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Am I progressing at a good speed?

From Allan Garay
Posted July 1, 2012 at 04:36 PM

But for the average person, is that a normal speed?
I was a late starter at 12 years old, and I practice often and efficiently.

My goal isn't to become a soloist or professional or anything of the like. I want to get to the most advanced level that *I* can achieve, and play solely for my own pleasure, to play chamber music, community orchestras, etc.

Enjoy the journey.

I guess Ive had this fear of having to be compared to others my age that started much earlier.
I dont really care about that, as long as I know that Im doing things correctly no matter how slowly I progress, but I wont deny the feeling has come up when playinng with someone my age that is much better than I am. It just feels intimidating at times, but I know I shouldnt really care how I compare to others as long as Im doing my best.
I guess that feeling is natural. We are always trying to be better than somone else in fear o f being compared, and we forget that we shouldnt be trying to beat others , but ourselves.

I'm 14 too, like you. Been playing for 7 months. I'm a traditional student who occasionally fiddle with Suzuki.

I can shift through 1-5 position easily, mastered arm and wrist vibrato. I can play some piece from Suzuki 4-6 book and yet can't get the 1st book Gavotte. My tone is exceptable, floppy on new piece I'm horrible at time keeping and practice less than 1 1/2 hrs a day.

after some careful examination, yep. You're definitely up to speed at normal rate unlike my abnormal level. But I bet you're still better than me cuz, I'm horrible at sight-reading. Who care how good you are, if you're playing for your own pleasure, you shouldn't need to worry about other.

Maybe I just have the newbie violinist syndrome. We all want to speed up and be playing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (D Major) ASAP. lol.

I think I have the basics, meaning the very basics, like basic bowing, left hand position, hold, things like that (or so my teacher says) down.

My teacher says so far my intonation is pretty good on the days where my fingers don't decide to throw a fit.

My weakness is definitely my bow arm. I at first had trouble bowing straight but I'm improving it. I found it's easier to 'feel' how bowing straight feels rather than looking in the mirror all the time.

My focus during practice and what my teacher is focusing on lately during lessons is my bow arm, technical exercises and intonation, since they need most improvement from me. And shifting of course.