Anyone ever taught themselves the violin?

[WestwardHo1]

I need to learn a new skill before my brain withers and dies 😨 I have always been a musical person and learned several instruments as a child and teen, but my DM refused point blank to let the violin be one of them. Possibly to save her own sanity which I can kind of understand. In middle age though I want to learn, though probably couldn't afford lessons and the regular attendance.

I have a good ear and it looks easy enough to pick up a decent ish instrument. But has anyone else done this successfully? Or any stringed instrument? Or do any violinists out there have any advice? Fortunately my immediate neighbour is rather deaf, and at any rate he plays his radio loudly at 2am when he can't sleep, so I won't feel too guilty.

I took up the cello as an adult and imo the stringed instruments are v difficult to self teach, unlike for example the piano. You have to cultivate the right physical habits from the beginning and that needs a teacher (ideally!)

I had 10yrs of lessons and I was still shit😂

Damn, thought as much. Need to find a teacher for 49 year year old with not much time or cash

😁

It is not the instrument I would go to for self teaching, you will be embracing very screechy noises for a long time!

I was hoping to be an undiscovered genius to be honest!

Self-taught the guitar. Honestly, you really need to want it. Find pieces that you like to play and learn them, rather than "beginner" pieces that you hate. And honestly, you probably will need instruction at the beginning. I managed to get a Groupon deal that was local to me for three lessons for £19 (total, not each. This was about 12 years ago! But something similar might exist for you)

I'll never be phenominal at playing, but I'm decent enough to play in public and I enjoy it, so that's what matters.

The violin takes a good few years to not sound terrible, not one I would recommend to learn yourself as even someone very talented with a good ear would struggle to stay motivated.

How about guitar? The Fender app is good for learning and cheap for the first few months.

What did you used to play? Do you still play them?
Is there not something closer related to this instruments that you could try?
I would have thought almost anything would be easier than the violin.

I have just had 6 months of cello lessons - I imagined, as a musical person, that I would pick it up fairly easily and be as good as Jacqueline du Pre after a year or so 😉- it's REALLY hard to play a stringed instrument - and also having always played woodwind/treble clef, learning to read music in the bass clef is ridiculous.

I really don't think that the violin would be easy to pick up without a teacher tbh....I certainly couldn't have taught myself cello - technique is vital.

I used to learn the piano, up to grade 8. Though I've lost a lot of my skillage, I still play for pleasure sometimes. I learned clarinet to a similar standard. I bloody hated clarinet - only did it because my mum made me 🙄.

I just fancied being able to take part on some level in those folky jammy sessions you see in pubs (I know, I know....)

You mean you're not as good as Jacqueline? That's disappointing, @Panicmode1 .

Still, sounds as though you've done pretty well.

Ok, I concede. A teacher is a must

I think it partly depends what you want to play on the violin, folk type stuff doable self teaching, whereas classical you're really going to struggle. You need to be building the correct techniques from the start otherwise you'll come up against blocks down the line where you can't improve due to issues with technique. You need a second pair of eyes to correct bad habits before.

I know. I was shocked (and disappointed 😂)

Good luck and have fun!

Haha me too 😂

You could learn the banjo by yourself, with some YouTube tutorials, and good for folk music sessions.

Oooh there's a thought. I have literally never considered the banjo

Really wouldn't recommend it if you have neither the time nor the money to invest properly.

How about the ukulele?

My SIL is a self-taught violinist. Folk not classical if that matters.

Another cello player here. So far had around two years of lessons and I’m still mostly crap. It’s fun though.

Take up sax?

Too similar to clarinet. I loathe the clarinet!

If you're a good musician, which it sounds like you are, I think you could probably do this - BUT you do need at least a couple of lessons to show you technique. Especially how you hold the violin, and how you use the bow.

Are you near a collage? Maybe ask for a tutor on Facebook - a music student might want some cash and might be a cheaper alternative to a fully qualified teacher?

The cello is much easier than the violin but still very tricky to teach yourself. You have to get both hands in unnatural positions and I would say it’s almost impossible without a teacher.

And the violin is harder than that, and sounds worse as a beginner.

Guitar or ukulele is the way to go. Or penny whistle?!