Food for though

July 1, 2008 at 4:29 AM

In another month, I'll be playing the violin for 6 months! A milestone for me (mini one at least)! I can't believe in this short 6 months, the amount of information I learned!! I think it's silly for me to even going to the forum and ask, "I'm an adult, is it too late to learn the violin?". Well, if I just kept asking and lurking here instead of going to find a teacher, I won't be playing a single note. Now, I'm working on beautiful music and playing with a community orchestra.

I was reading some of the old post and the question of whether the violin is the most difficult instrument really enlighten me. I agree that it is difficult, but everyone's ability is different. To me, progessing on the piano is more difficult. In my opinion, it's finding the right instrument. To me, playing the violin is like fish in water (compared to piano anyways!!). I'm so glad I'm learning it!!

Back to my practice, I'm having a hard time doing perfect 5ths, i'm not even talking about double stops. Just doing for e.g a legato slur on B to F# where you have to bar your finger, this is SO hard, any tips? My fingers are small, so it's very difficult... i tried rolling, but i'm not stopping the 2nd string completely and it's buzzing. :(

From Corey Washbourne
Posted on July 1, 2008 at 7:19 AM

I've followed some of your posts on the discussion board and I have to say I'm pretty impressed that you've made it into a community orchestra after just six months of playing violin! Keep up the good work :)

From John Allison
Posted on July 1, 2008 at 1:38 PM

I agree with the previous poster! I've been playing 1.5 years, just finishing suzuki 2. I practice a minimum of an hour a day. I've just started discussions with out community orch to see if I can even audition let alone join!

Great job!

From PM Rolf
Posted on July 1, 2008 at 3:35 PM

Guys, don't give up. I'm just lucky that I have a very forgiving orchestra and conductor. After the first rehearsal, I seriously thought I wasn't going back. But you do get better!!I'm also very lucky to have a very seasoned teacher in our orchestra that takes the time to coach us once a week (aside from orchestra rehearsal) and work with us. This helps me tremendously, especially working out the fingerings, sometimes, it just works so much better with the dreaded 2nd position.Good luck guys!

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on July 1, 2008 at 10:24 PM

Greetings,
I think you mean fifths. If you have small fingertips you might be advusied to have the strings set closer togtehr by a luthier,
Cheers,
Buri

From PM Rolf
Posted on July 2, 2008 at 12:14 AM

Thanks Buri! I didn't catch that! yes, i meant 5th (edited now)
I'll have to look into that, it's like pulling teeth trying to bar those notes.

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on July 2, 2008 at 2:32 PM

I'm impressed too by your progress. You're giving us adult students a good name. Keep up the good work!

From Charlie Caldwell
Posted on July 2, 2008 at 7:52 PM

I have a lot of trouble with fifths, too. The solution I found was to try and put the pad of the finger directly in between the two strings. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

From PM Rolf
Posted on July 2, 2008 at 10:16 PM

Charlie, I've tried that as well, but because of my tiny fingers, when I do that, I basically have to flatten out my fingers, is that okay?

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on July 2, 2008 at 10:27 PM

Greetings,
not really. One greta violnist with very small fingertips actually pulls the lower string towards the upper to make it work but this is not so common. It relaly does sound liek a set up issue.
Cheers,
Buri

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