May 11, 2005 at 4:12 AM

I'm 49 years old; tomorrow morning I begin studying the violin. Everyone online has been so kind to me that I thought it might be helpful to other adult beginning violin students if I kept a diary about my experience.

Since I made my decision on May 1st, things have moved very fast. Thanks to Craig's List, I found a teacher in my area who has played in our county orchestra (a very good one) for 30 years. Her ad is attractive and she sounds pleasant and dedicated on the phone. I have heard her play many times; she is happy to take adult students; and she agrees to come to my home. That last is very important, as I am unable to drive because of my injured right shoulder. From now on, I'll call her "DM".

DM suggests I go to Ifshin's, in Berkeley, CA, to buy or rent a violin. And she suggests I might want to try a Jay Haide violin. So my husband, who's being incredibly supportive, drives me over on May 4th. I'm nervous about going to Ifshin's, even a little embarrassed, because of my complete ignorance. But we find a parking place directly in front the store, which I take as a good omen.

Ifshin's is everything it should be inside; lots of wood moldings and trim, lots of instruments. The sales clerks move quietly, peacefully. A customer is testing a violin. I feel good about the place; it is welcoming, not intimidating.

We go upstairs to the rental department, and, after waiting a bit, the head clerk asks how she can help us, and I say I'd like to rent a violin. She hesitates for a second, and then asks if it is for a child or, hesitating again, myself. When I tell her it is for me, she and the other clerk give me a warm smile and congratulate me. Another customer, there about her son's violin, looks at me with pity and scorn and says, "How nice." It's my first direct experience with the age bias people discuss online.

But the clerks are wonderful. I say I'd like to rent a Jay Haide, and they bring out a violin that looks lovely, much nicer than I expected it to be for $22 a month. It looked much nicer than the clerk expected, too, so she runs downstairs with it to make sure it is available for rental. It is. She gets the other clerk to tune and play it for me. I think it sounds great. Very warm and rich. The violinist says it has an unusually big sound for a student violin. The head clerk knows my teacher and says she is sure DM will like it.

Its previous keeper put Obligattos on it, so that might account for some of the sound, although I certainly don't know enough to say. The clerk suggests I use less expensive strings. But I had read about Obligattos here, so I kept them.

The violin comes with a bow, fine tuners (ugly), rosin, and a case. I buy a music stand, a shoulder rest, a tuning fork, a pitch pipe... and then the clerk says, "Oh, there are electronic tuners." So I go look at those and buy one that is also a metronome. The clerk puts the violin under my chin and adjusts the shoulder rest. I sign a bunch of papers, they hand me my stuff, and that's that.

I bring it all home and play with it. Every day I take the violin from the case and look at it. The wood is so beautiful I can't help but caress it. The clerk showed me how to tighten the bow correctly, so I do, and draw it across the strings. The sound is lovely. Finally, several days after bringing it home, I put it under my chin; I'm amazed at how light it is. I draw the bow lightly over the open strings. My husband calls to me and tells me how beautiful it sounds from the living room. I know he is telling the truth.

I know how to hold neither the violin nor bow, nor how to position the bow correctly on the strings, but this bubble of wood and varnish rewards my fumbling efforts with beauty, with music. What a generous spirit it has!

Yes, yes, I'm sure it's obvious -- I have fallen in love with my violin.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on May 11, 2005 at 5:05 AM

That was beautiful. I'm sure other adult beginners and their teachers will enjoy reading it. I'm so glad that you're doing something you love. BTW, when you find out how useful the fine tuners are, they'll look pretty to you.

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on May 11, 2005 at 6:16 AM

Wow, great reading. You're very sharp, and from reading your posts I can tell you aren't one to be intimidated, in a very nice way. You're going to do great!

From K. S.
Posted on May 11, 2005 at 1:03 PM

What a lovely post. Although I live on the east coast, I once went to Ifshin's in Berkeley with my sister and her daughter, my niece, who rents a violin from them. She also has a Jay Haide (I think they're assembled for Ifshin in China) and I was impressed by the quality of the instrument. You described the shop so vividly. Congratulations, and good luck on your new adventure!

From Evelyn Ray
Posted on May 12, 2005 at 12:46 AM

I'm started at 52, 2 years ago. The advantage we "mature" adults have is to enjoy the journey. I still get a kick out of simple scales. I did not think to start a journal until recently when I started vibrato. I have recordings from those early days though. One warning about recording: do not listen to them for awhile. It's a shock. I love listening to them now, because there is such an incredible improvement. Go for it!

Eve

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

May 11, 2005 at 4:12 AM

Subscribe

Laurie's Books