If you think violins are boring and posh, please watch this

[Soubriquet]

I discovered Lindsey Stirling a few months ago and now listen to her almost every day.

I think she’s a fantastic violinist…so wanted to share her videos. It’s amazing how far she’s come considering she was rejected on AGT

master of tides

DD is a huge fan and has a couple of albums and some sheet music she happily plays for ages (unlike some of her other pieces)

Why would anyone think violins are boring and posh?

And, if they did, how would someone playing the violin, in a perfectly normal way, change their minds?

We call them fiddles in my part of the country and fiddlers are pretty normal

Some people think violins are pretentious. Lindsey is proving they aren’t. It’s not a normal way to play it. Not many will dance whilst holding it.

Soubriquet I’m sorry to take issue with your thesis but I just don’t agree. Violins are portable and historically connected to folk music - in England, at least. So, hardly pretentious.

Do you perhaps mean that owning and learning to play a violin is seen as somewhat exclusive? Maybe so. Still doesn’t prevent anyone from enjoying a violin performance.

(As someone with a fair few musicians amongst my friends and acquaintances I’m only concerned about the amount of water making contact with that poor instrument.)

Have you never seen Vanessa Mae? She was playing electric violin and dancing 25 years ago! It’s not a new thing, Lindsey Stirling is basically copying Vanessa Mae.

She is fun, but she is Disneyland and some of us pretentious folks prefer Neuschwanstein

Let people like what they like!

‘Violins are pretentious’?! God, you hear so much rubbish on here.

They're anything but boring & posh. I play folk music (as a hobby). I often dance while playing. My Gran started teaching me the fiddle when I was tiny. My only regret? That I didn't get her to teach me to squeeze! (Lessons are on my bucket list)

Also I agree with pp, this is nothing Vanessa Mae hasn't already done.

Boring and posh? No just an instrument, like any other? Some people can play amazingly like this lady. Plenty before her like Vanessa may although it’s not really what I choose to listen to. Odd thread

IIRC, when Vanessa Mae hit the charts, people claimed that she was 'copying' Nigel Kennedy by popularising the violin and classical music... There's always a few who seem to enjoy just being negative about everything 🙄

OP has posted trying encourage people to watch a violinist , something that can be perceived as niche. And people are focusing on her choice of words rather than the intention. It’s great that so many people are familiar with fiddles, and don’t see playing the violin as elitist. But lots of people do , and trying to promote an amazing young violinist is a nice thing surely ?

@LiterallyKnowsBest

Why would anyone think violins are boring and posh?

And, if they did, how would someone playing the violin, in a perfectly normal way, change their minds?

Yes, it's totally normal to be dancing in a fountain playing the violin. 🙄

Honestly, in my world that sort of thing is pretty run of the mill.

Sorry to break it to you OP but violin is one of the ‘cooler’ instruments.
You thinking that it was ‘boring and posh’ just goes to show how little you know.

Lindsey Stirling is known for her violin/dance combo rather than being good at the violin. If you wanted to prove a point Taylor Davis or Simply Three would be better choices 😂

Also to add violins are the most popular instrument next to the piano and guitar…hardly something that needs even more publicity

I don't like the sound of the violin. I once went to a concert at our local music school. One of the sections was 'beginner violins'. Not only was it dire to listen to, but it went on for ever. Even worse, they returned after the interval.

Some people think violins are pretentious.

Who?

@eddiemairswife

I don't like the sound of the violin. I once went to a concert at our local music school. One of the sections was 'beginner violins'. Not only was it dire to listen to, but it went on for ever. Even worse, they returned after the interval.

Usually known as the vile-din

And that video was grimly naff and tacky.

Thanks OP, I'd never heard of her but will check out more of her work now.
One of my favourite pieces of music is by Vanessa Mae

Hmm, not sure why Vanessa Mae's official video is unavailable 🤔 Hopefully link will work

Boring and posh??

@CustardCreamsAndMintTea

She is fun, but she is Disneyland and some of us pretentious folks prefer Neuschwanstein

Let people like what they like!

You do know the story of Neuschwanstein? :) This sentence kinda reminds me of Schonberg pieces... but hey, each to it's own :) I prefer Balanescu Quartett, when it comes to strings. or Barabas Lorinc Eklektric for trumpet

also: posh?
son wants to start learning the violin. Compared to drums and guitar he already plays, starting violins are cheap :)

Sorry but her act does not help me to enjoy listening to the screeching monstrosity of this instrument any more than a normal orchestra does.