The violin is a member of the subfamily of bowed strings, which belongs to the larger family of stringed musical instruments. The earliest extant records that depict the use of the violin dates back to the year 1556; however it possible that older predecessors of the violin existed before 1556.
The only difference here is that you won’t be plucking or strumming your instrument. You will be using the bow to generate all the sounds you will need to complete a piece.
If you look closely at the strings of a violin, you will notice that, although each string has the same length as the next one, the strings have varying thicknesses. The varying thickness of the strings allows a eastman violin to manipulate sound, and to coax wonderful music from this instrument.
The upward and downward movements correspond to whole notes, half notes, and so on. Every little movement and gesture made creates an impact on the sound produced by a violin.
When you are playing the violin for the first time, it is a good idea to practice with musical pieces that have full illustrations, so you will be able to place your hands properly on the strings as you play.
Save the more complex musical sheets for when you are more confident and comfortable in handling your musical instrument. The first practice sessions will be difficult, but over time, you will develop the confidence to play as many musical pieces as you like.
Many people ask me about reading music as soon as their second or third lesson. Well, it is not impossible to learn to read music in the first few lessons, and many schools actually start teaching music reading on the first or second lesson, but based on my own studies of the violin, it is best to familiarize yourself first with the handling of the instrument, before trying to read music. If you try to read and play the notes on a complex musical sheet while trying to move your fingers to their right places, you might not enjoy the whole process at all.
This goes to show that it is possible to master the violin at any age. So, whether you are fifteen, twenty-four, or forty-two, it doesn’t matter, because as long as you want to learn the violin, and you have a passion for creating your own music, you will succeed.
Many people wonder: why are some brands of violin so expensive? Well, genuine, hand-made violins require the steady of hands of master craftsmen who spend many months perfecting a piece.
That’s why professional musicians really spend a lot of money on their own violins, because they need instruments that can withstand literally hundreds of hours of use each year.
When you are buying a violin for the first time, it is always important to understand your reasons for buying, your musical goals, and the budget that you can use for the instrument.
If you want to play the violin simply because you are curious as to how the instrument actually sounds, it is a good idea to invest in a violin that is within the $50 to $75 range. That way, you won’t regret buying the instrument later on, even if you realize that it’s not the best instrument for you.
If you already have an interest and passion for music, or you already know how to play several instruments, you may want to invest in something a bit pricier that will most likely withstand prolonged use. Violins that are priced at about $200 to $300 would be good choices in this case.
For musical connoisseurs with large budgets, know that there are some classical violins that can cost up to $5,000. These pieces, of course, are for advanced amateurs and professional musicians who want extremely durable instruments for regular use.
If you already feel excited about the idea of playing the violin, you might be wondering: how do I actually learn how to play the instrument? You have five main choices:
– Enroll in a music school, majoring in bowed strings or the violin
– Attend local music classes that discuss a variety of musical instruments, including the violin
Get a good grip on your violin training