Best Online Teaching For An Adult Beginner.

August 30, 2015 at 12:41 PM · Frankly, there really isn't such a thing. Everybody wants to beat the system, but the only way to really learn to make a good sound on the violin is to get a teacher.

That being said, I love violinmasterclass.com, but I don't think Mr. Sassmannshaus would disagree that it can't possibly replace a teacher, most especially for someone with no experience whatsoever.

August 30, 2015 at 02:17 PM · http://stringtechnique.com/

http://www.toddehle.com/index.html

Both are good.

August 30, 2015 at 03:03 PM · Violin lab.com is a subscription site but inexpensive. Beth Blackerby is the host and an excellent teacher with over 400 videos at present. A very active site with world wide adult participation. Many use this site to augment private lessons though there are participants who don't have access to quality instruction.

August 30, 2015 at 04:56 PM · Since you asked:

Country, Classical, Rock, or Jazz, starting at the top of the string - on the violin - is actually a good idea. It is fundamental to understanding how the violin works as well as to how toning the biceps offers an essential foundation for that tricky left hand tension.

Put the violin back in the case, get comfortable, and watch all of the technique videos. http://bit.ly/1EZQseC You can listen to the songs at the end or save those for later. Go straight through the first time! All 25 minutes! (I also suggest reading Benedict Carey's, HOW WE LEARN!)

When you are feeling confident performing these techniques, send me a video. You’ll have earned an hour’s lesson with FaceTime or Skype as an option.

Helen Martin www.theWholeString.com

August 30, 2015 at 06:16 PM · Skype lessons are online and are way better than any canned material.

August 30, 2015 at 06:25 PM · Online lessons are a one way street-they can show you what to do, but can NOT give further explanations, answer your questions, CORRECT YOUR INEVITABLE MISTAKES, or any of the hundred things that happen every time you take a lesson in person.

Some things require human to human interaction, learning the violin is undoubtedly one of those things.

I am also an adult beginner, and have not begrudged any of the many hundreds of dollars I've spent on lessons. I also have a friend in my teacher, whom I am happy to see each week. It's a wonderful investment all the way around.

August 30, 2015 at 06:36 PM · Some of the best video tutorials that I have seen are the ones produced by Kurt Sassmannshaus for his web site, violinmasterclass.com

I also really admire and respect Roy Sonne's youtube channel, and the videos produced by Todd Ehle.

You've already heard (and will likely continue to hear) that you can't expect to learn to play the violin yourself without a skilled and experienced teacher. I think the reason I benefit from the videos produced by Sassmannshaus, Ehle, and Sonne is because they are in considerable agreement with what I have already been learning in my lessons. They are a secondary source that supports the primary individual instruction that I get at my biweekly lessons.

So far I have balked at paying for memberships at the pay sites. Those sites may indeed be very very good but I've got so many musical things that I could spend money on (a viola, a nicer digital piano, a synthesizer, etc. etc.), so far web-based violin instruction hasn't risen to the top of that list.

August 30, 2015 at 08:16 PM · Greetings,

yes, Paul's three recommendatios.. but also take a look at Nathan's etuff....

A copy of The Violin Lesson is also wise.

Burp

September 2, 2015 at 10:06 PM · Since the other folks mentioned on this thread aren't around, I'll say that I enjoy many of their videos and would add the following: it's true that online learning is not an exact replacement for in-person. It's a fact that all of us who teach this way must confront right away. But don't forget that for many, many players it's their only good option. This may be because of money, time or distance, but it is true for a great many folks who want to learn. Yes, you can always make violin enough of a priority to overcome these factors, but the OP was talking about the very beginning. Should someone in a rural area, for example, not even pick up the violin because they don't have time to travel to a teacher?

Something I certainly had to think about when putting my material online.

September 10, 2015 at 06:57 PM · There are no books, videos, or websites that are complete. Either they are made by people who don't actually have any idea what they are doing, or (in the case of "masterclass" materials) they are intended to be used as a supplement to lessons and therefore give you exercises or perhaps introduce a new technique but only under the assumption that you already have experience playing your instrument. Any instructor with sufficient formal training is going to believe formal training is the only effective approach, so they are not going to suggest you start on your own and potentially develop habits that will hold you back. You have to have two-way communication. There are ways to learn online, through live webcam or video exchange, but it is a compromise to in-person instruction and will not be effective at all if you don't have an instructor who can see and hear you play and make appropriate corrections immediately, before bad habits start to develop.

One of the challenges I frequently face with students who have come to me after having previously tried to learn on their own is convincing them to let me teach them. They become accustomed to doing things a certain way, and they want to continue doing them that way, even if it will actually prevent them from making additional progress. If you start learning on your own, then hit a wall and discover that you need help (as everyone does if they don't quit first), you will be wasting your money on that help if you continue doing what was not working and led you to seek help in the first place. You have to be able to trust that future teacher to tell you what to play and help you establish proper technique, but you will meanwhile be tempted to continue watching video tutorials and messing around with music that is way beyond your skill level. Your teacher can't fix your technique if you are mimicking other people your teacher doesn't even know about, people who might not even have the experience to teach you anything.

Incorrect alignment of the left wrist or fingers that are not properly curved and always at the ready to be placed will prevent vibrato and shifting and limit speed. Bowing is so much harder than people realize before they begin learning to play the violin. You can do a simple détaché bowing, which is the simple back and forth, one-stroke-per-note approach that a lot of beginners learn first, with the bow clinched in your fist. You might even be able to get some staccatos and slurs out like that, too. The reason bow hold matters is that balance, control, and precise placement of the bow become important much later. If you are just sawing back and forth with no attention to these things, you are limiting yourself to the tunes you learned to sing as a child, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Surely you don't want to limit yourself like that. Taking lessons will give you the best possible chance.

I understand scheduling issues and where you live sometimes get in the way of having an in-person instructor, but if you can use this site, there are options out there for online lessons that will work for you and still allow two-way communication with an instructor. I provide some of those options from my own studio. As for financial reasons that are often stated as a reason for learning on your own, learning the violin costs money no matter how you cut it. Extremely cheap violins are not good for learning. They are uncomfortable and more difficult to play than what you would get for a few hundred dollars more, and they don't resonate in a way that gives you proper feedback so you can develop bow control. On top of that, maintenance and repairs on a violin can really take a chunk out of your wallet. Strings and bow hair need to be replaced about once a year, shoulder rests wear out eventually just like your shoes do, and occasionally the instrument needs to visit the shop for some minor but expensive repairs no matter how well you care for it. Then you have the potential for medical bills from the injuries that are so common among those who attempt to learn on their own. While I would never discourage anyone from eventually learning the violin if they have a desire to do so, I do not believe rushing into it when you can't afford to learn properly is wise. It is a lesser tragedy, in my opinion, for someone to either delay learning to play or perhaps never do it at all, than it would be for that same person to scrape together enough money to buy a violin shaped object that they can barely afford only to have their dreams crushed when the discover the instrument requires more time and effort than they had bargained. Such a person will have wasted money that they probably needed for something else. As much as I love the violin, I can make music with my voice, my hands, or any random object I find lying around. I don't need the violin to survive, and I don't need it to make music. Therefore, I cannot in good conscience advise someone that any of the number of free "lessons" online combined with a VSO is better than nothing at all.

September 10, 2015 at 07:13 PM · Bravo!

September 11, 2015 at 02:52 AM · Good points above! It does make me sad to see bad violin habits, but I always hold out hope that I can help folks overcome them. There's an aspect of online learning we haven't mentioned that I think we who teach "live" could incorporate more often: take-home demos. When I've taken golf lessons a very few times in my life, I appreciated the fact that they sent me home with a DVD (in those days) of the session. I loved watching the teacher demonstrating what he had been telling me, and comparing it with how I looked. It allowed me to keep the ideas fresh for a long time.

September 14, 2015 at 08:23 AM · My story goes like this. I opted not to go for lessons because I played guitar for about 12 years and used to be an active gigging musician before I started violin. In those 12 years I learned a lot about how to learn an instrument, how to practice correctly and how to develop the ear and overall musicianship.

I learned that slow practice is KEY. I learned to troubleshoot and solve technique problems (not to practice mistakes) and make exercises from difficult passages. I learned ear training is essential. Technique is in the ears, not in the fingers. I learned to sing it before I play it. Listen, listen, listen. Theory is a massive aid. I learned to read as many (good) books and blogs as I can. I learned that if it feels comfortable, relaxed and easy it's probably right and if there's any tension it's probably wrong. I learned to lay the foundations well and master the basics before moving on.

I find resources like books and videos very helpful.

I'm midway through Suzuki book 2 and I'm still content with my rate of progress. If the violin was my first instrument I would have gone to a teacher. If I was young enough to have a chance to go pro I would have considered a good teacher.

I recently attended a symphony concert where the concertmaster had his thumb so high up the side of the fingerboard it looked like he was going to play some blues guitar and bend the strings, yet he was playing like a machine. Beautiful tone, everything. James Ehnes' thumb is also pretty high (about halfway of the aforementioned violinist haha) and he seems to be doing fine.

September 14, 2015 at 09:45 AM · David - a rather brilliant summary - I've saved it for future inspiration!

From what I've seen on the Adult Starters group on FaceBook, most adult learners struggle to make much progress with this most-difficult of instruments, even if they have a teacher. It's clear from the videos they post that most wouldn't have a prayer on their own, so I can understand why teachers are so negative about the issue of self-learning.

But we are all different and my own experience suggests that it's not an impossible undertaking, though only if you are analytical and have reasonable somatic awareness, a decent pair of ears and a background in another instrument.

Nowadays with the availability of good tutorial and performance videos to study, together with the exceptional works of Galamian and Fischer, I believe that a small but significant proportion of students can do fine on their own. In particular, I feel that Fischer's The Violin Lesson is a game-changer when it comes to self-teaching.

Due to ill health lessons are beyond my means, but I decided to have a go anyway. I've no particular talent so my progress is pretty modest, but I make a decent sound and occasional check-ups from professional friends suggest that nothing is too far amiss. And I am, by force of circumstance, becoming a self-sufficient problem solver, which is surely where we all need to end up sooner rather than later?

Would I make faster progress with a good teacher? Obviously I would. I've taken a couple of (relatively minor) false turnings that have taken time to correct. But I'm having fun, which is the main point when you start as an adult, and I'm even starting to get some nice feedback and offers of gigs.

So please keep open-minded. Yes - if someone has no background in music they are almost certainly going to need help. But if people already know how to learn an instrument, as David and I rather hope we do, don't discourage us from having a go if lessons aren't a practical option. With the resources available today it can be done.

September 14, 2015 at 04:38 PM · As one who has offered online video instruction, here is my biased POV.

1. With online video instruction you do not get feedback. Agreed.

2.The private teacher sees what you are doing wrong and can correct it.

3. The private teacher works with you over time and can develop an deep understanding of your needs.

4.The private teacher assigns repertoire and technical material according to your needs.

All important stuff.

OTOH -

1. Many of the instructional videos are made by expert violinists and teachers. Very likely they are much more expert than your private teacher.

2. Video and online instruction is in it's infancy. And it's getting better all the time. Private violin teaching has been around for hundreds of years.

3. As a private teacher I often refer my students to online videos by Todd Ehle, Beth Blackerby, et al. They teach many things better than I do, and also the videos are available every day.

4. I wonder how many of the people who categorically reject video instruction have actually given it a good try, or know other people who have done so.

5. I think ultimately the best solution will be a mix of private instruction and online or video instruction. What will the proportion be? I think that is an individual matter. Some people will do well with 80% video instruction and a private lesson once every month or two. Others need a private lesson every week with occasional secondary input from videos.

September 14, 2015 at 05:17 PM · Hi Roy

What a sane response!

I was on your YouTube site this morning and was greatly impressed - you are clearly an inspiring and thoughtful teacher. I, for one, will be making use of your videos.

The availability of online materials is causing a re-evaluation of the role of teachers in many fields. Why, for example, sit in a lecture room listening to an inexperienced professor stumbling through a subject, when you can access a video by the best teachers in the field?

I think we have to separate teaching into the passing over of information on the one hand, and the provision of personalised guidance and feedback on the other.

The first task can be undertaken by video and written material. In today's online world, live teachers should focus on the second role, I feel.

As you say, students learn in different ways. Some are self-motivated problem solvers and can progress with less hands on input, others need more guidance and encouragement.

So we now have a spectrum - written material, instructional video, remote teaching by Skype and MP4, hands-on group teaching, and hands-on individual teaching. The best balance will surely vary between individuals with different abilities, resources and goals.

Online pioneers like yourself and Nathan are adding to the spectrum of options in very valuable ways.

September 16, 2015 at 10:19 PM · I have not noticed anyone discussing interactive play-along tools in this thread. Thoughts on these as helpful options?

September 20, 2015 at 01:37 AM · I've recently published a course on Udemy at udemy.com/learn-the-violin-no-music-experience-necessary that is geared towards adult beginners. I agree with many of the previous posters, that nothing can replace in-person lessons, but if that's not a possibility, or you're just wanting to test the waters, then a course like mine would be a good fit. My course will guide you through basic techniques, a few scales and some simple songs. If you're interested, let me know and I can send you a coupon code for a discount on the course.

Otherwise, I agree with most other people, as I also teach privately and on Skype and think that one-on-one interaction is invaluable.

September 21, 2015 at 11:52 PM · As an adult beginner, I had three years of weekly lessons. Now I take lessons (Skype or in person) when I have the funds, and I fill in with online videos which I find hugely helpful. I find valuable tips that my teachers have never mentioned. Lately I have been watching Eddy Chen. I have also used Violinlab, Fiddlerman, Laurel Thomsen and Todd Ehle. On occasion, my Skype teacher will recommend a video on a certain bowing technique.