How should I start learning to play a violin?

Hi Sean. You've received a lot of good advice so I won't repeat all that. But reading your comments and your question about the piano I kind of get the feeling you're setting yourself up for disappointment. The piano and violin - any of the classical orchestral instruments really - are instruments that take a lot of dedicated effort, time, and money to play well. Especially with the violin, free video lessons are right out.

I don't want to discourage you from learning an instrument and enjoying music, but maybe something from the huge family of folk instruments might suit you better. There ARE instruments that you can learn well and enjoy for a lifetime that don't cost a fortune and can be self-taught. Have you thought about the guitar or ukulele? They are very popular. There's a bunch of folk flutes that can be a blast like the tin whistle or pan pipes. Zithers like the psaltery and dulcimer are really fun to play. Folk instruments are good because they're easy to get started on but can still offer a lifetime of challenge.

I'm just making a suggestion. The folk instruments are great for those who don't have a lot of time and money to dedicate and who don't want to spend years in lessons.

Of u want to start playing violin I suggest u contact this lovely lady

Lindsay Irik she is head of strings at Knox Grammar School and does outside teaching

how old are you? because if you're a teen maybe above 15 it will be quite painful for your hands because they would be stiff compared to a child when playing the violin. take it from me, ive been playing the violin for 9 years now and i have many friends who picked it up later and quit a few months down the road. my advise is get a cheaper violin unless you are fully dedicated and you wont be quieting any time soon. But even so i would advise you take it easy and see how it goes

What significant amount of money.

You can sign up for a month of lessons and rent a violin.

Ideally, rent a decent beginner violin, find a beginner class, and spend a few months seeing how you like it. You may decide it's not your thing, or you may decide you like it enough to put more money into it.

What kind of violin do you want to learn to play (violin, viola, etc), which kind of music do you want to play on it (classical, bluegrass, jazz, contemporary, etc), and how much time and energy do you want to put into learning to be good or even acceptably good?

Lots of things in my previous answer to your about learning to play piano would apply to learning to play a violin too.

I agree with almost everything you said mrs.Courtney, but i disagree only in one point.

I think you shoundn't watch performances of professionals, if you trust on your teacher and in yourself you have everything you will ever need to be the best. Professionals have a one and distinctive way of playing, if you commit yourself to play like them you will do exactly that, play like them, so we would never know how you would play. You are no longer original, but just a copy of another. Forget that, find the best teacher you can find , practice a bit, and be yourself, if you do so, you will be the best violinist of the world without doubt.

beginner tutorials