music, the tempo, and so much more. However, there are many instruments, such as the violin, that have specialized notations to indicate specific playing techniques. Reading sheet music for the violin requires an understanding of where to put your fingers/hands, how to move the bow, and much more, to create the unique/beautiful sound of the violin.

Music Basics

First of all, you must learn the the basics of the staff and clef. The staff is the set of lines on the page where the notes are. The clef is the first mark on the staff, on the left-hand side. This tells you the musical register in which you are going to play.

Once you’ve learned the staff and clef, you must learn the names of the notes. The notes are the round circles on the lines or in the spaces of the staff. The notes that are in the spaces, from the bottom to the top spell FACE. The notes that are on the lines, from bottom to the top are E, G, B, D, F (my music teacher taught me to remember the sentence Every Good Boy Does Fine for the notes on the lines).

Now, you will learn the violin notes that correspond with the open strings, which is when you play a note without pressing down with your finger. A violin has four open note strings—E, A, D, and G—listed in order from thinnest—right to thickest—left when holding the violin in a playing position.

Next, if you want to be able to play more than just E, A, D, and G, you must press on the strings with your fingers. Therefore, you should number each of your fingers on your left hand as follows:

• Index finger- #1
• Middle finger- #2
• Ring finger- #3
• Pinky finger- #4

Best Selling Violin Books for Reference:

Essential Elements for Strings - Violin Book 1...

Suzuki Violin School, Vol 1: Violin Part

I Can Read Music, Vol 1: Violin (For Violin)

Now, it’s time to learn how to finger the strings. As you place another finger on the string, the note of that string will go up in tone. For example, when you draw your bow across the “D” string, it plays the “D” note. When you place your index finger on it, you will be playing a “C#.” You will go the rest of the way up the scale by placing the rest of your fingers on the string, one by one.

Once you have your pinky finger on the “D” string, you will move to the next string, “A,” to play the next note in the scale. You’ll start just as you did above and play the string open (not pressed down) and then, one by one, add your finger to it.

Finally, when you are playing the violin, one hand will wrap around the neck so that you can press the strings with your fingers. you can play the strings closer to the peg box (the top of the neck), which is 1st position, or closer to the bridge (the body of the violin), in 3rd, 4th, or 5th positions. You will move your hand up or down the fingerboard depending on which position is indicated on the music by Roman numerals.

Violin Bow Movements

There are several symbols that indicate how you should play with the bow of the violin. When there is a “V” shaped marking under the note, it is showing that the bow movement should be upward. If you see a marking that resembles a table with legs, it is showing that the bow movement should be downward.

When you see an angle bracket symbol, such as >, this is an accent and tells you that the note needs to be played strongly. If you see a symbol that looks much like a thick comma, this indicates that the bow should be lifted and brought back to where it started.

In some music, there will be a notation that will show you which part of the bow should be used on a specific segment or note in the music. The following are the common initials used to do this:

• WB: whole
• LH: lower
• UH: upper
• MB: middle

Dynamics/Style Markings

In sheet music, you will also find what are known as dynamics and style markings. When you see the marking “vibr,” it should be played as vibrato. This is the warble effect when you are playing a note and can be achieved by bending/unbending your finger as you play.

When you see the marking “pizz,” it should be played as pizzicato, which is when you pluck the string with your finger. If you don’t see any obvious markings to indicate that you should play in “pizzicato” then play it as “arco,” which means using the bow to play.

In some music, pizzicato will be designated as “Bartok pizzicato” which is a symbol of a circle with a vertical line. This indicates that you should play the note with an extra snap by pinching the string between two fingers and letting it snap back.

Another common style of violin playing is tremolo; this is when you play rapid sounds as you pull the bow back and forth across the string(s). This is indicated with lines that are thick and short diagonals through the stem of the note or the note itself.

You must understand the style markings because they show you the mood that the music should be played in. You will typically find these indicated in Italian. Below are some of the common words you will see and their translation.

• Con – With
• Poco a poco – Little by little
• Meno mosso – Less movement
• Dolce – Sweetly
• Allegro – Quickly/lively

Finally, make sure that you are paying attention to the dynamics in your music, as this indicated how loud/soft the music should be played. Typically, dynamics are indicated below the staff and will change as you go through the music. These also may be in Italian:

• Pianissimo – Very quiet
• Mezzo – Medium
• Fortissimo – Very loud

You may also see these indicated with lowercase letters such as p for pianissimo, ff for fortissimo, and mezzo for medium. A diminuendo or a crescendo is indicated by a long, thin accent mark and indicates that you should gradually get quieter or louder.

Violin Notes: Conclusion

Learning to read sheet music will open a variety of doors for you, because once you learn, you’ll be able to learn most any instrument. However, when it comes to violin notes, there are a few special things that you must also learn to properly play the violin.

A Quick Starters Guide For New Violinists On How To Play The Violin

A violin is a four-stringed musical instrument that is played with the help of a bow and your fingers. It entails putting the instrument under your chin, as your left shoulder supports it in a relaxed manner.

With the help of your left hand, the sounding length of the strings is regulated by pressing them against the fingerboard, creating different notes.

Sound is produced through vibration when you draw the bow across the strings, and the bow comes in contact with the strings. Alternatively, you can also pluck the strings to create a different sound rather than using a bow. This method is known as pizzicato.

The following steps will help you learn the basics on how to play violin.

Use the correct posture

If you are standing, stand straight with your knees apart the same width as your shoulders, and relax your knees.

When seated, use a firm chair and sit straight towards the front part of the chair, place your left foot slightly forward for a more comfortable position.

How to hold the violin

Ease your hand, wrist and left shoulder. The parts of your body directly involved should be comfortably relaxed and free.

Hold the violin parallel to the floor with your elbow bended to an angle, and your fingers pointing to your eyes. Your elbow should be under the center of the violin.

Place the violin against your chin and left shoulder. Place the violin on the soft spot behind your left collar bone and rest the left side of your jaw on the violin by tilting your head slightly and carefully pressing your chin down on the chin rest.

Place one finger on each string. With your wrist gently rounded, your fingers should be positioned in a slightly curled manner, parallel to one another; the proper hand position should have a small window in between.

When curling your fingers, the thumb should be facing the index finger in a curved, backwards C position, with an open space in between the thumb and the index finger.

How to hold the bow

With your right hand at ease, turn your wrist slightly to the left. Place your thumb at the bottom of the bow with your index finger on top of the thumb creating a ring.

Then, let your other fingers drop into place. Your ring finger should be in line with the other three fingers to create balance.

Hold the violin and the bow together. Position the bow between the fingerboard and the bridge. Place the bow on the strings. This position is known as “con arco.” With your right arm bent at a 90° angle, draw the bow against the strings in a straight line.

The bow should always remain straight and parallel to the bridge, and should not bend in any direction for it to perform accordingly.

A loud sound can be produced by drawing the bow with heavy pressure near the bridge. For a softer sound, use a light bow pressure and draw the bow close to the fingerboard.

Basic finger positions

Overall, there are fifteen violin finger positions including the half tones. The basic positions are from the first to eighth positions. Note that the position changes depending on the placement of your fingers.

Remember to arrange your fingers first on the note that you want to play before drawing the bow as this is easier. Change notes using the slide technique.

• First position—This position is the nearest to the nut or the scroll end, and the furthest from your face. In this position, the hand is low on the fingerboard. Thus, on the A string, finger 1 will play B in first position
• Third position—In this position, finger 1 will move up to the location where the third finger is placed when playing the first position
• Fifth position—This position can be easily learned after you’ve mastered third position. Fifth position is placed higher on the fingerboard, close to where the body of the violin starts. This position is played by sliding finger 1 to the place where finger 3 is placed in the third position
• Second position—This position can be quite confusing since it closely resembles the first position with just one finger off. For this position, place finger 1 on the spot where finger 2 is located in the first position
• Fourth position—Located between the third and fifth positions, it is helpful when you play the third position and you want to lengthen your note range to avoid crossing strings. This is also helpful when you want to play a slightly lower note without having to change strings
• Sixth position—Has the same fingering as the second position
• Seventh position—Has the same fingering as the third position

Practice and Instruction

Like anything worthwhile, the benefits only come after the work has been put in. Learning how to play a violin is not necessarily an overnight process, but the rewards of being able to play music will last a lifetime!

A solid practice regimen will produce results faster. We recommend at least 20 minutes per day for new violinists, or more if possible.

Last but not least, getting qualified instruction and using good reference materials is key. Whether you seek private instruction, or take advantage of free violin lessons through Youtube, the best violin lessons for any individual are a matter of simply knowing what’s out there.

To get a good head start, check out our article featuring some of the best resources and instructors for online violin lessons here.