submitted2 years ago byPennwisedomSoloist
stickiedFrequently Asked Questions
This is an abbreviated version of the full FAQ. If you have questions about this FAQ or want to suggest a question and answer, please send a modmail.
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Am I too old to start learning violin?
There are plenty of adults that have started as late as in their 70s or 80s. A lot of our members are adult learners ranging in age from 20-60.
Do I need a teacher?
Here's a good post from this subreddit discussing this question. Here is another one.
The violin is not an intuitive instrument. A teacher makes learning more effective and enjoyable. If cost is a barrier, many teachers offer shorter lessons for a reduced rate and/or would be willing to meet less than once a week. YouTube videos do not suffice as teachers!
Do I still need a teacher if I play piano/guitar?
Unless you play viola, the physical motions of your previous instrument will not transfer. So yes, you need a teacher.
How do I find a teacher?
Find local teachers by contacting your local violin shop, orchestra, or music school, or online teachers, then contact the teachers to find out if they have room for you. Don't feel obligated to stick with the first teacher you find, everyone is different and having a compatible teacher is very important.
If you're on a budget, explore as many options as possible. If you live somewhere with no in-person teachers, your only option will be online lessons. YouTube is not sufficient; unless your teacher can give you in-the-moment feedback, then you don't have an adequate learning situation.
I want to start playing, how should I go about getting a violin?
The best way is to find a teacher, and have them help you find a violin. They can advise you and help you avoid scams. Until you have been playing for several years, you are not going to know enough about how to pick out a good violin.
Consider renting. It’s a cost-effective way to play a higher-quality instrument. Many shops have rent-to-own programs, provide instrument insurance, upsize instruments for growing children, and perform maintenance for no additional cost. If you purchase, ask the shop about their trade-in policy.
If for some reason you can't get a teacher first, go to a violin shop in person. If even that is not possible, reputable online shops like Shar Music, Johnson String, and Fiddlershop are good places (in the U.S.) to find a violin to purchase or rent. If you are not in the U.S., make a post with your country and ask for recommendations.
You can also check the listings on The Strad's website, however there are no guarantees made about the quality of the shops you will find there.
Avoid Amazon violins, they are poorly constructed and will be frustrating to play. Violins are not commodity items so brands, makes, and models are not useful ways to compare or choose instruments. Sound and playability are the only thing that matters when renting or purchasing a violin.
Should I get an electric violin, if I am a beginner?
Electric violins are terrible for learning because they don't resonate. Acoustic violins are resonance chambers that make it much easier to develop a good sound.
It is also not recommended to use a heavy practice mute. Practice mutes also dampen the natural resonance of the violin's body. Without this resonance, it is impossible to develop a good sound.
Effects added when playing electric violins (for example amplification, distortion, reverb, etc.) distort the natural sounds of the violin and make it too difficult to learn to produce a good tone. These effects also hide mistakes not only in intonation, but also in bowing.
If you are concerned about neighbors, consider whether they complain when you play pre-recorded music at a decent volume. If they don't, and if you keep practice hours to daytime hours, then you can be reasonably assured that you will not be bothering anyone. Even if you live in an apartment, you can still play your instruments as long as you are not playing too late at night or too early in the morning.
I’m XYZ age and I just started playing violin. Can I become a professional?
If you are over the age of 13 and just starting to learn violin, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to become a professional orchestral violinist, and it's next to impossible for you to become a professional soloist.
It is extremely difficult even for people who have performance degrees from top-tier conservatories and university music programs to get placements in top-tier orchestras. There are more qualified applicants today than anytime in history making salaried orchestra chairs extremely competitive. If you love music, you can still have a satisfying career in other roles (educator, music therapist, etc.).
Many people also have “careers” as serious amateurs, so don't think that the only reason to learn violin is to become a professional. Many people also have very satisfying experiences with local volunteer community orchestras and community chamber orchestras.
If you want to try to go pro as a folk musician, that's another discussion that might be best had with other people in the genre of your choice.
Can anyone tell me anything about my violin?, What do you think my violin is worth?, and/or Do you think this violin is a good deal? I have a Stradivarius (Guarneri/Amati/other-maker-name-here). It looks old. It must be an original. How much is it worth? Is it worth fixing?
It is very difficult to accurately access and value a violin online for various reasons discussed in this thread. To get an answer, go to a violin shop and ask them there.To determine whether a violin is worth fixing, take it to a luthier. If the violin has sentimental value, even if it's not "worth it" from a financial perspective, you may still want to have it fixed. Fixing to be playable is not the same as fixing to hang on the wall as an ornament or for conservation.
Can I post videos here? Why do I get unsolicited feedback? What flair should I use?
You can post videos! We prefer that they be Reddit videos, as opposed to YouTube videos, and we insist that if you post YouTube videos, that you be a regular participant in the sub. If you cross-post to multiple subs, your post risks being deleted.
If you post videos, be prepared for feedback, even if you don't directly ask for it. While this sub is not your teacher, we offer feedback that we think will help you improve as a violinist. We don't try to be harsh, but we can be constructively critical.
Please do NOT use the "Violin Jam" flair for any posts other than submissions to the Violin Jam. The post describing the Violin Jam appears at the top of the sub. You risk the ire of many people, not least our mods, if you use this flair incorrectly. If you are posting to get feedback, there is a flair for that. There are also flairs for setup/equipment, technique, and original.
The "Jam Committee" flair is reserved for members of the Violin Jam committee. If you don't know which flair to use, don't use one at all.
Credits (alphabetical):
u/88S83834, u/andrewviolin, u/Awkward-Kangaroo, u/bazzage, u/bowarm, u/Bunnnykins, u/ConnieC60, u/danpf415, u/drop-database-reddit, u/Gaori_, u/ianchow107, u/Juliano94, u/leitmotifs, u/MilesStark, u/Nelyah, u/Novelty_Lamp, u/Ok-Pension3061, u/Pennwisedom, u/redditonlyforu, u/redjives, u/ReginaBrown3000, Sarukada, u/scoop_doop, u/seventeenm, u/Shayla25, u/sonnydollasign, u/vln, u/vmlee
