How to Get Started with the Violin

Playing the violin is a great way to start a musical career as well as having an awesome (and not boring in thirty years) hobby. However, learning to play it well takes time and effort, two things people generally don't put in at the start of anything new. These are some tips for the beginners to reduce both time and effort in practicing while still getting much accomplished.

Starting out, it would be very helpful to understand the delicate instrument; for example, know the names of all the parts or the history. This may not seem important because it doesn't directly help the violinist, it has a tremendous psychological impact. Knowing the history will give a deeper sense of appreciation and create the drive needed to continue (if this does not already exist!).

After this, the actual playing begins. Understandably, the sound produced by a beginner is not the most pleasant sound as it is often scratchy and out of tune. Both of these are actually lower priorities when people are just starting out! The single most important thing in playing the violin is (secret ahead!): being comfortable. This is extremely important; being comfortable is the number one priority at all times no matter what level of playing and allows the body to relax, a must if playing for a long time. Of course, this does not mean what is comfortable now will not change as skill increases so adaptation must happen too! Please note that bad habits still must be eliminated as early as possible even if they are "comfortable" because they possess a health risk. For example, the left wrist must not be used to support the violin as that causes strain on the arm.

The violin is held up by just the head and shoulder, preferably with no force from the head pushing down as (once again) it should be comfortable. The left hand should not hold up the violin, but it should support it so that it move excessively. To check if this is working, hold the violin normally and remove the left hand. If the violin goes up and/or down a little but does not fall, then the left hand is giving support and not holding it up. If the violin slips, then make sure the should rest is put on correctly, or if there is no shoulder rest, make sure this is some kind of friction between the violin and shoulder; a sponge works well for this.

Holding the bow must also be comfortable! To check the bow hold, completely relax the right arm, hand and fingers. Look at the way the fingers are placed; this should be the same as where the fingers are when holding the bow with some minor changes. These changes are different for everyone so find a way to hold the bow that most closely resembles the way a relaxed right hand looks. The middle and ring finger should be exactly the same because they don't (or shouldn't) help hold the bow. The placement of the bow on the violin depends on what is being played; generally, the bow will be in the middle but may change depending on the dynamics. Dynamics is not a priority for beginners; however, consistency with bow placement is. While playing, try to have the bow at the same place on the string and that the bow is moving in a linear fashion. One exercise that will help with moving the right hand with bow changes (up and down) is to have have the right fingers go forward as far as possible with the wrists, then pulling them back curved as far as possible still with the wrist. These actions should mirror what the hand does while the bow is going up or down. This is a slightly more advanced technique and may seem uncomfortable in the first couple days but in a few weeks, it will come so easily that anything else seems impossible, if done right of course. Teacher recommended for this technique!

That covers some tips (more will continue as my own progress develops) that beginners should find helpful. I certainly would have benefited from if I had been told of these. The most important thing, once again, is to be comfortable!