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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.

Violin notes and finger placement are two basic concepts that you must understand if you want to get to get any good at playing the violin. You will need to know how to read violin notes and also the position of each of the violin string notes.

Let’s have a look at these basic concepts, shall we?

Where are the Notes on a Violin?

Begin by having references for violin note diagrams (such as the ones in this article) and memorize the position of each note. In this post, we will go through how to use tapes to help you make things easier, but for now, getting the basic note position right is what you should focus on.

Start off by practicing the first position until you get that down pat.

The first position makes use of the lowest five notes on each string. This is trickier than it sounds because getting the position even a little wrong means that the note will not sound quite right. In order to make things easier for you when you are learning, you can place tapes on the violin.

Once you have practiced enough, however, your fingers will instinctively know where to place themselves, and the tapes can be removed. But first, let’s look at Intonation.

What is Intonation?

Intonation is where you place your fingers on the strings. This finger placement affects the pitch of the notes that you play – that is, whether they have a higher pitch, or a lower one. Intonation is extremely important because it affects how good the piece will end up sounding.

Just like when you are playing the piano, you will deal with half-steps and full-steps. If a note is marked with a #, it means that it is sharp, i.e., one half-step higher than the normal note would be.

When a note is marked with a ♭, it means that it is flat, i.e., one half-step lower than the normal note would be.

As you are studying to play the violin, you should have found yourself some violin fingering charts. Memorize these before you start to play so that you know all the violin finger positions. That way, when it comes to playing, you will know where to put your fingers and get the intonation right from day one.

Using Finger Tapes

Start out by ensuring that your violin has been properly tuned. There are smartphone apps or specialized devices that you can use to help with this. Check and check again before you put the tapes on or you might end up with the wrong notes without realizing it.

Now, starting at the top fingerboard on the G string, move to a spot around two inches along the string and then pluck it. Check the tuner to make sure that the note reads as A on the tuner.

Now take a pencil and mark the spot. Then put a three-inch tape strip in position along the spot but under the strings. Make sure that it adheres firmly to the violin.

Check the Index Finger

Now hold your index finger down on the tape and proceed to pluck each of the strings individually. Check the tuner to make sure that the tuner shows an A.  If so, you can leave the tape where it is, if not, you may need to adjust its position. This process will be followed for every tape you place.

The Second Finger

Start this one about an inch from where you put the first piece of tape. Follow the same process as above. This time, the G string should show up as B on your tuner.

Your Ring Finger

This is up to a maximum of a half an inch from where you place the second piece of tape. The G string should show up as C on your tuner.

The Pinky

This one is around an inch from where you put the third piece of tape, and you should move it along the string until your tuner shows D.

Violin Notes and Finger Placement

Now you have a basic understanding of violin notes and finger placement; you have somewhere to start. It is tempting to try and practice different positions all at once, but you will progress a lot better if you stick to the first position while you are still learning.

This gives you a chance to perfect your technique without having to worry about changing finger positions too much.

From then on, all you need to do is to practice every day until your fingers fly over the fingerboard without you needing to think about it.