They say it's never to late to learn something new. So in lieu of my upcoming Birthday, I decided to give it a go. When I was 9 or so, I heard in school that they were having music class and were teaching instruments. Even back then I liked the sound of the violin. My parents wanted to get me started with it since I was interested. During the assembly they demonstrated a number of instruments, which all sounded good, but I liked the violin the best. I knew the trombone was too big, and I wasn't very interested in too many brass or wind instruments. So that weekend my parents took me to a music store to pick out a violin. I saw a few and made my choice, and I was excited to see it. Right away the salesman popped my bubble by handing it to me and told me to hold it like I was playing it. To our surprise, my hand didn't stretch out far enough to even touch the nut, let alone the tuning pegs.
Back then, there was only 1 size, 4/4, and it was too big for me. These days you can get them in nearly a dozen different sizes from toddler size on up. Long story short, I was too small to play it. I was sad, because the salesman was right. So we got back in the car and went home. Over the years I became interested in other things, but I still liked the sound of violin playing. I didn't get into much music back then except for choir for a year or two, so I never learned music theory or anything related. I did basically teach myself to play guitar, so I still don't know notes, chords, or music theory. I have gotten proficient in playing electric guitar, although I had a 20+ year gap in playing. I picked it back up pretty easy, so I figured it would be a good time to learn violin too. I compose quite a bit of music in classical, and I would so enjoy playing some of the violin parts in my compositions. I tried my best to compose a violin piece called Crimson Rose, and I'd like to learn that. Right now, it is a Virtual Instrument (VST) I use in my Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).
And here we are, now 50 years later, and I decided to shop for a violin. I ended up getting a Cecilio 'Silent' violin. It's an electric violin without the resonator F holes like the classic instrument. It's similar to this one, and cost about $150.
Today, it arrived at my doorstep. I couldn't wait to open it up and check it out. Upon first inspection, everything seemed to be in order. It came with rosin, case, and a bow. I read in the reviews that the bow was pretty cheap, so I decided to also order an additional bow and another block of rosin. I'm using light rosin now, until I get used to things. After more consideration, I decided to include a digital tuner, and an extra set of strings, just in case. The strings I got are for a 1/4 violin. I didn't check the options, but I figured it was obvious. So I will probably just give those strings to a school for a student that may need them. I ordered another set of 4/4 strings (D'Addario Prelude M) as well as a music stand, and a shoulder rest. Those items will be here in a week or so.
Once I got settled in, I did my first attempt on tuning it. It took some getting used to, and with the help of the tuner, it's all tuned up. Next was the bow. I learned that the first bow treatment took quite a bit of rosin rubbing after I scoured the surface with scissor tips. After 10 minutes or so of running the bow over the rosin, I got what I think is the correct traction on it. I learned about proper bow tension and grip, so now I'm about to try it for the first time. After a bit of extra rosin scouring, I managed to get a proper string sound. So from here, I just need to get used to the bow angles and keeping it between the fingerboard and the bridge. I will spend the next few days just acclimating myself to the playing mechanics. I ordered a couple of Beginner books mostly for the notation and such, and I will master Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in no time 😁 . I don't know if I will videotape my progress at this point. I'll have to think about it. After all, I already know it will be terrible and noisy.
In the aftermath of figuring out how things are supposed to work, I now have tiny rosin flakes on my desk, and probably in my keyboard. That's called bragging rights 😇 But I did remember to take the tension off the 2 bows before I put them in the case. So, after I get past the cringeworthy total beginner stuff, I may record a bit just so I can have a timeline. No matter your age or condition, there is always time and opportunity for new things if you desire them enough.
And there you have it. The beginnings of my Violin Blog. I may not get much playtime this week, as my left wrist (in the Carpal area) is pretty sore from practicing guitar, so I need to rest it a bit, but I can still do bow practice.
1 hour later: I am still learning how much rosin I need to make string strokes sound decent, but I have managed to get Mary Had a Little Lamb down on all 4 strings. The elementary stuff, not the arpeggiated stuff. I'm used to playing a guitar where there are frets, so I know where the notes are. Learning fretless will be fun and challenging at the same time, but I'm up for it. I ordered a fingerboard note guide, but it isn't here yet, so I'm making due.
9/14/21: After repeated trips back to the rosin on this particular bow, I decided to try the cheaper one that came with the violin. Upon my surprise, the cheaper one sounded and responded better, only just after a light brushing on the rosin. I am waiting on the shoulder rest since it doesn't feel very comfortable by itself, as it rests on my collar bone now. I am still just starting out and I have a LOT to learn, but it seems like fun. I did turn it over to a cello type position and discovered I like playing that way too. I already have good vibrato that way, but it isn't proper, so I'll have to learn the traditional way. I get vibrato on my guitar by bending the string, and I have to untrain myself of that method on violin, as the strings are not designed to be bent. I will fit it into my schedule. On a side note, the fingerboard guide showed up today, and I put it onto the fingerboard. Until I get used to where the notes are, I have to keep pulling it away to look at it.
9/15/21: Spending an hour or so a day getting used to the mechanics and dynamics of the instrument. I think I have the bow settings all figured out now, as well as the rosin basics. I may move on to a Medium rosin, as I think I need a little more 'stick' with my bow. The shoulder and elbow mechanics will take some getting used to so I'm slowly learning this while I wait for the shoulder rest to arrive. I won't put any time into learning the vibrato until the rest is here, as it's pretty uncomfortable resting on my collar bone. The brass from the chin piece sits right on the bone, so I'm biding my time. The fingering is more challenging due to the fingerboard size and no frets. I can pretty much work the fingerboard, but synchronizing with the bow is a bit more tricky. For now I will keep practicing the 5 note scale on each string. I won't be playing Carnegie any time soon, so I have time.
9/22/21: As of late, I haven't spent much time on it as I'm still waiting for the shoulder rest to arrive. The one I ordered was mailed out well over a week ago and still hasn't showed up. I did receive my D'Addario strings today, which is a plus. I'll continue using the factory strings as they will be sufficient during my learning curve.
10/9/21: The shoulder rest arrived just over a week ago and it makes things so much better. I have been putting in time practicing, and I've gone from terrible to bad, but I have to start somewhere. Getting used to the bow is an art all in itself. While there are only 4 strings, there are 7 different bow angles that I will need to develop muscle memory for. My shoulders also have to get used to being extended in the typical playing position. So far, the A and E strings are the hardest to play individually, and this will take some time and practice. I'm still trying to keep smooth bow strokes and trying not to bounce the bow. Vibrato is still a daunting task. I still have to develop that muscle reflex. I can do guitar vibrato pretty well. I also stood my violin on it's end and tried the Cello type vibrato, and I can do that too, but violin vibrato is a refined art.
11/4/21: I haven't had much time for practice, but I still try to run a few simple songs through my head. Since I don't know how to read music, I take some time to try to familiarize myself with the structure. I'm also getting used to the tuning. It's a bit different from a typical guitar tuning, so keeping violin notes separate from guitar notes is a bit of a challenge, but I like a challenge.
11/18/21: I haven't picked my violin up in a while, as I've been rather busy creating new music and practicing guitar. I still want to learn it, but I haven't had the time or motivation lately to uncase it. I will persevere though :)
12/15/21: I've practiced for a while on it, and still have no grasp on the vibrato, but I'm still getting used to the tuning, as it is different than guitar, and I keep hitting the wrong notes. But practice is practice. I'll keep going, because it has always been a part of me since childhood.
1/7/25: It has been a few years, and I have not picked up the violin. My motor skills are not improving much and I don't expect any miracles. After a few different types of strokes, a broken shoulder that is still not at 100%, and neurological issues, I have accepted what is to be. Most of the time, I even have trouble typing, as far as hitting the keys I meant to hit. I often hit 2 or 3 keys simultaneously. These issues, I expect, will only get worse. It's not like I'm 20 again, and everything will heal :)
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