If you are reading this, probably you (as myself…) have been caught by the charm of violins. This beautiful instrument has a quite unique magic living through its interpreter right at the moment; it is so special that you can feel how the soul awakens with the sound of its vibrating strings.
If you dare to begin this journey, you must know that it is full of challenges to overcome and that during the process there will be a lot of self-learning. The journey is dedicated to brave human beings, of those who do not surrender to try out this endless but amazing path, one also full of satisfaction!
Let me tell you some things about the violin …
1. TIME AND PATIENCE ARE A MUST FOR THE VIOLIN TO HAVE A DECENT SOUND
How long? This could be the question I most frequently respond as a violin teacher; but honestly the truth is that for this matter it is totally relative. Each person is different: each one´s body, process and other life situations could make the difference, however, there are some common factors that influence the performance such as effort and constant practice.
Having a nice sound and good posture are directly related. The position we adopt to play the violin is particularly unique, something completely new; what you are going to do when you start playing is trying to include it in your daily life and that requires a lot of patience and discipline, specially to get adapted and to feel comfortable with it.
When you start the process of learning to play an instrument, you need to develop many motor skills, you must teach your arms and body the correct way to move in relation to the instrument; the important thing is to remember that everything is possible with effort and commitment.
The violin will start to have a more pleasant sound by the time you achieve a good position and self-control. How much time does it take you to teach your body something new? There is your answer…
2. VIOLINIST HANDS
A violinist must have short nails, very short … quite short (seriously!). It doesn’t mean you can´t have beautiful hands. Although, I am a terrible example of nice hands, even so, I feel very proud of my ugly hands.
You must never go to your violin lesson with long nails but honestly, you shouldn´t have them long at all because you won’t be able to practice; it´s simple: you cannot play the violin with your nails on the way between your fingers and the fingerboard: they just simply won´t let you have a good position, and if you have read the first part of this article you should know by now that if you don’t have a good position the violin is not going to sound as nicely as expected.
It is a small sacrifice; but who cares about those things when you can play violin?😊
3. THE "MARK" IN THE NECK IS REAL
If some day you go visit the Music Faculty at any university or conservatory and you pay attention, you will see that many people have a mark on their neck, they are all violinists and violists!
The constant friction of the instrument against the skin in the neck produces the mark, and most of the times, it´s uneventful for the violin player (apart from the awkward moments when you have to explain the reason of the “bruise” on your neck). After a while it doesn’t matter what others think about it, and you don’t even bother telling the story anymore. You know you got it after all the well spent hours practicing the violin. I like to think of it as a life mark, like scars or wrinkles, it is a reminder that the violin is a big part of my life and has left its sign on me.
4. PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND MORE PRACTICE ...
You will disturb your parents, your siblings, your neighbors and basically everyone around you. your new musical interest may not be the most pleasant sound to listen to on earth, neither are you the most skilled player (yet! … But you can always change that J). However, the only way to make it better is by constantly practicing in a conscious and efficient way.
Listening to a violin teacher explaining how to play the violin will certainly not make you play it well. Your teacher´s advice and indications are words that serve as a guide, and your mission is to transform all of this into great music with the violin in one hand and the bow in the other. The best way to understand something and make it your own has always been (and will forever be) by doing it … repeatedly!
Self-judgment and self-demand are the key to a good practice, you are your own judge when practicing and your criteria will tell you what is right or wrong. This self-awareness and increases consciousness of yourself are vital for your body and mind to learn correctly. Therefore, all the effort and perseverance will be rewarded.
5. THE VIOLIN IS LIKE YOUR BOYFRIEND
It’s a complicated relationship: from passionate love to hate and back to love quite often throughout a lifetime.
When the race yet to be run is expected to be full of so many challenges, it is important to go back (in heart and soul) to that little detail back in the past that made you fall in love with this amazing instrument for the firs time. That moment is yours and you can come back to it whenever you feel like frustration is overtaking you…
Since we spend a lot of time together, my violin and I constantly argue but I always go back to it or it comes back to me, I lost track of this complicated relationship by now; anyway, we are inseparable.
After having learned these five fundamental facts to plan your journey to learn to play the violin, you must be aware that you are about to take a long and difficult road, but I reassure that it is worth every step of the way and that you will greatly enjoy it. My violin has helped me learn from life and has deeply influenced me in all aspects.
Don’t thing about it anymore and start playing the violin no! It is well said that the best things in life come with effort, perseverance and patience and this is the perfect example of that.
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