Is violin for me? How to tell if you really love it? I feel very confused.

Written by Alyssa Brown
Published: November 7, 2013 at 4:36 AM [UTC]

I've been playing the violin since 4th grade. I absolutely loved learning how to play it. But I lost my interest in playing but I still played because it was required at school. But I love listening to the orchestra and people like Lindsey Stirling, I think it's such a diverse and beautiful instrument. But sometimes I feel a connection and love it, but sometimes I end up hating it and feel happy to quit. But I feel like I can't quit for some reason... I'm not sure why. I love music so much though and spend so much time listening to it. I like Indie and Classical. My friend is really good at the violin and plays in an Indie folk band and it looks like so much fun. I have a connection with music, I'm just not sure why it's rocky with the violin. I'm not sure id I'd like orchestra or not either, I'm just confused as to what to do about it. Should I give it up? Try something new? Try to learn a new instrument? I'm not sure, thank you for reading!

From Anne-Marie Proulx
Posted on November 7, 2013 at 7:02 PM

Hi,

Playing the violin is really fun (it should be)! Still, I can get how all that practicing and side effects from this activity for amateurs (like sometimes having to say no to social activities to prepare something, sleeping less since the violin always takes this extra time in your day where others would simply sleep or relax after exhausting job/homework, always feeling guilty if too long away from it and a number of other not so fun things related.) can ruin the love quickly ennough.

I love the violin inconditionally and still, sometimes I ask myself if it worths it. I guess it's like faith or anything. It's just normal to ask oneself questions and agree or not.

If anything, I discovered with time than music is a lifestyle no matter your level and status as a musician. I have friends who play hocky and do horseback riding etc. and it's the exact same thing.

If one does not want to make it a lifestyle, it’s quite difficult. But I know, we have a few lifestyles to match and combine together, which makes it challenging. Owning a dog is a lifestyle, having kids is another etc.

Such "hobbies" are way more than just hobbies and it's hard to only be invested half way because it's often impossible to play well ennough to enjoy it if we just invest ourself half way.

It's a bit like getting married I suppose!

Perhaps you already know this but it's really to assess the pros and cons in your situation and see which side wins. Very objectivly, I would honnestly see good reasons for either decision.

Violin music will always be there and available. Thought this site is a violin site full of enthousiastic violinists (me included) who could not imagine life without violin. I'm forced to admit that life is full of equally beautiful activities as violin and I discovered with years that violin can't "substitute" for friendship, love and connections of some sorts with other living beeings (may it be humans or animals)

Also, I would suggest to experiment with other string instruments to test if you really want to play the violin or another stringed instrument. Personally, I think I would love the cello very very much if my hands could take it! But since I love all string instruments, I am very happy with the violin as well.

Good luck!!! I hope you'll find answers to your questions. We can give ideas but the one who knows what you want and need is really you :)
Anne-Marie

From Alyssa Brown
Posted on November 7, 2013 at 11:44 PM

Thank you Anne-Marie! I'm thinking of trying to get lessons again and approach it a new way. And I might think about trying new instruments. Thank you so much for responding!

From Anne-Marie Proulx
Posted on November 8, 2013 at 9:33 PM

You're welcome :) Even if everyone's issues are different, one thing is common : decisions over our music "life", activities, choices etc. are not easy and can be as painful as love or family decisions. It's who we are. It's also some sort of identity quest in a way. Feeling happy and balanced in our music choices is the goal. And really, this is no small tasks :) So bravo for your courage of speaking this issue out!

From Alyssa Brown
Posted on November 10, 2013 at 4:53 AM

Thank you so much for responding this really helped! I just have one more question if you see this response. So I get excited if I picture myself playing in a band, but I don't think I'm into Orchestra as much. I love listening to Orchestras and they sound beautiful, but for some reason if I ever play in an orchestra I never seem to enjoy it. I've talked to other violinist and they don't understand why I don't like playing in Orchestra but love listening. Some very talented musicians in my school are auditioning for the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. And I get jealous of them (I know I don't have a right to be jealous they've been playing forever, I just can't help it). But I'm not sure if it's me or the Orchestra, when I picture myself playing in a big crowd in the orchestra it becomes exciting. But for some reason if I play in one it doesn't seem to fit (it's a very small school orchestra and not professional compared to other orchestras.) I was just wondering if you have heard of someone like this by chance. But sorry for all the questions it's all just confusing feelings. Again thank you very much for reading! :)

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Is violin for me? How to tell if you really love it? I feel very confused.

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