NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm thinking of taking up an instrument, I'm wondering if any NSers know much about the violin.

(I have no pretense of natural ability or hope of becoming a professional, this would be for personal amusement and generally withheld from innocent ears).

I've perused various FAQ's, but nothing as interactive as a real person (even if that person is sitting in nothing but bunny slippers and drinking scotch out of a Star Wars cup from a 1999 Taco Bell promotion).

So, any of you fine folks play the violin, well or otherwise?

My uni offers lessons for non-majors, but the special fees are exorbitant and its too late for this semester anyway.

For those of you who thought the question was "Who's in to violence?", that's fine for discussion, too.

Yeah, I know some people who play. Doesn't look like much fun, and it sure as hell doesn't sound pleasant until you've gotten a good bit of skill.. guitar is more fun for me, if we're talking string instruments.

Yeah, I know some people who play. Doesn't look like much fun, and it sure as hell doesn't sound pleasant until you've gotten a good bit of skill.. guitar is more fun for me, if we're talking string instruments.

From my exploration so far, there definitely seems to be a much more common inclination for people to study the guitar.

For some reason, I find the violin more compelling (although that could quickly change, which is why I'd like to start by renting an instrument).

Of course, the ladies seem to prefer the guitar(ist)...

How often do you hear a girl say "Oh, yeah, the show was great, and at the afterparty, I nailed the violinist!"

Not violin mate. Take Daniel Powter he played violin when he was young and he got the shit beaten outta him by bullies. Then he started the piano abd from his own words the girls like it much more than the violin,
But yeah guitar or drums if u've got the talent. Guitar's easy to pick up and sounds good...

I can play the violin, but haven't done so in a very long time - I don't have anyone to play to (living on your own does that :( even if you do have friends) or play with for that matter.

In the beginning, it will sound absolutely horrible. With or without a teacher, you could probably get a hang for the basics of "how not to sound absolutely horrible" and without a teacher, you could still teach yourself a lot of the stuff that's necessary to be able to play some of the more complex songs.

The purpose of a teacher in this case would be to point out your errors and rectify them. They could also teach you new skills and important things such as: if you're going to play the violin, you'll need a nail file for at least one of your hands.


As for violence, well, I don't mind brotherly violence in which both sides agree. That's always been somewhat fun and surprisingly painless, as the goal is not so much to inflict pain on the other but rather just have fun. See Rugby.

I play the violin. :)

If you start playing, keep it in mind that you will take some time until it sounds decent. At the beginning it'll probably sound pretty horrible, but don't give up.

I know a girl that bought a violin while on holiday and cannot play it to save herself

Play the electric guitar like that guy in Yellowcard...

If you've no previous musical experience, the piano is the normal starting instrument. That said, they're damn expensive. Violins are the staple of the orchestra and are very nice if played well, but that takes a long time to learn (as does any instrument, but strings especially so).

Concerning guitars, they're the popular instrument, but frankly anyone with a bit of time can learn some simple chords and impress others, its not something that takes alot of skill. Violin takes more skill, but don't expect the same kind of impression on others when you tell them you play.

For the record, I play piano, oboe and sing.

http://www.section.at/img/smiley/geige.gif

No, not really. It's nice to have people play them right - it's a horror if your neighbor is still practising...

I used to play the violin when I was 10/11. I got quite good with tuition. For a time it sounds like a cat getting raped but soon enough (with practice) it can sound great. Unfortunatly the violin was provided free in primary school and I was too scared to ask my parents to buy me one to carry on playing in high school (damned Irish ancestry - that catholic guilt is genetic I'm sure). Take up the violin, every c*nt plays the guitar (I should know - I'm a c*nt and I do).

If you've no previous musical experience, the piano is the normal starting instrument.

The piano is a great instrument to be able to play, and you can start with the far cheaper option of buying a keyboard. That also has the added bonus of being playable with headphones, so you don't have to worry about people telling you to shut up when you're trying to learn.

Good on you for thinking about trying!! Personally, I would choose viola (playing it myself) but hey, it's a matter of opinion. I also play piano, clarinet, flute, and piano accordion. :p

YES! TAKE UP VIOLIN!!!

I play it meself. It's a no-nonsense instrument, fyi.

YES! TAKE UP VIOLIN!!!

I play it meself. It's a no-nonsense instrument, fyi.

No nonsnse? You've never had the bridge snap or lose too many horse hairs on the old bow? But I agree - play the violin.

I'm thinking of taking up an instrument, I'm wondering if any NSers know much about the violin.

(I have no pretense of natural ability or hope of becoming a professional, this would be for personal amusement and generally withheld from innocent ears).

As a reformed former violist (and violists have a worse reputation for sounding bad than beginning violinists, hence my reformed nature - for the good of man kind), a well played viola is much more soulful and human to my ears than a violin. Part of that is simply personal taste from having played the instrument, and part of that is personal taste in my prefernce of the sound of the instrument. (I have weird (?) tastes - I'd love to hear a well done piece for er hu, viola, french horn, bagpipes, shansen, shakuhachi, and mbira.

I've perused various FAQ's, but nothing as interactive as a real person (even if that person is sitting in nothing but bunny slippers and drinking scotch out of a Star Wars cup from a 1999 Taco Bell promotion).

So, any of you fine folks play the violin, well or otherwise?

My uni offers lessons for non-majors, but the special fees are exorbitant and its too late for this semester anyway.

For those of you who thought the question was "Who's in to violence?", that's fine for discussion, too.

I'll chime in on the do side, but only if you're serious enough to practice daily - a minimum of 30 minutes.

How often do you hear a girl say "Oh, yeah, the show was great, and at the afterparty, I nailed the violinist!"

You need to hang with a culturally elite sort of crowd. Either that or hang with a countrier or folkier crowd. I know violinist who score just fine. Especially as it comes scross as an intellectually elite instrument if you're doing classical.

I'll point out that ran on the edges of a "classical" music crowd for a long time, and still do a bit, as my brother is a top class classical/art musician. There are most certainly "groupies" for those types.

In elementary school I played the viola for a while, not exactly like a violin but very close, I found it to have a better sound....anyway, it was pretty easy, although I play 6 instruments, 4 of them stringed, the viola was the easiest of all the stringed instruments I have ever played.

I found it rewarding as long as it was something I wanted to do, but like most things, when people start with the "you are really good" I tend to quit, so I only played for 3 years. If you don't play an instrument, this is one I would recommend, it's beautiful and it gets a good sound, and it's probably not going to frustrate you as much as more difficult instruments would. (PS don't let anyone talk you into woodwinds, or brass, they are sucky)

(PS don't let anyone talk you into woodwinds, or brass, they are sucky)

Oi! Winds rule the orchestra I'll have you know.

take up the Fiddle and play it with a bit more of folky sound

Of course, the ladies seem to prefer the guitar(ist)...


If that's the deciding factor, you probably should become a drummer. One of the unwritten rules of being in a band is that the drummer gets the most girls.

Oi! Winds rule the orchestra I'll have you know.

Woodwinds while beautiful, take in inordinate amount of skill, it's not something you can half ass, and it's not something you steadily improve on, it's one of those "you can or you can't" things, and most people can't.

I'm thinking of taking up an instrument, I'm wondering if any NSers know much about the violin.

I never took violin. I played the Susaphone in highschool. Violin is OK as long as you use it to play Irish or American Folk music. :D

How do you get two violinists to play in tune? Shoot one of them.

Seriously, the violin probably has the greatest rewards. For a long time you play 'Twinkle Twinkle' sounding like a tom cat with it's manhood caught in a revolving door on a frosty night, but with perseverance you can get great results. Work hard and you'll be great. For instant results, play the piano, guitar, trumpet, flute or clarinet.

But what do I know. I'm only a music Post grad student who plays the trumpet (and assorted brass)

I tried violin for a while... Didn't like it that much. I ended up trying out bass (upright), and fell in love with it. Plus, there aren't many bassists around, but there are plenty of violinists. And, like my dad always says, "Sometimes it's easier to get into the Olympics as a kayaker, rather than a runner."

Wow, thanks for a lot of really great responses.

I won't reply to everybody by name, but this is the first time I've ever really read a thread on NSG and every response was worth reading...

Off to the violin outlet!

(and to borrow my friend's old keyboard. Wife has vetoed the drums.)

Thanks again, NSG!

Wow, thanks for a lot of really great responses.

I won't reply to everybody by name, but this is the first time I've ever really read a thread on NSG and every response was worth reading...

Off to the violin outlet!

(and to borrow my friend's old keyboard. Wife has vetoed the drums.)

Thanks again, NSG!

if you don't know any instruments......I would suggest learning piano first, if you can play the piano you can pretty much learn anything else easily, a basic understanding of how music works is really important, and with a piano you get a broad range of that. Just my 2 cents.

As a reformed former violist (and violists have a worse reputation for sounding bad than beginning violinists, hence my reformed nature - for the good of man kind), a well played viola is much more soulful and human to my ears than a violin. Part of that is simply personal taste from having played the instrument, and part of that is personal taste in my prefernce of the sound of the instrument. (I have weird (?) tastes - I'd love to hear a well done piece for er hu, viola, french horn, bagpipes, shansen, shakuhachi, and mbira.

I like the viola too. It's underutilized in the orchestra, but perhaps that's why when its used, it sounds more intriguing to me. I like the range and timbre though more than I like the violin. Cellos are good too.

And uh, bagpipes? Ugh. You had me until you said bagpipes. Seriously, how drunk were they when they first decided to invent them and call it music?

Violas are in all ways and shapes superior to their younger, less mature bretheren, the violin. Take it up, if you really wanna play, but make sure that you're willing to make a lot of effort, 'cuz it aint easy to learn. I'm in my 9th year of playing, and I'm only passable amongst the really good musicians.

If you wanna do solo stuff, do the violin, because there's a lot more choice (unlike viola, where the only choice you get is between one Hindemith Concerto and another), but for ensemble stuff, viola is way superior (this is coming from a violist of course, so I'm biased).

If you want an easy instrument, play guitar or something. Violin takes years of hard practice to get good at.

In elementary school I played the viola for a while, not exactly like a violin but very close, I found it to have a better sound....anyway, it was pretty easy, although I play 6 instruments, 4 of them stringed, the viola was the easiest of all the stringed instruments I have ever played.

I found it rewarding as long as it was something I wanted to do, but like most things, when people start with the "you are really good" I tend to quit, so I only played for 3 years. If you don't play an instrument, this is one I would recommend, it's beautiful and it gets a good sound, and it's probably not going to frustrate you as much as more difficult instruments would.

Yea viola!

(PS don't let anyone talk you into woodwinds, or brass, they are sucky)

:(

How do you get two violinists to play in tune? Shoot one of them.

Turning the viola jokes on the violinists now, are we?

Seriously, the violin probably has the greatest rewards. For a long time you play 'Twinkle Twinkle' sounding like a tom cat with it's manhood caught in a revolving door on a frosty night, but with perseverance you can get great results. Work hard and you'll be great. For instant results, play the piano, guitar, trumpet, flute or clarinet.

But what do I know. I'm only a music Post grad student who plays the trumpet (and assorted brass)

That you, little bro? (Actually he's a horn player and college prof now, otherwise I might well suspect you were he in disguise.)

Off to the violin outlet!

Don't forget to tell people you carry your tommy gun in the case. ;)

I like the viola too. It's underutilized in the orchestra, but perhaps that's why when its used, it sounds more intriguing to me. I like the range and timbre though more than I like the violin. Cellos are good too.

And uh, bagpipes? Ugh. You had me until you said bagpipes. Seriously, how drunk were they when they first decided to invent them and call it music?

Heh. I enquired with my little bro (who's a professional composer) and he says:

I imagine a rather nice work could be written for this
combination with a little creativity. One can typically find unusual combinations. The primary problem would be this:
If someone writes for such a combination, even if they manage to get funds to pull togther the players to perform it, it would be highly unlikely that it would ever be performed again.
Therefore, your idea may have to live forever as a fanatasy.

Violin's pretty awesome, but also look at the viola (basically a better-sounding violin, ha ha.. yeah, I'm going to get some dirty looks for that comment..)

No love for bassists.

No seriously, bassists are like the sex. They are like, manly. I mean like ROAR and stuff, especially when it's like a walking bassline, now that's sexy. Or Rush, I like Rush. Not only that but it's easier to play then a guitar, and well, that's pretty easy. I've been working on it for two months and I'm by 7 to 12 songs >_>

But if you want a real instrument, viola. It sounds... soul-full-er.

NSG appears to be a Viola dominated community. Either this is clear evidence that we violists are more political than our violin-sawing counterparts, or proof that violists have no lives.

(basically a better-sounding violin, ha ha.. yeah, I'm going to get some dirty looks for that comment..)


In this thread, where we even have someone turning the viola jokes on the violinists? Nope. You'll be one of the crowd. ('"Gooble gobble, gooble gobble, we accept her, we accept her, one of us, one of us!"[/freaks])

NSG appears to be a Viola dominated community. Either this is clear evidence that we violists are more political than our violin-sawing counterparts, or proof that violists have no lives.

All this outpouring of love is dangerous - I might start thinking of taking up the viola again...

NSG appears to be a Viola dominated community. Either this is clear evidence that we violists are more political than our violin-sawing counterparts, or proof that violists have no lives.

Neither. I just like it better. I don't play any stringed instrument (unless you count the piano as one), but I do write for 'em.

:(
Woodwinds and brass are very difficult for someone who is uncoordinated to play...I know from experience. They say "put your mouth this way" and I am sure that I do, but still the squeaking........bleh.

I eventually figured it out, but it was painful and embarrassing until then. Mostly I just fail.......the trombone = evil incarnate.......or not incarnate, maybe it drove me insane.

I played the violin for 10 years or so.

I never practiced, so I sucked.

It's not an instrument I would recommend anyone to start learning as an adult. It takes a lot of practice until you're able to "do anything with it" and even then that something is going to be playing in an orchestra. Which is fun, if there happens to be one near you that will take you.

At least a guitar you can take with you and play around the proverbial camp fire, or just for fun sitting on the sofa, not to mention in bands of all kinds. The violin is a much more "serious" instrument. It's hard to learn all the techniques and the learning doesn't stop for a loooooooooooooong time.

Okay, I got a violin and a yamaha keyboard.

However, I grow concerned, fearful even, at the terrible rift that I see around me.

Violinists and violists (violer's?) attacking one another in the streets, blood and rosin shed needlessly over this fiddle fatwah!

Surely, there can be peace! Can we not come together, as brethren, and stop wailing on one another in the parking lot with music stands?

A difference of an octave shouldn't be irreconcilable, choice of horsehair isn't heresy! You there, stop garrotting that guy with your G - string!

Please, this civil war must end! We are all human!

Unlike those filthy goddamn flautists...

Okay, I got a violin and a yamaha keyboard.

However, I grow concerned, fearful even, at the terrible rift that I see around me.

Violinists and violists (violer's?) attacking one another in the streets, blood and rosin shed needlessly over this fiddle fatwah!

Surely, there can be peace! Can we not come together, as brethren, and stop wailing on one another in the parking lot with music stands?

A difference of an octave shouldn't be irreconcilable, choice of horsehair isn't heresy! You there, stop garrotting that guy with your G - string!

Please, this civil war must end! We are all human!

Unlike those filthy goddamn flautists...
Well, I still think you won't get very happy with that violin but I do like to read your posts, so if you end up tossing the violin aside in two weeks time you're always welcome to come back here and waste your time posting on NS instead. :p

I played the violin for 10 years or so.

I never practiced, so I sucked.

It's not an instrument I would recommend anyone to start learning as an adult. It takes a lot of practice until you're able to "do anything with it" and even then that something is going to be playing in an orchestra. Which is fun, if there happens to be one near you that will take you.

At least a guitar you can take with you and play around the proverbial camp fire, or just for fun sitting on the sofa, not to mention in bands of all kinds. The violin is a much more "serious" instrument. It's hard to learn all the techniques and the learning doesn't stop for a loooooooooooooong time.

Wait, you played for ten years and never practiced?

You must have enjoyed something about it to have persisted for so long.

I'm not sure I plan on "doing anything with it", just playing/practicing for my personal pleasure.

And if I'm wretched, well, I can't be any worse at it than I am at chess or racquetball, but I still like them.

Did you find it difficult to practice diligently, or was the practice itself frustrating?

Well, I still think you won't get very happy with that violin but I do like to read your posts, so if you end up tossing the violin aside in two weeks time you're always welcome to come back here and waste your time posting on NS instead. :p

Well, I've rented for three months, so, see you then, heh!

I'm into both sax and violins.

Not really, just couldn't resist the pun.

I played the violin for 10 years or so.

I never practiced, so I sucked.

It's not an instrument I would recommend anyone to start learning as an adult. It takes a lot of practice until you're able to "do anything with it" and even then that something is going to be playing in an orchestra. Which is fun, if there happens to be one near you that will take you.

Not at all. Violin and viola can both perform solo, and not just classical/art music. Are you simply unfamiliar with C/W and the various folk traditions that use the violin? (And don't blather about the fiddle and violin being differnt insturments. They aren't.) And other musical genres also make use of violin, including pop, rock, and jazz. (One of the awesomest live performances I've seen was a local reggae performer who usually performs solo with just an acoustic guitar, but on this particular occassion had an electric violinist with him.)

At least a guitar you can take with you and play around the proverbial camp fire, or just for fun sitting on the sofa, not to mention in bands of all kinds.

Again, there's absolutely nothing that says you can't sit around the campfire playing violin or viola.

Okay, I got a violin and a yamaha keyboard.

However, I grow concerned, fearful even, at the terrible rift that I see around me.

Violinists and violists (violer's?) attacking one another in the streets, blood and rosin shed needlessly over this fiddle fatwah!

Surely, there can be peace! Can we not come together, as brethren, and stop wailing on one another in the parking lot with music stands?

A difference of an octave shouldn't be irreconcilable, choice of horsehair isn't heresy! You there, stop garrotting that guy with your G - string!

Please, this civil war must end! We are all human!

Unlike those filthy goddamn flautists...

This appears this may be the great violist uprising against the years of oppresssion that the violinists have feared....

Viva la revolucion!

I play the piano and the violin. I've had lessons for longer with the violin. I've also taught violin.

I would strongly recommend start with either guitar or piano, preferably piano. The piano is a great way to learn how to read music, and also to develop a proper sense of pitch.

Secondly, when you do start the violin, absolutely, without question, get lessons. It is NECESSARY that you learn how to hold the bow properly. A poor bow hand is a bad habit that will screw up your sound terribly. You'll probably want to spend some time (probably a week or so) just playing open strings. Make sure that you have a good bow hand. It keeps you from playing on the fingerboard which will give you a ghosty sound. It also keeps you from playing over the bridge, which will give you really high squeaky sounds.

Other than that, I'd recommend using the suzuki books. They are fairly standard, and even the songs might get irritating, they've been chosen in such a way to develop skills in order.

...and about the ladies. You might hear 'I banged the guitarist' more than 'I banged the violinist,' but you'll probably hear 'I'm dating/married to the violinist' more than 'I'm dating/married to the guitarist'. Some people want one, some people want the other.

Finally, consider the viola. It's a fine instrument, and there are a lot less violists than violinists. That means there is a higher demand for violists in any kind of job or quartet. If you're a small person though, stick with the violin. The viola is big and heavy.

~In Soviet Russia, violin plays YOU!!!

Finally, consider the viola. It's a fine instrument, and there are a lot less violists than violinists. That means there is a higher demand for violists in any kind of job or quartet. If you're a small person though, stick with the violin. The viola is big and heavy.

~In Soviet Russia, violin plays YOU!!!

I considered hiding you from the Great Violists revolutionary committee until that joke. ;)

(Seriously though - nice first post.)

I play the piano and the violin. I've had lessons for longer with the violin. I've also taught violin.

I would strongly recommend start with either guitar or piano, preferably piano. The piano is a great way to learn how to read music, and also to develop a proper sense of pitch.

Secondly, when you do start the violin, absolutely, without question, get lessons. It is NECESSARY that you learn how to hold the bow properly. A poor bow hand is a bad habit that will screw up your sound terribly. You'll probably want to spend some time (probably a week or so) just playing open strings. Make sure that you have a good bow hand. It keeps you from playing on the fingerboard which will give you a ghosty sound. It also keeps you from playing over the bridge, which will give you really high squeaky sounds.

Other than that, I'd recommend using the suzuki books. They are fairly standard, and even the songs might get irritating, they've been chosen in such a way to develop skills in order.

...and about the ladies. You might hear 'I banged the guitarist' more than 'I banged the violinist,' but you'll probably hear 'I'm dating/married to the violinist' more than 'I'm dating/married to the guitarist'. Some people want one, some people want the other.

Finally, consider the viola. It's a fine instrument, and there are a lot less violists than violinists. That means there is a higher demand for violists in any kind of job or quartet. If you're a small person though, stick with the violin. The viola is big and heavy.

~In Soviet Russia, violin plays YOU!!!

Schweet, I'll definitely get an instructor. The shop where I rented my stuff had a list of local folks that teach. I'm going to stop by the Music Dept over in Fine Arts and see if any of their grad students want to make a few extra bucks.

I play violin and I love it. I've been playing for almost 3 years now, and I've gotten pretty good at it. I worked hard to get to the level I'm at, but it's worth it. The violin is definitely an instrument that takes a while to get used to, especially if your fingers aren't naturally flexible like mine were.

I play violin and I love it. I've been playing for almost 3 years now, and I've gotten pretty good at it. I worked hard to get to the level I'm at, but it's worth it. The violin is definitely an instrument that takes a while to get used to, especially if your fingers aren't naturally flexible like mine were.

Do you practice daily?

They're beautiful instruments (not as beautiful as guitars, but that's just because I have a bias). The only instrument I could ever really master was voice, though. And vocal chords are not beautiful, at all. In fact, I was looking at some pictures of them the other day, and my mother thought I was looking at porn.