I’m a violin teacher ask me anything 🎻

[Coolieloach]

I have over 20 years teaching experience, ask me anything!

Do you have fiddler’s neck. My ex SIL did.

When is a good age to start learning an instrument?

I have a long(ish) neck if that’s what you mean?!

Angry face - I recommend 6 or 7 to start instrumental lessons but so much can be learned before hand such as at age 4 or 5 general musicianship skills can be developed through singing & musical games. I also teach infant string projects where we can learn the fundamentals before even touching an instrument such as pulse, pitch, rhythm and listening skills

No, it’s redness, thickening and inflammation. Hope you don’t but hear it’s an occupational hazard.

I learned in primary for a while (can't remember how long) and then gave up because I was scared of the violin teacher. Do you think I could start learning again even though I'm now 43?

Finfinty- ah yes I had that as a teenager but then changed shoulder rests so it sorted itself out.

SciFi, absolutely you can start learning again. I think it can be harder to find the time as an adult but if it’s something you really want to do then you’ll make it work. I have 2 adult students, last week one of them took grade 1. Today I got the results, she got a merit. She’s a busy specialist nurse in her 50’s with a family, she is one determined lady! Good on her, we were both so pleased!

@Coolieloach what do you think of the Suzuki method, in particular bearing in mind what you say above about starting at age 6/7? We are considering getting DS lessons at 3. He’s 2.5 but has been obsessed with the violin since he was tiny (we have a family friend who is a pro violinist so he’s heard it lots).

Folk - yes the Suzuki method if very effective with very young children as it concentrates on a more holistic approach with listening and singing as important early components. The main issue with this method is it takes an awful lot of commitment from parents, obviously because children are so little, so it will involve not just the lessons themselves but a lot of re-enforcement from parents on a daily basis.
Depends entirely on whether parents want that commitment really.

If I was working with a child this young I would concentrate on general musicianship elements such as listening, rhythm, pulse, pitch and introduce the violin in short bursts with lots of focus on posture, pizzicato and learning bow hold on a pen or a pencil initially with suitable bowing exercises.

Hi there. Have you discovered any enormously talented players?