Tips on Learning to Play Violin at Home for Beginners

The violin is the sweetest sounding musical instrument among all the instruments in existence. Choosing to play the violin as your instrument is the best choice and learning it could be simple for beginners. All it takes is by following the three steps:

1. Develop self-confidence.

Many people who attempt in learning something new usually fail when they first start to think of the venture as a difficult one. When this comes to mind, this set-up makes learning it an unsuccessful one. It is thus important to have the self-confidence that will be your drive in learning to play the violin. Listening to music is an entirely different manner from leaning to play it by yourself.

Everyone always starts from a simple basic step. You should not think of yourself as inadequate in learning the violin as anyone can learn with the right mix of dedication, practice, and correct instruction. Do not forget to include the magic formula of self-confidence.

2. Set A Daily Practice Schedule

There is this adage that says, "Correct practice makes perfect." Learning to play the violin involves having a daily schedule of practice. One should have at least an hour of practicing the violin. Great violinists always testify that they reached their level of perfection because of the daily schedule of practice. Most people nowadays believe they do not have enough time on their hands but there are different ways of achieving this goal:

* Whenever you have vacant time, you can always practice while waiting.

* Imagine the piece that you have to learn at home. Visualize the notes that you have to play and the rhythm that goes with it.

* You can have online lessons which can make you choose your own practice time.

Stick with the schedule and you will realize that you have mastered a piece within a certain amount of time.

3. Choose the right violin teacher.

There are many online lessons that one can find on the web. If you live currently in Iloilo, Philippines, a quality violin teacher is available for violin lessons at affordable rates.

How to Play Violin Duet Music

Learning the violin might seem to be a daunting task for children who aspire to be good violinists.  It takes practice and dedication to play alone but requires teamwork and cooperation in playing violin duet music.  In as much as it takes ample time to practice and improve the techniques in playing the violin, there are simple ways in learning how to play violin duet music. 

First, imagine that each violin is a part of a greater group.  Duets occur when one plays a melody and the other one plays the harmony or the rhythm .  There are even instances when both are playing melodies which mean that the other one plays a counter melody.  

Second, players should understand that the melody should be played clearly and with intensity while the harmony should  serve as a support and not overshadow the melody.  

Third, performing with others require that you have to be conscious of your rhythm and intonation with that of your partner. Practicing alone requires that fingering technique should be refined, but practicing with another requires more than that.  

If you want to learn proper violin technique for violin duet music, you can read more about online tips on this site.  You can also get cheap but quality violin lessons  by a violin teacher.

Here is a sample video clip of Cousins Cipher Altura and Hannelee Altura Narvaez playing violin duet.

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How to Choose A Musical Instrument

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You might have decided to learn a musical instrument.  It might also be possible that you would like to pick one for your child.  With all the types of musical instruments like the piano, strings, woodwinds, strings, and percussion, you might find it overwhelming to choose one for either your or your child.  So what are the steps in choosing your first musical instrument?

Familiarize yourself with the different kinds of musical instruments.

Research is always the key to familiarizing yourself with the different kinds of musical instruments.  You have to determine which instrument is the most likely for you.  There are some who are more fit to be a woodwind player or a brass player.  This depends on the embouchure of the person’s lips.  Some are more inclined to be a string player.  Some are better to be playing the piano, while some are better off with percussion.  You have to visit a music store to determine the sounds each of these make or you can even surf online for their sounds.  There are some schools that have small ensembles. 

Try some musical instruments. 

After doing some research and have been familiar with the different sounds that each instrument make, you can try some musical instruments.  You can ask friends or some people you know that play instruments if you can try them out.  However, it might not be hygienic to have the other person’s mouthpiece. At least, you will be able to touch and hold the instrument.  Your school might have a band.  You can let your child visit there and the band teacher might let your child try some models there. 

It is important to consider your physical capabilities.  It is not a good choice to decide on a learning a trombone if you do not have long arms.  Some people are not fit to play brass instruments as they have braces on their teeth.  Stringed instruments have sizes that may fit a child.  Violins have a full size, half size, quarter size, and eighth size.  So it is quite possible to have your child play a violin as this kind of stringed instrument has different sizes.

 

Choose an instrument based on temperament. 

They say that instruments say something about a person.  Shy people are most likely not going to choose the tuba as this is a loud brass instrument.  Tough guys would refuse to learn the flute as they would think of this as “feminine” instrument.  Piano students should be good in independent study as the instrument requires it to be treated with such.  Choosing the percussion or a loud brass instrument in a crowded neighborhood might make your neighbors feel resentment with your daily practice. 

Consider the amount of investment you will make.

Musical instruments need to be maintained.  Strings are required for violins, violas, cellos, or even big basses.  Reeds for the oboe, clarinet, and bassoon might be expensive.  Pianos need to be tuned regularly.  These are some factors that you have to consider in choosing a musical instrument. 

Following these steps will ensure that you choose a musical instrument that fits you or your child. 

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Why Children Should Learn Music

Music is considered to be the queen of the arts. It also serves to be a means of self-expression to the performer. The following are the top reasons why children should learn music:


1. Music improves verbal intelligence. The York University had a new study that showed the dramatic benefits of music-based cognitive training that included improved verbal intelligence (Hughes, 2011).


2. Students who learn music do better in school. The Journal Social Science Quarterly (2009) has a study that shows that children who undertake music lessons in and out of school has a positive effect on their achievements in reading and mathematics in early childhood and adolescence (Southgate et. al, 2009).


3. Music assists motor development. Learning musical instruments develops motor skills that include hand, eyes, and body coordination.


4. Music promotes cooperation. Children who learn music participate in group orchestras and different ensembles. Working together with others instills discipline in aiming towards a common aim.


5. Music improves memory. The Chinese University of Hong Kong had a study that showed that children who engage in musical training perform better in in word recall compared to those who did not participate in musical training (Lavelle, 2003).


6. Music improves test scores. Dr. James Catterall (1997) of the University of California showed in a ten-year study showed that children who learned music had improved in standardized tests and in reading proficiency exams.


7. Music reduces aggression and improves self-esteem. A study by Choi, Soo Lee, and Sook-Lee(2010) in Group Music Intervention Reduces Aggression and Improves Self-Esteem in Children with Highly Aggressive Behavior: A Pilot Controlled Trial showed that group music has a positive effect in reducing aggression and improving the self-esteem of the participant.


References:


Catterall, J. (1997). Ten Year Study Shows Music Improves Test Scores. Retrieved from http://www.orangeparkschoolofmusic.com/TEN-YEAR-STUDY-SHOWS-MUSIC-IMPROVES-TEST-SCORES.html


Choi, A., Soo Lee, M., and Sook Lee, J. (2010). Group Music Intervention Reduces Aggression and Improves Self-Esteem in Children with Highly-Aggressive Behavior: A Pilot Controlled Trial. Retrieved from http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2010/465730/abs/


Hughes, M. (2011). Music-Based Training Improves Preschoolers’ Verbal IQ: York U Study. Retrieved from http://news.yorku.ca/2011/10/04/music-based-training-improves-preschoolers-verbal-iq-york-u-study/


Lavelle, P. (2003). Music improves language and Memory. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2003/07/29/911523.htm
Southgate et al. The Impact of Music on Childhood and Adolescent Achievement. Social Science Quarterly, 2009; 90 (1): 4 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2009.00598. Google