Can somebody make steady progress, gain distinctions in exams, but it be the wrong instrument.
I am listening to dds violin lesson and her teacher is sorting out the bits she always seems to be getting wrong that she regularly practices wrongly.
Its as though she doesn't hear that she's played a wrong note, even though she knows the music well.
Is this a problem with string instruments or just her.
She has excellent pitch, wouldn't say absolute but not much short of this. She doesn't do this when singing or playing her other instruments.
It is difficult to put a finger on it, but its like listening to somebody play the wrong instrument.
Considering her commitment to music, she also doesn't seem as motivated and keen to know more and push hard as for other instruments. She could hardly name a violinist but can tell you lots of singers, saxophonists etc.
I've asked her about continuing and she is adamant she wants to, but as she has such high ambitions, knows where she is going etc, it seems she is wasting valuable time if she isn't going to take it to the level she wants with other instruments and singing.
On paper she looks fine age 10 doing gr4 in summer playing 3 years.
Does anybody know what I mean and what to suggest.
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Violin - wrong instrument?
morethanpotatoprints · 02/04/2014 12:41
It may be that she has just reached a technical hiatus with the violin but if she is spreading herself too thinly and enjoying it less then I would be the firm parent and suspend it for at least a trial period. Perhaps as a compromise or a 'swop' you could let her try bass guitar 
, less time consuming but good for rhythm.
summer
I think perhaps just letting her get on as she is is probably the way forward. I know she wants to do the exam, but it worries me she doesn't play much else other than exam pieces and her parts for her string group.
I think a lot of her motivation to continue is because she has been asked to try for the county youth orchestra this year, so would go in at y6 and not y7. If we offered her another instrument I know she'd choose bass or drums, so no way 
Julie
Many thanks for the names, I will leave them out for her, if I suggest it she won't look because she's a stubborn mare and likes to be independent.
She has a few books with accompaniment cds but tends not to play them for some reason. I have found one I thought she'd like, have you any views on the jigs and wheels book? She likes the gypsy type as well or the Jewish ones like The Bridegroom one from the syllabus.
Finally, sorry, you should be charging for this but any ideas as to why she doesn't always notice out of tune/ wrong note but does so on everything else? oh, even when she knows the tune well. It isn't often but she has no idea at all sometimes that she has done this.
How many instruments does she play? I'm seeing violin, saxophone and piano, plus maybe more? 
There are a few issues here. Firstly, you need to realise that the violin is an incredibly difficult instrument to play in the early stages, certainly much more difficult than the saxophone. When you talk about her not realising she's practising things wrong, I presume you're referring to playing in tune? This is a MUCH bigger challenge on the violin than the sax, because you don't have specific keys to press to get each note at least most of the way there, you have to painstakingly learn the EXACT place to put your finger, even playing at great speed. And of course it isn't an issue at all on the piano.
Noone's a "natural" violinist. Some people have the benefit of very good, very early and intensive tuition. Some people practice fanatically until they get very good very young. But essentially, it's an incredibly unnatural instrument.
Secondly, if she's into doing music seriously and learning three or more instruments, you may be right about the advantage of specialising a bit more. Personally I'd be trying to get a sense of what styles and types of playing she gravitates towards. If it's jazz or pop, playing in bands, improvising etc, then keep the sax and piano, maybe try some guitar but leave the violin. If OTOH she's really responsive to the more "straight" activity of sitting in a classical orchestra playing a written part, then the violin is a good instrument to so that with; the sax not so much.
Thank you very much for the responses, they are really helpful.
You always hear people saying that string instruments are hard to play but for some reason I haven't been listening 
I think I was doubtful because she seems to pick things up easily in other respects, also doing gr4 sax in summer, having only played 18 months by then.
I think a trip to our lovely local music shop is in order over Easter, I know Amazon is cheaper, but I believe in supporting small businesses when I can.
FastLoris
Her main instrument is voice, this is her first love. She is like a sponge, can learn a song over a couple of days and perform it on the third.
She sings in a major (no pun) choir and some minor ones too (no pun) and believes she's going to be a famous opera or classical singer one day.
She practices music for at least 2.5 hours a day and if no concerts etc will do 4 or even 5 hours, she's a bit freaky at times.
FastLoris
That is interesting, thank you.
I have this battle with dh who suggests that one day he'll be proved right and it isn't the right instrument.
It is difficult for me to see this, although I know he could be right. Oh, he does know what he's talking about more than me
Her pitch is excellent, not perfect but very nearly and she can hear it on everything else but violin.
I will get her to do what you suggest and thank you very much, she has done some practice today and even though general sound was good it still sounded flat, even though instrument was tuned.
I am also bearing in mind what has been said about finger positioning and shifts, this may have a lot to do with it atm.
Wow Fastlorius, thank you.
What a wonderful way to get the point across. 
I will give this a go, certainly.
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