6Sep/1116
how old is too old to start learning how to play the violin?
a lady asked:
i'm 22 and want to start learning.... i used to know how to read music (played piano when i was little) and i think i can refresh my memory but i'm guessing its not the same with the violin..... i always wanted to play but i couldn;t afford the classes and didn't have time until now........ but at my age is it worth it??? some people tell me that it is nearly impossible and it isn't worth it because it will take me years to learn what a child can do in two,,,,,,,,,,, what do you all think??
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i'm 22 and want to start learning.... i used to know how to read music (played piano when i was little) and i think i can refresh my memory but i'm guessing its not the same with the violin..... i always wanted to play but i couldn;t afford the classes and didn't have time until now........ but at my age is it worth it??? some people tell me that it is nearly impossible and it isn't worth it because it will take me years to learn what a child can do in two,,,,,,,,,,, what do you all think??
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June 29th, 2009 - 20:42
Kansieo.com
110yrs.
July 3rd, 2009 - 06:26
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You are young! Any age is a good age to beging studying the violin (or any instrument, for that matter). I recommend you study with a violin teacher, as this will help you progress much faster than you would on your own. This is an instrument you can enjoy all of your life, as I have. It has taken me places I didn’t expect to go to.
Best wishes.
July 5th, 2009 - 01:45
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I think it is never too old look for an adult class you will luv it i started at age 9 it is really fun
July 7th, 2009 - 06:19
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it’s never too old
July 9th, 2009 - 08:25
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Having an appreciation for music really helps, If it is something that you are passionate about doing then give it a go you will never know if you don’t give it a go…..
July 12th, 2009 - 16:27
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Sorry, no real upward age limit. You have to have a certain amount of dexterity and a fair amount of self discipline, but age has less to do with that than you might think. Violin is a lifetime occupation, so you are going to take years to learn it at any age you start. You’ve got plenty of time, and the physiological benefits of playing an instrument are just too important to ignore. If you have any questions or need some further support, feel free to contact me.
July 14th, 2009 - 08:48
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Death bed.
You’re very young, though! Of course it’s worth it! My friend enrolled in Beginning Orchestra (where you need NO experiance) and she plays quite well now. One more year and she’s GOOD TO GO! =)
July 15th, 2009 - 03:45
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It is never too old to play an instrument. The violin is just considered the most difficult instrument to master, but it`s not impossible. And who says you have to master it? You could just play for pleasure and not make it into a career. You dont have to be the next Itzhak Perlman to make it as a professional violinist. Most people think of professional musicians as the ones who are center stage doing a solo in 7th position for 10 minutes straight. You do not HAVE to be a musical prodigy or the concertmaster in order to be considered professional. Heck, you dont even have to be a 1st violinist (though I do like playing the melody lol). I bet if you worked hard at it, I mean really hard, than you would earn yourself a spot in the symphony. Small children may learn faster than adults, but it is NOT required for you to have started playing when you were very small in order for you to make a career out of it.
The piano and the violin are both treble instruments, so you shouldnt have any trouble learning the notes.
And remember: you can do very well, but only if you tell yourself you can AND you believe it.
July 17th, 2009 - 16:42
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You are never to old to try or do something new. You can do it. I play many instruments and it was hard for me, but im sure since you can read treble cleff you can do anything you put your mind too. I wish you the best of luck!
July 20th, 2009 - 12:10
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im 49 and started the violin about two years ago – i played guitar for about ten years and (in my opinion) never really got the hang of it – but after two years with the violin im pretty good – some people are meant for some instruments – if you always had an interest then you might pick it up much easier than you think –
when i started i rented one from a place that usually rents to students – i paid 28 dollars for three months – and then i bought one – i also rented a sax for 3 months and didnt really care for the playing of it – love the instrument but i didnt like playing it (ya know?)
i now own 4 of them – and i have learned that the chinese made violins are some of the best deals on the market now – if you spend 300 to 400 one you wont be sorry – and a quality violin will really make a big difference to your learning curve
i dont know why i have a nack with the violin when the guitar (another very similar stringed instrument) always eluded me – i have a feeling that its got something to do with the different angle from which you view the fingerboard (looking down along it instead of down across it)
anyway ….. its not too late – if you want a good source for a chinese violin let me know
July 22nd, 2009 - 03:31
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Yes, you are young. If you love it or think you’ll love it, then go for it. Music skills are wonderful to have.
Get a good teacher, especially one who works with older students. Teaching methods are different. With diligence, you’ll come away being able to make good music for yourself and others. It will be so much fun! (work, work, too). And very much, worth it. And as an adult you know what you want, so you can keep your determination up, perhaps better than a very young child.
There is however a realistic view.
If you are looking to be a concert violinist, the chances are very slim of that happening, purely because of physical requirements.
Each instrument or voice, takes using certain sets of muscles in a certain way: to get the hand held in correct positions for the strings as well as the bow, for it all to be coordinated and be second nature. Just as your native language is.
For a violinist or pianist, to be “really” proficient, I’m talking about concert level, the age of three is a good place to start. One may be able to get there from age seven, but it’d be difficult.
When I started piano, I was eight. That was too late. To be a “great” artist, I need my muscles to be able to do certain things, which they can almost do, but not quite.
Had I started earlier, & with a very good teacher, I’d be able to do what’s required.
I’ve been playing piano for 50+ years. I’m told that I play extremely well. And yes, I play at a professional level, but there are some things I just can’t do.
That doesn’t stop me though from enjoying music or slow me down from playing a Chopin Etude, a Rachmaninoff Prelude, a concerto here and there, and show tunes are a breeze, but it does slow me if I try a certain piano sonata of Prokofiev, but that’d slow anybody down, since it is one of the most difficult pieces for the piano, ever written.
You have a lifetime ahead of you to learn and work at it. As an adult, you already know things of music, you too, can understand better, instructions, & follow through with motivation than, most very young children. Intellectually, you have a head start.
So, go for it–even if you are in your sixties or older!
Enjoy, enjoy the learning, the gift of music. ..it’s a wonderful thing to have and to share.
July 24th, 2009 - 04:54
Kansieo.com
No such thing as “too old”.
Just practice, practice, practice…
July 26th, 2009 - 00:03
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I think it’s not so much your age that matters, but your desire to accomplish it. My mom wanted to play piano for many years as a child, but her parents couldn’t afford either lessons or a piano. She tried a few instruments, but they didn’t work out (viola and guitar, which, oddly enough, her daughters now play, me the viola, and my sister the guitar). She finally could afford to get a piano and learn at the age of 30. She’s been playing for over 17 years now, and is actually going to play for a very big dinner banquet this Saturday. The violin is a great instrument, and true, it may take you a bit longer to learn it that a grade-schooler, butif you really want to, I think you can. The main thing (I think) is not to second guess your teacher, try to have the mentality of a child and not let yourself get caught up in bad habits. A child learns quicker because they retain the information. Truth be told, they often have to be corrected much more often than you’d think. They also don’t understand the value of practicing. I belive that were you to not let yourself get bogged down while still learning (it could take a year before you play anything past very elementary music) and make sure to practice every single day (no execptions!), you wouldn’t have any problem. Good luck!
July 27th, 2009 - 07:48
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i started learning the violin when i was in 7th grade (so maybe about 13?). anyways, i doubt there’s any age limit in learning an instrument, whether it’s strings or woodwinds. since you have had a history with note reading, you only need to refresh your memory until you can play like a pro. the only thing you have to really have is the self-discipline and the patience to really be good in playing the violin, or any instrument.
for example, when i was two, i learned how to play the piano. after 2-3 years i quit. eventually, i began wanting to play again, so after maybe 6-7 years, i took piano lessons again. i had a hard time with patience and self-discipline, but it finally got easier and easier.
don’t listen to anyone who tells you it’s impossible and that it’s not worth it. anyone can de whatever they set their mind to do. for example, my old teacher who had a 22 year old kid who has never played a stringed before then. the problem was, he needed to play an instrument (he was a music major), so he learned how to play the bass. and he’s quite good at it!
there you go. true story…..i bet a million bucks you’ll be awesome at the violin in no time at all!
just remember: BE PATIENT AND HAVE SELF-DISCIPLINE!!!
July 27th, 2009 - 14:26
Kansieo.com
As long as you can hold your right arm up to bow and your left to finger the notes, you could learn, and unless your a prodigy your not going to be playing in the orchestra, so learn for your own pleasure, you can learn anything at any age that you want to, all you need is the desire. I read I think it was in readers digest, the June addition about a women who just got her degree and she’s in her ninety’s. If you really have the desire go for it. I play classical guitar and have wanted to play the violin for years and one of these days I’m going to get one, I don’t care how old I am !!!!!!!
July 27th, 2009 - 17:22
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I’ve played violin for a long time, and although I think it’s easier to start when you’re very young, I know of a lot of people who have learned to play at a variety of ages….go for it! You’ll be able to read music again in no time–it’s like riding a bike!
It’s TOTALLY worth it!! Violin is the best! It’s definitely not impossible–you can do it easily.