The violin is a beautiful, but complex instrument. While it sounds amazing when mastered, it takes time and dexterity to learn. There are many parts to consider. This string instrument is one of the hardest instruments to play as it involves many complex hand positions, movement, and the combination of moving the bow while pressing the strings. However, much like learning any instrument, practice and patience are key for any beginner.
Here are three tips to keep in mind for beginner violin students.
1) Exercise Patience
We can’t stress enough that the violin is a hard instrument to learn. This isn’t to discourage anyone from trying, but to prepare for the reality that it isn’t as easy and effortless as it looks. With that in mind, give yourself the grace to work through the process.
Some students, particularly those with previous music background, may be able to grasp concepts quicker than others, but it still takes years to learn how to play violin correctly.
2. Use proper posture and position
As an instrument that requires a range of motion, it is important that you prepare your body for the positions it will be in. Good posture and mechanics will help prevent overuse injury. The neck, shoulder, and temporomandibular joint (around the jaw area) are the most commonly affected areas along with elbow and fingers.
Warm-up your wrist and fingers before playing. When you play the violin, you use your hand in different ways and angles, including spinning. A warm-up will help improve your ability to move accurately and quickly.
To prevent injuries as you play, it is important to know the proper posture to play the violin.
We recommend working with a teacher as written instructions can easily be misunderstood. Keep an upright position and position your heels together to make a “V” shape. Then turn your head to line up with your left foot and drop your chin on the violin, keeping the violin parallel to the floor.
3) Work with a Good Violin Teacher
As an incredibly difficult instrument to learn, achieving a high degree of skill when playing by yourself is hard more times than not.
Being a self-taught violinist isn’t impossible, but unlike guitar and piano, it is simply not as simple. Incorrect posture and technique can result in strain, pain, and injury. With a violin you control the sound from how you place the bow and press on the strings, the sound is completely controlled by you. A strong understanding of how to control intonation, bow speed, pressure, alignment, and anticipation of the music are all techniques that are hard to just ‘pick up’. Having a highly trained teacher will help minimize any injuries and help produce the desired sound.
A supportive violin teacher will go through the fundamentals, posture, movement, and create systematic lessons to guide the learning process.
Looking for a violin teacher?
At Heritage Music School, Surrey violin teachers, students, and families are discovering the beauty of the violin. Contact us at our Surrey or Langley music schools today with any questions you have about lessons, fees, and schedules, or for a free music assessment.