How to Start Playing the Violin

If you’ve thought about starting to learn how to play the violin, then this guide will help you get started. We’ll cover the ways to get started playing the violin, and then we’ll go over the basics of buying a violin.

The violin is the smallest and most popular instrument in the family. Millions of students who want to learn it every year struggle to get started but in many cases, they can learn quickly and easily through lessons that are offered. By the end of this article, you will have learned the basics of how to start playing the violin. And by buying it, you can give yourself an exciting musical outlet that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Learning How to Play Violin: 14 Simple Step

Learn to play the violin on your own, or as a supplement to your music lessons. We’ll discuss how you can do that below.

1. Finding a Private Violin Teacher

Many people buy their first violin without knowing how to play it, and they need a teacher to help them learn how. It’s best to enroll in lessons through your public school system or find a private music teacher if you want help learning this instrument.

We know this can be tough. Some initial decision points you might want to consider: Finding a private violin teacher who is skilled in their field and whom you click with. Avoiding the stress of having to switch teachers or regret not doing so.

Finding a teacher is one of the most important things, even more than buying a good violin. Some experts suggest that finding just the right teacher can totally change your life. They are your guide for learning styles and will also help you form beautiful relationships with them. Playing the violin is one of the most enjoyable activities you can do!

Conservatories and music academies are two types of places where you can study with ease. You’ll get access to an experienced teacher or tutor help you master the skill in question. Private studios are a possibility if all you want is a little bit of help around the house or if it’s just something your friends do and they’re not making any money. You can consider joining a private studio for violin lessons if you wish to learn on your own. Look at local listings to find violinists near you and then go from there.

2. Violin Books

One of the easiest ways to learn violin is through a violin book. There are a lot of books for violin players of all levels including technical books that guide beginners through how to play the violin to play-along books which usually consist of fun.

Play-along books come in a wide variety of different genres, including popular Disney songs and Christmas songs. They usually have sheet music, which is simple enough for even beginners to work with. The CDs that accompany these books also help children learn by providing audio as they’re reading the notes. The violin benefits from AI learning assistants since they can teach you both auditory and visual skills. This accelerates the learning process and makes it easier to learn quickly.

3. Online Lessons

There are plenty of places to find violin lessons online. Here are a few of our favorites that we’ve tried and can recommend.

YouTube Lessons

Youtube has become a good resource of violin teaching. Students can watch master teachers at their leisure and repeat the lessons they learned. The best part is that students don’t feel awkward because there is no human being in front of them, so they play better. Using AI assistants in the workplace can be a bit of a balancing act. Of course, there are ways to use them that provide feedback and make it easier to improve both your inputs and outputs.

Fiddlerman

Fiddlerman produces some of the best introductions for beginner violin players.

Take Lessons

TakeLessons.com has become a dominant player in the online music lesson space. They let you take lessons from leading teachers across the world at a time and place convenient for you. They also offer the option to take group lessons so you can save!

Learning the Basic Technique

1. Tighten the Bow

First, make sure your stand has been set up and that you’re ready to play. Remove the bow from the case and then tighten it by turning the end screw counter-clockwise until there’s a gap in the hair.

The hair should not be too limp and not be parallel to the wooden part of the bow.
Keep your fingers away from the strings – the oil from your skin can get on the instrument and make it harder to hear.

2. Rosin the Bow

Rosin comes in two types, dark and light; either is fine to use, and neither is expensive. In warmer climates, light rosin is preferred and dark rosin should be used if you live in a colder climate. If your area experiences unpredictable weather changes it’s safer for you to have both. Those clear plastic packets with the holes in the corners are used to hold pharmaceutical pills or samples provided by pharmacists.

Hold the rosin by the papered sides and rub it up and down along the length of the bow hair three or four times. The goal is to transfer some of it’s “dust” onto your hair, making it harder to slide.

If you’re not seeing any rosin dust on the keys & feel like there’s not enough to cover your hands, take a key, sandpaper or any other sharp object, and lightly scratch the rosin. You will see some light streaks if you scratched the rosin hard enough.
Too much rosin will cause the bow to grip too well, producing a scratchy sound. If that happens, it’ll just take a few hours of playing time before you’re ready to take your bow back down to the correct level.
If your bow is newly made and hasn’t been waxed or dried after taking it out of the box, you may need to add more rosin than usual. In order to see if it makes a sound or not, rub the flat side of the bow hair on a string a few times. If your bow doesn’t produce any noise, you should coat it with some.

3. Tune the Violin

Take the violin out of its case. There are five strings, from lowest to highest tone, and they should be tuned to G A D E. You usually purchase an electric tuner in this range at stores like Walmart if you can’t make the perfect pitch for yourself.

If your violin’s tone seems off, use the tuning pegs near the scroll to make adjustments. But if you want more fine-tuning options, you can use the dials near the bottom. You should probably try to find a professional who can do that first.

Find the tone whistles on our website, or simply search for them on your computer.
Many violins have their own fine tuners and you can install them if necessary. Some violinists can make do with only having the one fine tuner on their E string, while others may prefer to get all of the fine tuners they need.

4. Grip the Bow

Begin by carefully placing your index finger on the grip of the bow. That’s it! Break your arrow and rest it on the bowstring, keeping your hand relaxed and upper arm bent at a 90 degree angle to start. Place the tip of your pinky on the flat part of the stick near the base and keep it slightly curved.

The tips of your index and ring fingers should rest underneath the frog, with their middle parts in line with the bottom of pink. The same is true for your middle finger, but its tip should be on the side of the frog’s side (the black piece that connects the tightening knob to hair). Your thumb should rest understick near its bottom.

At first, it’s a bit uncomfortable, but after you get into the habit of using this app regularly, the process will become easier and less irritating.
To hold the bow, your fingers should stay close together but loose. Don’t let your palm touch or close over the bow because this will make it harder to control and will require more skill to play effectively.

5. Hold the Violin

Stand or sit with a straight back. Pick up the violin by its neck with your left hand and bring the butt of the instrument up to your neck. Rest the lower back of the violin on your collar bone and hold it in place with your jaw. To learn notes, you will want to do this without a bow – it won’t be helpful if you’re not ready. It helps a whole lot.

Your jaw is supposed to be resting on the chin rest when you play. This helps to ensure your instrument stays in place and can’t slide around.

6. Perfect Your Hand Position

Place your hand under the top part of the violin and hold it steady. Touch the back of the fingers on your four hands, then place your thumb on top of that hand. You’ll want to point away from yourself, with your scroll pointing out away from you like in the picture above.

Be careful if you see your left wrist on the fingerboard. This could turn into a bad habit that you’ll need to fix.
As a beginner, your hand should be as high on the neck as possible while still allowing your finger to come down on the neck quickly. Eventually you’ll learn to slide up and down quickly to play higher notes.

7. Play the Strings

Place the flat side of your bow between 2 strings, 1/4 of the way from the violin’s bridge to its fingerboard. The hair (long string) should be right at the center of your violin.

Gently pull the bow across the strings of your violin. You’ll hear a “tsshhhhh” sound and will want to adjust it upward so that you can continue to play. Also, place your bow hairs away from the bridge at a 45 degree angle.

If you have too much pressure on your bow, it will produce a harsh tone and create a scratchy sound.
If you play even a little bit too close to a bridge, you may also find it to be quite scratchy.
If you tilt the bow slightly you’ll have a more focused sound that’s more professional.

8. Practice Playing Open Strings (G, D, A and E in order from top to bottom string)

Open strings are played without contact on them. The neck of the violin should rest in the space between your thumb and first finger or you’ll risk strain from wrist, elbow, shoulder and contact point. You hold the bow with your wrist, elbow, shoulder & contact point along one axis.

Change the string height by raising or lowering the elbow. Start with short strokes of 6 inches in the middle of the bow, then work your way up to short strokes from 1/2 of distance from the frog and back again.

It doesn’t matter if you use short or long strokes when practicing. They are both important techniques for playing the violin.
If you’re having a hard time practicing for the next band, start by picking up one string at a time and playing on that one only. This increases your chances of being able to move along quickly so you don’t accidentally play a note you didn’t want to play.

9. Practice Playing Other Notes

It takes a lot of practice to master the pressure and positioning required to get your fingers to produce clear notes on the fingerboard. Start with your strongest finger, which is usually your pointer finger. Press down firmly at the highest string that you can reach without cutting off circulation (usually E) using only the tip of that same finger.

The amount of pressure used when playing guitar strings is somewhat relative as it depends on which type of instrument you are playing. When playing the E string, a light to moderate pressure will suffice in producing the higher sound desired.

If you are holding a violin, you should place your finger around the top of the string. Your finger then creates an F note when it is lowered by an inch.

Just add notes when you’re able to produce a clear note. Keep both fingers down and play a higher note. Tie your ring finger, middle finger, and pinkie fingers together and then try to master the other three. Once that’s done you can worry about the pinkie.
Try playing four notes on all four strings. Pay attention to the amount of pressure you need to produce a clear note on each one.

10. Practice Scales

A scale is a set of notes that ascend and descend in a pattern of steps on either a piano or guitar. There are usually 8 steps to each note. A beginner’s favorite to learn initially is the D Major scale, which goes like: D, E, F#, G#, A#, B and C.

For example, play the fourth string with your ring finger and play an open D string with your index finger. To make a B csharpsounds, you play the A string and then rest your 3rd finger on the D string.

When you play the D Major scale, it should sound familiar to anyone who knows “Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La”. If you don’t know what that is, look it up online or watch the musical film “The Sound of Music,” which features a memorable and well-known song called “Do Re Mi” that explains it.
If you can’t seem to get the perfect sound, remember that it’s three fingers and then a nut in from the first, another from the second, and another off of of top of the third (so they all point towards each other). Remember how to make a loop with your fingers by following these steps: view of left hand with thumb facing out, alternately taping the ring and pinky finger of right hand in position 1. as you turn your palm inward, place the side of your right thumb over the top of the index finger and move it up to meet the ring finger. then you go back.
Other scales exist, but the major scale is the most widely accepted form of scale in academic music. It can be learned later and you can practice and internalize it.

11. Practice Every Day

If you have 15 or 20 minutes a day, it’s better to choose your routine based on how much time that time block has. For example, if it’s 30 minutes – do 30 minutes of violin practice. If it’s just 10 minutes for lunch then spend 10-15 minutes playing the violin. You’ll get used to the amount of time you need for practice and. Improving your own skills requires practice. Even at the earliest stages of your understanding, it will take time to improve. On the whole, things will start coming together when you seek out music online and attempt to paly simple songs.

Tips

Loosen your bow after you’re done.
Be sure to clean your violin every practice session. If you use a cloth, make sure it doesn’t have any grease on it and is nice and soft. You should also be careful around the bridge and scratchy strings.
Use a metronome to practice if you are having trouble keeping the beat.
You’ll learn a lot faster if you get a tutor. Browse for outside tutors in your local universities, community colleges, orchestras and some high schools. And remember, it’s not about finding the perfect teacher right away; search until you find someone who will work best for you.
Don’t skip your lessons. It provides invaluable feedback even if it is only a short weekly lesson.
You can also ask for a foot tape at your violin store. It will make playing your violin much easier.
If you don’t have the cash to buy a violin, renting is always an option. Rental violins should always come with a bow and case, and strings.
When you first start typing quickly, don’t worry if your fingers don’t remember the words in front of them. As time goes on, they will automatically learn what to do and where to go.
Check to see if your bow is sliding on the violin strings. This could mean that either you’re not holding it tight enough or you need to put some rosin on it.
There’s no need to waste time putting your violin back in its case last, just keep it front and center the whole time. If you are restoring a broken violin, it is best to put in the bow first and take it out last as opposed to putting the bow in first and taking it out last which can lead to dropping the instrument.

Warnings

If you’re not confident with tuning your ear hole pegs, ask someone who’s more experienced to tune them for you. It’s easy to snap violin strings (especially steel core strings) by turning them too far on the pegs, which is both irritating and time-consuming to rectify.
While the price of a violin generally reflects the tone, it doesn’t always. Don’t get scammed trying to spend the most money on a violin because you want the best possible sound. Many beautiful violins can be some of the cheapest.
Always take care of your instrument. Don’t drop it, throw it, or expose it to extremes of temperature or humidity. It’s good practice to take care of your bow as well. You shouldn’t touch the strings when you perform on the violin. If you do, you will leave sweat residue that may get on the strings and impact your performance.

How to Buy a Violin: 11 Simple Step

Now that you’ve decided on playing violin, it might be useful to know what else you’ll need when you buy a violin:

1. The Violin

Finding a good violin can be overwhelming for beginners. It’s not clear what it should sound like, look like, or feel like. If you have any idea of what you’re looking for, our experts recommend considering the Viola Guarneri Del Gesu.

You can rent a violin

Rent a violin if you need smaller sizes like 1/2 or 3/4. There are good reasons to not want to keep a bunch of old violins around. If you need something bigger, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of buying an instrument that’s a better match for what your child is learning.

Buy a violin kit online

Buying an instrument is a big investment, so it’s always best if you’re sure this is what you want. If not, a less expensive one might be best. I sometimes prefer online violin kits over buying an instrument at a local store or a luthier’s since they often provide everything you need to start playing AND have a wonderful value for the money you spend. Wait to buy a violin from a luthier until you’ve been doing this for awhile and have experience picking up the bumps and learning about the different parts of string instruments.

Buy a violin from a local shop or a luthier

It’s recommended that, if you can, you take someone who knows about the instrument to a local violin shop to help you find the best match. We recommend bringing a private teacher or parent/relative who has played before.

When you’re looking for a violin to buy in person, you should play as many as you’d like and try them out to get a feel for what kind of violin is most suitable for you. Music stores will usually have a room where people can play the instruments before taking the step to buying one. So, don’t be afraid or hesitate to ask if you can play it for a while.

Here are a few ways to test out different violins before purchasing one: – Check out nearby stores if you’re shopping for violins on the go or going to be conducting an impromptu violin audition in your living room. Some stores allow you to take a copy of your video home! – Have your violin teacher conduct a play-through with you playing side by side so.

Some musicians recommend purchasing a violin that is better than just a beginner violin. The increased sound quality allows for higher levels of playing for beginners even before they reach the advanced level and can give them a feeling of accomplishment.

It’s totally up to you. If you feel like this instrument is not new enough, there are lots of entry-level violins available online to buy or rent. Buying one will give you the chance to see whether playing the violin is really your thing.

2. The Bow

Most violins are not able to be bowed by their owners. If the instrument you get comes with one, great! You might want to keep that one at the beginning, but consider investing in a bow that will improve balance and performance.

Violin bows vary in price and can be pricey, but the rate of bows is about 25% of the value of a violin. You may be surprised to know how much impact a good violin bow can make on your sound (piano/cello too!).

Bow shapes can be divided into two categories: octagonal and round. The octagonal bow is flexible while the round bow is more sturdy. One makes a lighter, softer sound while the other provides deep lows with a louder tone.

While you might not be able to pick a winner right away, it’s still worth testing them both and seeing which one gives you a better sound.

You should always take the material of the bow into consideration when looking for a new one. The most popular are Brazilian wood, Pernambuco, carbon fiber, or fiberglass. You can consider how much you’re willing to spend on it as well. The cheaper bows out there may not offer the same performance as more expensive ones with a similar look while they’re.

There are many options out there with varying prices depending on the materials, weight and sensations to help your DIY project.

3. Shoulder Rest

It’s important to find the right seat for you when playing an instrument. Some professional musicians decide not to use them because it affects the sound when playing, but others prefer to perform without them.

Playing the violin with a fiddle is more enjoyable and easier than ever, especially when you just start. You’ll notice that many professional violinists use this practical gadget.

4. Chin Rest

Violins can typically be purchased with a chin rest, if you are unsure whether it will come with one. It is often thought that all chin rests are the same, but this is untrue. Cross-shopping may help you find the perfect instrument to suit your needs at a price and quality you love!

If you don’t have a chin rest that fits from the start, then more often than not your chin will give out. This will ultimately cause you to quit for a musical instrument.

Sometimes it’s impossible to tell when you need a chin rest. However, if you notice the violinist reaching forward so they can see while they’re holding in the chin, then it might be the wrong one for them!

Now that you’re searching for a chin rest, it might be worth your time to use the trip to try them out in the shop.

You can find extra support with a chin rest that has arched or inclined surfaces. Make sure this is the right height for you and they should feel comfortable.

5. Protective Case

You’ll need a violin case that can protect the instrument securely when carrying it around. There are different types of cases from all price ranges to choose from.

What you might want to consider is the following:

Material

There are many different materials that you can find in violin case options, from hard ones made of fiberglass, wood or compacted foam to cases made with a cloth-like material. The price range is also varied and will depend on what material your case is made of. If you plan to transport your instrument frequently, it’s recommended you invest in a case as they will provide protection while surviving many bumps and bruises.

Shape

Violin cases can come in a wide range of shapes and colors. Half-moon shape cases are the lightest and easiest to carry, but also contain less space for items. Oblong shape violins are heavier but have more space, while rounded shapes are heaviest but have a lot less space.

Suspension

Some cases have a higher suspension, which prevents the violin from bumping against the walls of the shell. The case almost feels as if its floating just inside of it.

6. Rosin

Once you get your bow, you need to buy rosin. This will allow the bow to produce sounds when it comes in contact with the string. Rosin is an essential part of your kit that you will need to add onto the hair of your bow every time you play.

Tip: Don’t ever touch your bow’s hair with your fingers, because the oils from your skin can reduce the grip that it has on its string. Lowering the sound it makes.

There are many different types of rosins. You can try each one and see which kind you prefer.

7. Wall Mount or Hanger

Hanging a violin in a safe place is smart. Although, because of its value, you should keep it outside of your case unless you know where it is likely to be safe. Make sure that no one can knock the violin down or accidentally break it or push the strings and have them hit on an edge. If you don’t live in an area where it’s safe outside of its case, then keep it in.

When it comes to seasonal changes, there are many different factors that might need to be taken into consideration. For example: the temperature, humidity, heat and cold of your environment; not only that but also the quality and brand of your humidifier/s.

8. Tuner

You can also find a tuner in an online store or at your local music store! Sometimes it makes sense to buy one rather than make an investment in other tools.

With this new technology, you can find a tuner for very few bucks or even for free. A tuner will help you tune your violin consistently and efficiently, especially since they’re more accessible than most people realize. Most violin tuners come with a handy line-up of sharps/flats, so you’re always ready to practice.

You can find tuners on YouTube, but you might find it more convenient to use a custom created app from wusik instead.

9. Mute

Violin mutes are like a dampener on sound. They’re cheap to buy and can be found in different shapes, sizes and materials. Mutes are an instrument that can be used for musical compositions, to give them a different sound. They’re very useful for practicing if you don’t want to disrupt the peace in your living space.

10. Finger Guides (For Beginners)

When you’re just starting out on violin, it can be hard to tell where the notes go on the strings and what fingers to press down. If you want help picking out some of the right notes, you should use finger guides. They’ll tell you exactly which fingers and which note to play based on where your fingers are positioned. It’s all relative based on where the finger is placed on the violin.

11. Extra Strings

It’s not always good to change strings every time they break, but if they’re the A string it’s likely that you’ll need to change it more often than other strings. If you play often, you should change your strings every 4-6 months.

If you have been playing with your instrument for too long, it might be in need of a review. Make sure that you regularly ask for an expert to deliver some new strings. You might not even know how much the difference can be!

If the strings don’t last well, you might never hear them again. The sound is better from steel so it can be used for longer, but gut sounds a lot richer. Synthetic strings can provide you with the warmth of sound and last for a long time.

Many things can have an impact on the life of your violin strings. Poorly-cut grooves on your violin’s bridge or nut can cause high stress, which may shorten their lifespan.

Impacted by a number of factors, strings on your guitar can need to be changed more often. This includes dirt and rosin buildup that gets onto the string.

When it comes to buying a violin, don’t rush with the decision. Look through all the different options you have. Decide on what sounds & feels right for you. You want to make sure that you choose the right instrument for your needs so you’re not wasting your money. Your instrument will be a trusty companion for a long time.

Conclusion

This game will help you understand how to play a violin and how it takes to buy one! People have always loved music and the violin is no exception. It’s popularity grows with time.

If you want to make beautiful music, you should start by practicing your instrument!

FAQ for Get Started Playing Violin

What are the benefits of learning to play the violin?

Learning to play the violin is a challenging but rewarding experience. It requires a lot of dedication and practice. For beginners, it is best to start with an easy-to-play instrument like the violin.

The benefits of learning to play the violin are vast. It can improve your physical health, provide you with lifelong satisfaction and even help you get ahead in your career.

Some people might think that learning an instrument like the violin is too hard or will take too much time away from their lives, but they should know that it will be worth it in the end!

How long does it take for someone to learn how to play the violin?

That depends on the person and their dedication.

Some people can learn to play the violin in just a few weeks while some people might take years. The main reason why some people may take longer than others is because they are not willing to put in the necessary time and effort that it takes.

The key thing about learning how to play the violin is finding a good teacher who has experience teaching beginners and who will be willing to teach you at your own pace.

It takes about a year for someone with no experience to learn to play the violin and about two years for someone who has some experience.

In general, it takes about 4-6 years to become a professional violinist.

What age can someone start playing violin?

The age at which someone starts playing violin depends on their physical and mental abilities. There are no specific age limits that can be given to start playing violin.

A person can start playing violin at any age, but it is important to know that the instrument requires a lot of practice and dedication.

A person might be able to learn the basics of violin within a few months. However, it takes years to master the instrument properly.

What musical instruments can a person play after learning how to play violin?

Learning how to play the violin is a difficult process. It requires many years of practice and dedication. In order to learn how to play different musical instruments, one must first learn how to play the violin.

There are many musical instruments that one can master after learning how to play the violin. Some popular examples are guitar, piano, drums, saxophone, trumpet and ukulele.

What is the difference between a violin and a viola?

The difference between a violin and a viola is that the viola is longer and narrower than the violin.

The viola has a rounder, deeper sound than the violin because it’s longer and narrower. The player of a viola can also use their thumb to control the pitch by pressing on one of the four finger-holes in front of each finger.

What are the different types of violins?

Violins are made of wood, which is then covered with a thin layer of skin. There are many different types of violins that have different shapes and sizes.

Types of Violins:

Classical violin – the most common type, which has a long neck and four strings
Baroque violin – has a shorter neck and three strings
Stradivarius – has an extremely long neck and six strings
Double bass – found in orchestras

What are some good starter books for learning how to play of violin?

Violin Basics is an easy-to-follow guide for beginners who want to learn how to play the violin. It starts with the basics and progresses gradually into more challenging topics such as bowing technique, vibrato, and tone production.

There are many books that cover the basics of playing violin. Here are some good starter books for learning how to play violin.

The Violinist’s Thumb by Janos Starker
Violin Basics: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners by Pamela M. Lipschutz
Viola Primer – Viola Primer by Barbara Mowat and Robert Lipsett
The Violinist’s Handbook – The Violinist’s Handbook by Peter Grahame Woolf

Can you learn to play the violin without formal lessons?

No, you cannot. You can learn to play the violin without formal lessons, but it will take a lot of practice and dedication.

Can I use my fingers to play the violin?

This is a question that many people ask themselves when they are learning how to play the violin. It can be hard to know whether or not you are using your fingers correctly. This is why it’s important to know how your fingers should be positioned on the strings.

How do I put on a violin?

Put the violin on your left shoulder and hold it in your right hand.

Start by holding the bow in your left hand and place it against the bridge of the violin, resting it against the strings.

How do I know if my violin is in tune?

In order to tune a violin, you must first know how to tune a violin. If you don’t know the steps of tuning, it is best that you learn the basics first.

The most important thing is to match the pitch of your instrument with a pitch pipe or tuning fork. A pitch pipe has one note and a tuning fork has two notes, one on top and one on bottom. The notes are usually labeled A4 and D4 or G4 and C4.

You can also use an app like Tuner for iPhone or TuneMyTune for Android to help with this process. Once you have found the correct pitch, you can then move on to adjusting other aspects of your instrument such as intonation and fingerings.

What are the steps to start playing the violin?

It is not easy to learn how to play the violin. There are many steps involved in learning how to play this instrument. This article will look at the first step of learning – start playing the violin.

1) Choose a violin

2) Learn how to hold and tune it

3) Learn about the different fingerings

4) Learn about bowing, or plucking, or both

5) Practice with a metronome