10 members (Fdemetrio, VNORTH2, Gary E. Andrews, Perry Neal Crawford, couchgrouch, Sunset Poet, Guy E. Trepanier, bennash, Bill Draper, David Gill),
4,088
guests, and
270
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Welcome to the Just Plain Folks forums! You are currently viewing our forums as a Guest which gives you limited access to most of our discussions and to other features.
By joining our free community you will have access to post and respond to topics, communicate privately with our users (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other features. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free; so please join our community today!
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313
Top 200 Poster
|
OP
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313 |
I am considering taking up the violin. From all I have read and heard, they are a challenging instrument but I have always wanted to learn. Can anyone give me some advice on what might be a good make or model to start with. I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money but want it to have enough qualit that it does not make the learning experience more difficult than it might be already. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Tom
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,412
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,412 |
You might start by Googling Violin Sales. I see Musician's Friend has a starter violin for 99 dollars. If you can find someone that plays you may want to talk to them for some on hands advice. If you have a Music Store locally you may get some information by visiting them.
Ray E. Strode
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,114
Top 40 Poster
|
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,114 |
There are two kinds of music stores. One, the "Guitar Center" type that sells the popular instruments, and the other type of store is geared toward educational music. The educational store sells band and orchestra instruments mostly for school music programs. They also provide sheet music for the schools. Most have in house private lessons or can recommend a private teacher. I would talk to someone there first. Most of these stores rent instruments, so maybe you can rent a nice violin before you make an investment just to be sure that you don't lose interest.
Check out the pawn shops. I've seen them sell for a couple hundred bucks, but you really don't know what you're getting.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831 |
Hi Tom:
Ray and Ben have given you two good approaches to the problem. I don't play but my daughter took Viola lessons. It is difficult to learn to play stringed instruments of this type. Knowing what to select and what price to consider depends a great deal on your real objective. Find a good, highly recommended violin teacher in your area and have this discussion with him/her.
Be prepared for a "long siege" unless you are a natural. My best friend and long-time co-writer took piano lessons and later tried his hand at the violin. He did not stay with the violin long in my humble opinion.
Best of luck to you. Would love to hear your experiences and the route you finally decide to take.
Regards,
Dave
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,412
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,412 |
Well, If you want to listen to some "Violin" performances you can Google Bob Wills or for a Premier Performance of the Brahms Violin Concerto by David Oistrakh just Google it.
I Google'd Bob Wills and listened to the Steel Guitar Rag from 1936 and the story of the Steel Guitar Rag. It's amazing how good those old recordings sound! That was before Tape or CD's.
Ray E. Strode
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313
Top 200 Poster
|
OP
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313 |
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. When I took up guitar as a kid I took private lessons. I had all the time in the world to practice and soaked it up pretty quickly. Since then I have taken up piano, bass and mandolin but without the benifit of an instructor. Although I would not call myself highly skilled with any of my secondary instruments, I have learned enough to at least feel somewhat at ease with them. I am getting the impression the violin might not be something I want to embark on without some formal instruction. I may take Ben's advise on the rental option; at least until I figure out how much of an undertaking I am getting into! Thanks again! You have all givin me much to think about!
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,911 Likes: 1
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,911 Likes: 1 |
Tom,
I know a very talented violin teacher and I can ask her if you want me to. Let me know if you still need information.
Colin
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,114
Top 40 Poster
|
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,114 |
Hi Tom: Ray and Ben have given you two good approaches to the problem. I don't play but my daughter took Viola lessons. Dave A Viola is just a larger violin. They are usually tuned the same, but in some orchestral music they may be tuned differently, depending on the piece. No difference really. One works like the other. Just like a sax. If you can play a tenor, you can play an alto.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313
Top 200 Poster
|
OP
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313 |
Colin, thank you! I actually found someone local who has played for many years and has offered to help me in my instrument selection and also recommended a good instructor. I realize it will require some serious commitment to become even modestly proficient but I'm going to give it a go!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313
Top 200 Poster
|
OP
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313 |
Ben, thanks again for your advice and info. It's appreciated!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313
Top 200 Poster
|
OP
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,313 |
Ray,
Just wanted you to know I did check out musicians friend. I have used this sight previously and they are if nothing else a good starting point to gauging what is out there. Thanks again!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 340
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 340 |
Hi Tom,
Check out Ebay. I purchased a cello from there. I always wanted one and glad I've got it.
Have fun!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13 |
Hey Latteta, long time no see! Welcome back!
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 692 Likes: 1
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 692 Likes: 1 |
I am considering taking up the violin. From all I have read and heard, they are a challenging instrument but I have always wanted to learn. Can anyone give me some advice on what might be a good make or model to start with. I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money but want it to have enough qualit that it does not make the learning experience more difficult than it might be already. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Tom The violin, like the clarinet, is wonderful instrument, if you can get past the first 6 months of squealing, squeeking, and squawking on it before you get a nice sound/tone, etc. that's why I love the piano and guitar, you don't have do go through that stage. I played flute, sax, and clarinet in my formative years in school, and tortured my parents for a few months
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 692 Likes: 1
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 692 Likes: 1 |
One thing that is paramount with playing the violin and the other fretless stringed instruments, you must have good pitch. There are no frets.
If you can sing on pitch, you are half way there, now you just gotta learn the thing.
My brother played rock violin in bands back in the 70s. And of course, it's prominent in bluegrass and country.
I love the instrument, but my fave style is the gypsy jazz, "le hot club" sound, i.e., manouche guitar with violin, it's a classic sound. I once saw Bucky Pizzarelli and Stephane Grapelli (RIP) in concert. My god, it was good. Of course, Django Reinhardt (RIP) is the prominent guitarist, for the manouche guitar is the heart of the sound
Last edited by Pat Hardy; 03/25/19 06:09 PM.
|
|
|
We would like to keep the membership in Just Plain Folks FREE! Your donation helps support the many programs we offer including Road Trips and the Music Awards.
|
|
Forums117
Topics125,717
Posts1,160,950
Members21,470
|
Most Online37,523 Jan 25th, 2020
|
|
"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|