I’m trying to perfect Suzuki 2 songs thinking it’ll be easy and it’s not. I’ve been rushing forward so fast. Part of it is that my first classical teacher made me play for her and assigned me book 3 on our first lesson and it’s been one year now. So I instantly got started off the wrong foot. I’m sorry for being so stubborn and not listening. I want to be the best violinist I can be and I know getting through Suzuki 2 is what will motivate me to not throw my violin in the trash.

It just feels like a hard pill to swallow that there are 6 year olds playing this stuff. It’s a real lesson in tempering your ego, haha. I desperately wished I played as a kid for real; I don’t think advanced violinists understand just HOW HARD being a beginner at violin is.

Edit: when I say advanced violinists I mean the violinists would’ve been playing since 3. I feel like they probably can’t remember the beginner stages.

I took some advice from the last video and I hope it stuck. especially tried to make it sound brighter and less flat.

I also noticed my tone sounds the best when I play as gently as I can, barely digging into the strings (except for when I’m trying to practice dynamics).

This is a surprisingly fun song, I’m kind of worried about Gavotte from Mignon though.

I also still hit other strings and it’s frustrating. I recorded a take better than this where I swear I hit no other strings and I was so happy. Then I realized it wasn’t recording at all, lol.

I also think I blinked in this one…can you catch it? Haha.

Hi All,

So here are my goals. I'd like to learn the violin and play folk tunes and maybe another type of genre here or there. I want to play well enough that people aren't covering their ears when I play.

I can set aside 30 min 4x a week to practice.

But I know the violin is one of the hardest insturments to learn. As an adult with the above goals in mind and the practice availablity, is it worth the investment?

\Hi all, I've noticed that I'm grinding my teeth as I've been practicing violin. I did some research, and it seems like it's prevalent amongst violinist, so I was wondering what you all do about this.

1. What have you tried so far (night guard, Botox, meds, apps, anything else)? What worked and what didn't? If you've stopped wearing a night guard, why?
2. Roughly how much have you spent on grinding over the years, like night guards and dental work?

Thank you!

I played violin from 4th-8th grade in the school orchestra with private lessons only for the last year. I never played again after starting high school.

Now I'm in my late 30s and I play some guitar and dabble in banjo and ukulele for fun. Recently I bought an old violin for a song and got it fixed up at a local luthier. I'm wondering what advice the collective might have for me as a returning adult. I have much more understanding of theory now than I did as a kid and my ear is better too, but my technique is obviously extremely rusty. Lessons aren't in the cards right now, are there etude books that would be a good fit? Suzuki maybe?

Here's where I am after a week, for context. It's not great in terms of either tone or intonation but honestly better than I expected (sorry the recording cut off halfway through but you'll get the gist): https://vocaroo.com/1aJMQDozsI6B

I truly regret losing interest in violin and neglecting it. Im 90% sure this is mould but i just want to check because the pictures online dont really resemble mine. Also its only on this part of the violin from what i can see.

Whats the best course of action? I dont know if ill ever get the motivation to play it again, but i dont want it to go down like this either. Thanks 🙏

The last year or so I've had more time and got into taking lessons again, just wanted to upload something on here again lol, feedback/advice is welcome

I'm a professional violinist and I've been curious to try these for a while now, but I've noticed that there is very little info or reviews on them (Rondo Gold), at least compared to some of the other ones like PI, Rondo and Dynamo, which I've tried before. Has anyone had any experience with these and what do you think? My violin is pretty bright and loud, if that's helpful in any way. I want to add a bit more thickness and body to the tone, and a bit of warmth, while maintining strong projection. Also curious about Perpetuals if anybody has tried those.

Anyone has any experience with these strings?

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

I’m trying to identify a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach titled Aria, arranged for string quartet. Unfortunately, I don’t know which specific aria it is.
I’ve attached a picture of the sheet music. Could anyone help me identify the exact piece and its original work or catalogue number (BWV)?
Thank you!

Hi!

I recently noticed that my violin bridge was kinda bent, I had not paid any notice to how the bridge should look before so I don't know when that happened😅 After some searching on the internet I realized that the bridges feet had been pushed back some mms which led to the wind look.

Today I tried to push it back straight and into position by slightly loosening the strings and applying even pressure etc. And it looks better (see pictrues) but still a bit bent as it won't really become entirely straight without me applying pressure at the right points. See also slight gaps by the feet towards the fingerboard, last picture.

How much does this matter? Does this need urgent fixing at a luthier? I'm just a hobbyist that plays in orchestras now and then, nothing serious. But that doesn't mean I want to mistreat my violin🥺

-concerned violinist

When i try to play this part , on g string , the sound is not good like other 3 strings !

I'm a 24-year-old guy, currently unemployed, and music is something I genuinely want to build my life around.

I'm approaching violin seriously, and I'm now in my third year of studying it, with around four years left in my studies. I have time to practice, and I want to use that time properly instead of wasting it.

I'm also interested in beatmaking, hip-hop, and combining violin with beats to develop my own sound. I don't necessarily expect to become famous, but I'd like to know whether I can build something meaningful from these skills, potentially earn money from music, and create opportunities for myself.

My question is for people who have experience with music, whether professionally or as a serious hobby:

• If you were in my position at 24, how would you approach the next four years?
• What realistic opportunities could I work toward with violin, beatmaking, recording content, or performing?
• Is it possible to build a sustainable career this way, or would it be wiser to keep music as a hobby while pursuing another source of income?
• What would you focus on now if you had time to practice but no income yet?

I'm not looking for promises or motivational quotes. I'd appreciate honest advice from people who have actually pursued music, including what you wish you'd known earlier.

Please help! I'm really scared if I'm being completely honest. In gym class today we had to do weight training and coming home to practice, I cannot play because every time I press down on a note my forearm hurts so so much. I cannot see how I'll be able to practice for the concert, or even, play. I don't know if I'll be able to be excused, since its an exhibition concert for scholarship holders. Any advice to fix my arm asap? Thank you so much

Anyone tried them? They look interesting. Curious your thoughts.

And curious your comparison to Neo, or other higher end strings from other makers.

I’m having trouble with the three note chord circled in red. My ring finger (3rd finger) keeps accidentally touching the E string.
Does anyone have any tips or exercises to fix this? Thanks!

I’m starting my journey with learning every Suzuki 2 song with better intonation before moving on now. Here is my first day practicing this song, it’s my second or third take. Let me know what you think! I tried to be careful with intonation so I hope I succeeded.

I haven’t had a teacher for a month now and I feel like I’m regressing.

I joined a beginner strings ensemble for adults and am wondering how to manage my time practicing. I already have to force myself to stop working on exercises to practice my solo piece/etude for lessons. I love exercises. Now w material from the strings ensemble I'm unsure how to split up my time. I'm constantly wondering how much time I ought to spend on ensemble pieces. My lessons take priority but ensemble is with other people and for an eventual performance.

I usually practice 60 - 90 mins on Tues - Thurs and 2 - 3 hours on Sat and Sun. Lessons Monday and Ensemble Friday so little to no practicing those days.

I know I’m trying to play music that’s too advanced and I realize that now, because no amount of good recording satisfies me and I want to throw my violin in the bin. So I’m going to make a concentrated effort to learn all the songs in Suzuki 2 before progressing, and my weekly fiddle lessons should be simpler (but he wants to teach me shifting right away.)

This was my last attempt at the Seitz 5 opening and I don’t think I did a bad job but correct me if I’m wrong.

I’m realizing it’s just the journey not the destination now, and that my frustration and desire to quit comes from tackling pieces above my level. My ear has improved drastically and I find myself restarting songs over and over again because I hear intonation mistakes immediately, and my bow is shaking a lot.

I also didn’t take the orchestra position since it would’ve been too hard for me, but I just joined a string ensemble and they’re aware of my level. It’s a much more low pressure way of playing music with others and socializing, which I desperately need. We meet every Wednesday for rehearsal and have a concert every two months. I’m stoked.

I really need to learn how to relax during long performances, specifically, operas.

I'm doing my third one right now and it is absolutely brutal sitting there being super focused on the conductor and playing.

Some of the more experienced professionals don't seem to be as sore. They also seem to be able to sit back in their chairs and be more relaxed.

Any suggestions?

I have a Yamaha SV120 so it has the integrated shoulder rest. I'm looking for a case that it will fit in, but I'm not really sure how to search for it because of the depth that's necessary. Can anyone point me to any specific search terms or known cases? Thank you!

Is my violin ok ?

my uncle passed away about a year ago and I have 3 or 4 of his violins in their cases.. he had tons of instruments. good condition but bows need to be rehaired…. i think that’s the term. they’ve been sitting in a closet untouched and i would like to get rid of them in bulk. does anyone have any advice on where i can take them to get a fair price for them? I’m moving and have to downsize i simply cannot keep them.

Christmas is quickly approaching and I need something to play for! I love filling my schedule with Christmas gigs around the holidays, but haven’t been able to find any since moving to New York. Does anyone know of any orchestral Christmas productions/concerts that need a violinist? I’m even willing to play for a church program like the Messiah or something. I could play for free! If anyone can provide any advice or help, I’d appreciate it!