Reflections on Three Months as a Violin Beginner

First, let me say that these are just my personal “subjective thoughts” and may not be entirely correct.

I’ve talked to many people, and there are various approaches and opinions.

“The most important thing is to find the path that suits you best.”

Note: The amounts mentioned in the article are calculated in New Taiwan Dollars (NTD)

1. Don’t Buy an Expensive Violin at the Beginning

This is just my personal opinion.
(Of course, if your financial situation allows, you can buy as high-end as you want.)

For those with an average budget, violins generally cost around $4,000, $6,000, or $10,000.
(For children, it’s typically around $6,000.)
String replacements cost around $1,000 to $2,000 each time.
Don’t forget there are also lesson fees and maintenance costs.

After practicing for a year or two, if you’re still committed, then consider upgrading based on your own conditions.

When I talked to a master, he mentioned it’s not that kids can’t use good violins. The worry is that with their high energy, they might accidentally drop and damage the violin (cue the teacher and parents screaming XD).

2. Beware of Scams

I only discovered through a conversation one day that some people have even gone to court because they were sold violins at ten times their actual price. This left me stunned.

Even highly professional violinists and luthiers can sometimes be deceived because certificates and details about the violin’s age and maker can be faked. By the way, those five-star reviews online aren’t always trustworthy.

I suggest taking someone you trust to check out the violin in person, play it to see if you like the sound, and ensure the instrument suits your body type and height.

Additionally, check the varnish and surface for any issues (like how my violin was checked by a music professor since I couldn’t spot these issues myself).

That’s why I recommend not buying a very expensive violin at the beginning.

When I bought my violin, I decided it would be the one I use for life. I have regretted it a few times, but I believe, “Everything happens for a reason; spending money is part of the learning experience.”

I am still grateful for all the beautiful moments this violin has brought me.

Self-Study vs. Taking Lessons

Many people try to teach themselves the violin, especially with the abundance of resources available online.

However, how far you can progress depends on your personal insight and understanding.

I personally feel that taking lessons for about six months is crucial to focus on getting the basics right — posture, bow hold, scales, etc.

Initially, you might want to take two lessons a week, then reduce it to one lesson per week.

Having a teacher helps you identify and correct mistakes. I started recording myself, listening to the playback, and practicing repeatedly.

But it’s also important to keep the joy of music alive. Maintaining that initial excitement for music is what keeps you going.

Choosing the Right Teacher

When it comes to finding a teacher, I recommend starting with a trial lesson (around $800).

This allows you to see if their teaching style suits you.

Some teachers follow a traditional music school approach: the first three lessons focus on basic posture and open strings, followed by some simple pieces. This approach left me feeling quite frustrated.

Later, I found a teacher who, in addition to proper posture and basic music theory (major and minor scales), used stickers for scales, taught basic melodies and rhythms, provided digital and audio files for practice, assigned homework, and focused on my weak points for repeated practice.

I’ve heard from others that if a teacher feels they can’t help a student progress, they will recommend another teacher or suggest the student find a new one. It’s not a matter of the teacher or student being at fault; sometimes, they just aren’t a good fit.

In my experience, if a teacher isn’t right for you, you’ll spend a month just on open strings. With the right teacher, you’ll build a solid foundation in just one lesson.

So, don’t rely solely on reviews or others’ opinions. It’s crucial to have a trial lesson and interact with the teacher one-on-one.

(Some teachers don’t offer trial lessons and require booking four lessons at a time.)

Considering Practicalities

Distance and travel time are also important factors.

I once considered taking lessons from a fantastic female teacher, but each trip took me half an hour, which was too much for me.

I almost gave up on the violin altogether because of this. But one day, while buying bread, I came across my current school. After a brief chat and a trial lesson, I decided to continue my lessons there.

Now, my lessons are just five or ten minutes away from my home.

So, finding the right teacher involves considering many factors.

Study Materials

Start with the Suzuki method in A major, working on the pieces in the book. (Suzuki books aren’t available in Taiwan, so you’ll need to order them from abroad.) However, you might hit a point where the pieces become too challenging.

The Shinozaki method, on the other hand, begins in C major and provides a more step-by-step approach, which feels more solid and gradual.

The initial scale positions in these two books are different.

In the end, I recommend practicing with both books.

Practice

At home, you can use a mute to practice (to be considerate of your neighbors). If your home has poor soundproofing, consider renting practice space at a music store or music school (around $50 to $100 per hour).

Try not to practice outdoors. Violins are sensitive to sunlight, rain, and humidity, and your skin might develop dark spots from sun exposure.

(I used to practice outside, thinking it would be better for my neighbors, but I ended up with skin issues and learned that violins shouldn’t be exposed to outdoor elements. Now I practice indoors with the windows and doors closed and try to finish by 7 or 8 PM to avoid disturbing others.)

No matter what, practicing for 30 minutes to two hours each day is sufficient. The key is to “play every day.”

It’s better to play for 30 minutes every day than to practice for five hours once a week.
(This is just my personal opinion.)

I’ve talked to some musicians who started by practicing intensely for five to eight hours a day but eventually settled into a routine of daily practice to maintain their feel for the instrument.

Side Note

I once practiced for five hours straight and ended up with painful hands at night.

I also worried about driving my neighbors crazy with too much practice (lol).

Basic Maintenance Knowledge

When I read about violin care, I was shocked to learn that some people actually clean their violins with water. That’s a big no-no!

After each practice session, just wipe the fingerboard and the area where rosin dust accumulates with a soft cloth (I use an eyeglass cloth).

Never use rice to clean the inside of the violin XD.

After playing, it’s recommended to loosen the bow to prevent it from staying taut all the time (I often forget this step …….).

Humidity

Using desiccants or dehumidifiers in the violin case isn’t recommended because they can create uneven humidity levels.

Taiwan’s climate is very humid, and most violin problems here are related to moisture. Interestingly, some people also say Taiwan can be too dry, which can cause the wood to crack.

Regardless, violins are very sensitive instruments, so it’s best not to take them outside.

Storage

I’ve been advised not to keep the violin in its case all the time but to take it out and put it on a stand (I keep mine on a stand in my room). I place some desiccants near the room’s entrance (next to the bathroom).

For more comprehensive care, use a large dehumidifier or a special dehumidifying cabinet designed for violins to maintain consistent humidity.

Violin Case

Blow out the violin case with a hairdryer once every week or two.

Strings

Replace the strings every six months to a year. Start with the cheapest ones (around $1,000 to $2,000). For competitions or performances, you’ll need higher-quality strings.

I wanted to learn how to change strings myself because it seemed fun, but be careful not to break them while tuning (I once lost $250 that way, ouch!).

Varnish

For varnish maintenance, find a trusted luthier who can inspect the violin and give you a price quote for the service.

Bridge

The bridge might need adjustment every six months to a year (it can slowly tilt over time).

I’m not confident enough to do this myself, so I would seek help from someone I trust.

Conclusion

There are many books and channels available for self-study, but nothing beats having someone to ask questions, demonstrate techniques, and correct your mistakes on the spot.

Maybe I’m just a slow learner XD.

For now, I plan to continue taking lessons with my current teacher for six months to build a solid foundation. After that, I might switch to self-study or continue with lessons, depending on the situation.

I no longer have the same passion for music as when I started and have thought about quitting several times. But I keep going because I don’t want to leave my violin lying unused in its case.

Even though my violin isn’t top-notch, it’s my cherished treasure. I look at it every morning, haha XD.

I hope my thoughts can be helpful to those interested in the violin. These are just my personal opinions.

Finally, I wish everyone the joy of exploring the wonderful world of music and swimming in the sea of notes.