Can I become a professial violinist if I started late?

June 10, 2012 at 7:52 PM

I started.playing the playing the violin since I was 12 and in the beinning of 7th grade and in the first I barely did anything since I was afraid of getting a bad approval so I didn't use the bow. In the second semester I finally decided to use the bow and I enjoyed it amd I was the only new person. In the end of semester I asked orcherstar teacher in a rating 1-10 in what level I'm in and she said 6. Then she said 'you improved alot in this semester I can tell by hearing you. You're nearly as good as the best students in your grade." So I got really happy and decided for this summer to pratice alot to be the best. Right now I'm learning vibrato and trying to learn video game music like legend of zelda(LoZ) or anime music. So far I learn one learn one LoZ and learning three other ones and working on super mario theme song and learn a bit.
I don't play the piano but actually a learn a LoZ song pn it with no knowlege on the piano. I'm in accerlated math and on the highest team in the school . I turned 13 on April and I want to know If I can be a professial violinist .By professial I mean able to go in local orchrestras and be able to perform or by possible in top orchestra group or a local chorus . I also want to know if I can make a living out of it . I want honest opinions. So that's all I want to and can you give suggestions of mudic sheet I can learn. I don't care what type it is as long as I learn something new.Oh I can translate puano and guitar music to violin music thank you and sorry for the long post

From Tom Holzman
Posted on June 12, 2012 at 1:15 AM

It is difficult to respond to your question since you do not define what you mean by a professional. Can you become a top tier international soloist or play for a top tier orchestra? Very, very unlikely. Can you make a living with your violin? Possibly. The most likely way for you to make a living would be teaching. If you have particular talents outside classical music such as jazz, that may help you get gigs. However, you will need to work hard to get your skills up to a level at which you can be taken seriously as a teacher. Good luck!

From Joyce Lin
Posted on June 12, 2012 at 7:54 AM

It doesn't sound like you are taking private lessons. I'm not aware of anyone who becomes professional orchestra violinists with instructions from school programs only. If you want to become a good violinist, ask your orchestra teacher if she can recommend a violin teacher for you.

From Rafael Garduno
Posted on June 12, 2012 at 4:58 PM

Okay thanks I'll go find a private teacher but can you like tell what to expect and what a teachr should have to become a good violinist .Oh my family are low on money so I'll ask or try the skype teaching but I prefer face to face. Right now I'm planning to go to a chorus of a church so I need lots of practice. Oh does this make me closer to my dream of being in a local orchestra or if possible a top orcherstra

From Joyce Lin
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:37 AM

Rafael, if you are thinking about playing violin for a living, it's extremely hard. The jobs are few, the competition is fierce, and the pay is not so great for most jobs. If you do a search at the box on the right, you will find many related discussions. Here are a couple others who are in similar situation and around your age (The 2nd thread turned into political debate, but just reading the first few posts will give you a pretty good idea):
http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=22139
http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=21629

BTW, you should ask questions at the discussion forum. You won't get many responses here.

From Rafael Garduno
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:54 AM

thanks for telling me. new to this site...

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