How To Play the Violin

If you have always wanted to learn how to play the violin but have been too afraid, now may be the time for you to try. The violin has often been said to be one of the most difficult and expensive instruments to learn but with advances in technology, videos and the internet it is easier than you may think

Don’t get me wrong, it is a challenging instrument to master and you are not going to be Yo Yo Ma the first time you pick one up. But now you can learn and teach yourself from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

The first step to success is ensuring you have the right equipment. If buying a violin seems too expensive in the beginning there is always the option of renting one. You can rent a violin, bow, and case from most local musical instrument stores. Consult with the staff there to make sure you get the right violin for you.

If you are an adult, you will want to ensure that you use a full size violin and bow (4/4). You will need rosin for your bow and it is a good idea to get a shoulder rest so that you do not have to strain your shoulder in order to hold the violin properly. Make sure that you don’t touch the hairs of the bow with your fingers. The oils on your hands will make it difficult for the rosin to stick to the bow. Also make sure that you never hit anything with the bow. The tip is under a lot of pressure and can break easily. Even the impact of hitting a cushion can cause it to snap. It is important to treat your violin with the utmost care. Swinging it by holding the neck can easily cause you to break it, so be very careful when handling your instrument.

One of the first and most important things when learning how to play the violin is to know how to hold your violin properly. You should hold your violin with your left hand and your jaw, directly under your left earlobe is suppose to be rested on the chin rest. Many make the mistake of using their chin rather than jaw. Sit up straight and have the end of the violin (called the scroll) should be pointed straight out when held properly. Do not have it pointed at the ceiling or ground. Use your left hand to securely hold the base of the violin’s neck with your fingers curled and relaxed around the neck and the top of your thumb visible.

The next important thing to learn is where to start with your bow. Hold the bow about mid way between the bridge and the fingerboard of the violin. When you slide the bow across the violin strings with the bow tilted slightly towards you, it will produce a loud sound. Draw the bow across the strings as straight as you can. More pressure will create a louder sound but apply to much and it will cause the sound to be scratchy. Make sure that your wrist is nice and relaxed, this will produce the best results.

Begin by practicing open chords. This means not pressing any of the strings down with your left hand fingers. This will allow you to get comfortable with holding the violin and the bow properly and allow you to practice the appropriate amount of pressure to use to produce the right sound.

Once you are comfortable with holding the bow and the violin while doing open chord then you should find an online video or pictures of how to play the scales and you can begin practicing them. A scale is when you begin playing a lower string note and work your way up. You place a finger down one at a time while bowing the strings. Be relaxed playing each note smoothly without making any jerky or sudden stops.

Once comfortable with your scales find some easy sheet music that will let you put your newfound knowledge to work making music. Choose easy songs to begin with and ensure you practice every day. Even if it is only for ten minutes. Practice is the key.

Anyone can learn how to play the violin; it just takes dedication, patience, and practice. There are many resources to help you on the internet and with a little work and time, you will be playing beautiful music.

And the single best resource for learning on the internet is Eric Lewis' Violin Masters Pro course. Eric is the violinist for the Manhatten String Quartet and he lays out everything with detailed instructional videos. Other than your instrument, it will be the best investment you can make. You can begin learning immediately and have a full 56 days to try it out. If you don't think the violin is the instrument for you, you can easily get your money back. You have nothing to lose and a lifetime of beautiful music to gain.