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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.

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.