Interested in takening on a string instrument.

dougie

I was wondering if people would be as to give me some advice. I'm 18 and just finished first year in college. For a while now I have been wanting to learn a musical instruments but with school, exams and other activities, and being unconfident and shy I never got around to it. Now I have loads of free time and want to take on something challenging.

Can anyone give me some info on how I could start learning the viola/ violin? Ie. where's the best places to get lessons, buy or rent instruments...etc. Experience of others starting off, because there’s a first time for everything.

I've never played an instrument outside the record before and didn't do music in school, and no-one of my mates play, some I’m quite ignorant on this music front. Lol

Thanks in advance,
Dougie.

musician.ie

I could be off the mark here, but this is my take:
You have no musical background and want to take up the violin/viola. This will mean you will probably need to go to a teacher for formal lessons, will received very structured training, and won't pick up improvisational/playing by ear/jamming skills for a long time. I've never seen a "100 pop hits for viola" type songbook, for example.

Would you consider a more contemporary instrument, as an introduction to music theory? Guitar or keyboards will be easier to learn, just because there are
so many techers
so many contemporary songs you can play along with
so many tutorial books/CDs/videos you can buy
so many people you can jam with

Once you have an idea of your committment levels, skill and ear, you could make the switch to violin/viola and still be able to apply your own skills. IMHO practicing scales and Doe-a-deer type tunes that tend to show up in early music training might remove your enthusiasm for what can be an excellent hobby. I am not in any way trying to diss formal learning, but it is a tough discipline.

Earthhorse

Well, whatever about the viola or violin being more difficult to learn there's little point in taking up an instrument you're not interested in.

Not sure what shops in town sell violins and the like. You should be able to find one via Google or the Yellow Pages.

An interesting compromise might be the mandolin, which is played like a guitar/banjo etc. but tuned like a violin if I'm not mistaken.

ferdi

too many people play strings, take up a horn instead, ie: trumpet, trombone, sax, cornet - oncei have the cash together i'm getting me a trombone - here is my future baby, oh yeah:D

dougie

I could take up the guitar or keyboard and it's true there are a lot of great mainstream songs but I like the sound of the violin and it's pieces and I'm willing to work at it, even if it takes a few years, that's the fun, knowing you can accomplish something difficult with practise

Thanks for all the replies!

Doctor J

If it's violin you like there's little point in taking up anything else. Every instrument is difficult to play so you might as well learn one you're into.

There's a shop on Stephen Street (I think, between Break For The Border, The Hairy Lemon & The Capitol Bar) in Dublin which does traditional musical instruments, including violins. Perhaps they'd be worth a shot?

First stop should be Waltons School Of Music, who should be able to tell you eveything you need to know.

dougie

Cheers! I'm off in the capital.

One final thing from music buffs to the ignorant lol

What's the difference (technical/ lay-man) between a viola and a violin. Then there is the fiddle, that similar or same to a violin, and if so why the different name?

Also what would be the price range? I want to get something that balances good quality with value for money. Why do prices range from like E50 to E10,000?

Thanks in advance, sorry for all the (stupid?) questions.

Dougie

Doctor J

A viola, IIRC, is larger than a violin, smaller than a cello and yes, a fiddle and violin are the same. It depends what social class really. You get what you pay for (within reason).

oneofakind32

if you paly trad it would be referred to as a fiddle but when playing classical it would be referred to as a Violin