How young can you start Violin lessons?

[MajorMantra]

Let's face it, the violin doesn't sound 'that' good when it's played correctly. It's a bit like vinegar, ok in small doses when it's served with something else but you would not want a lot of it on its own!

Really? Just as an example, how can you not think this is beautiful?:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auhNQJ8cVPE&feature=related


A well played violin may be loud but it should never be unpleasant.

Matthew

 

[wafflycat]

Me too but I recovered and I now play the bag pipes.....

The original poster should count his blessings that his offspring is unaware of the full spectrum of pain inducing musical instruments

That's what the OP needs for his offspring! The ideal instrument! Start him off with the chanter and then move on to full bagpipes! And such a choice of bagpipes... Scottish, Northumbrian...

 

[HelenD123]

My eight year old plays (I use that word loosely) the piano and violin. He is giving up the violin after Xmas, if you get my meaning.

School Nazis want him to continue but he is further ahead with his piano playing and it's easier on the ear. Anyone else got personal experience in playing two instruments? Are there any advantages to continuing?

I was in exactly your son's position. I started learning both the violin and piano at the age of 8 and got on much better with the piano so gave up on the violin after a year. I'd wanted to play a woodwind instrument rather than the violin though which probably didn't help but the school didn't have any available. I got another chance to learn an instrument when I moved school at 11 and was offered the oboe which I got on great with. If your son isn't happy playing the violin he won't practise so won't get anywhere with it. It's a shame to be giving up quite so soon though.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Really? Just as an example, how can you not think this is beautiful?:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auhNQJ8cVPE&feature=related


A well played violin may be loud but it should never be unpleasant.

Matthew

well played being the important thing. sadly, you have to go through the murdering-three-blind-mice-and sounding-like-you-are-doing-the-same phase first.

 

[Blackandblue]

Hmmmmm.....bagpipes....let me think about that one.....

All this talk of screaching violins reminds me of the gag about the badly performing female cellist and her music teacher who, in a fit of exasperation at her slow-learning, was heard to exclaim - "Madam, you have God's greatest gift to man between your legs and all you can do is sit there and scratch it!"

 

[wafflycat]

Bagpipes.... the chanter, which young would-be pipers start on is actually a pleasant sounding little instrument. As for bagpipes themselves, the Northumbrian pipes have a much gentler sound than the full-blown skirl of the Scottish bagpipes. Northumbrian bagpipes are a wonderful sound.

 

[Blackandblue]

I should probably point out that I am tone deaf and never got anywhere with musical instruments myself. My wife isn't particularly musical either. So my lad's starting at a somewhat genetical disadvantage but he bashes the drums with such gusto and bangs so earnestly on the keys of his little electric piano that I hold on to the hope that there may be a spark of musicality in him.

It is to my constant dismay that I cannot play a musical instrument and dance with two left feet.

 

[ChrisKH]

I was in exactly your son's position. I started learning both the violin and piano at the age of 8 and got on much better with the piano so gave up on the violin after a year. I'd wanted to play a woodwind instrument rather than the violin though which probably didn't help but the school didn't have any available. I got another chance to learn an instrument when I moved school at 11 and was offered the oboe which I got on great with. If your son isn't happy playing the violin he won't practise so won't get anywhere with it. It's a shame to be giving up quite so soon though.

Thanks Helen. He's quite happy playing both, but like all men (!) he is prone to being lazy and practices either one or the other but not both. His piano playing is significantly better, yet they don't have a position he can take in the school Orchestra if he does just piano. In some respects they want him to do violin because there are very few violin players at school but that's not a basis for choosing what instrument you should play IMO. He also has a brand new upright at home I inherited from my mother. We'll review it in the New Year and make a decision together about what is best for him.

 

[HelenD123]

Thanks Helen. He's quite happy playing both, but like all men (!) he is prone to being lazy and practices either one or the other but not both. His piano playing is significantly better, yet they don't have a position he can take in the school Orchestra if he does just piano. In some respects they want him to do violin because there are very few violin players at school but that's not a basis for choosing what instrument you should play IMO. He also has a brand new upright at home I inherited from my mother. We'll review it in the New Year and make a decision together about what is best for him.

If he's enjoying the violin he should definitely stick with it then, at least until he's had a chance to see what it's like playing in an orchestra. He'll have the best of both worlds then as he can play the piano on his own and violin in a group.

 

[4F]

My daughter took up violin when she was 7 and I must say that rather then hearing an impression of a strangled cat she picked it up very easily and I was gutted when she quit suddenly after 3 years as it was a joy to listen to . Something to do with not being seen as cool and trendy by her classmates !

However the youngest (5) has just started the piano and is loving it

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I am not sure that making any child do lessons is a good idea UNLESS they have shown a genuine interest themselves in learning. Having instruments around the house and exposing the young uns to musical performances/concerts is the way to see if they show any spark. If they start asking themselves to be allowed to play the instrument that is a good sign...they have to want to do it themselves...it's not really going to work if they are pushed to do it because the parents think it's a good thing for them to do. I think that probably goes for most things.

But to answer the question...if they can pick it up & if they enjoy it, they are old enough.

 

[Maizie]

At 4 years old you may not find many teachers who will take on instrument-specific tuition.
You may find Suzuki Method violin tuition available.

You may find it better to start at this age with something more based on Kodaly or Dalcroze, which is more 'general' (but extremely valuable) musical stuff. Some of it may remind people of beloved Music'N'Movement lessons from their childhood...

 

[Mr Pig]

how can you not think this is beautiful?

Ok, spiffing, but really. Who wants to play an instatement you need to hold with your face?

Talking of leaning two instruments. Last week I was at a tutorial by a drummer called Dave Weckl, he's reckoned to be one of the top ten best drummers of all time. He advised that anyone who wanted to work in the music industry learn two instruments. He said that even for someone as sought after as him there are times he needs other skills to bring work in. He plays keyboard and now does as much producing as playing drums.

 

[Arch]

Piano? You can get an electronic one these days - takes up far less space than a grand piano in the corner of the drawing room...

Guitar? Again - electric ones easy to tune (with small bit of kit) and headphones can be plugged in so the player hears the noise, err.. music, but those around are in blissful ignorance

Recorder? Good starter and cheap compared to many instruments

Yeah, but the recorder sounds awful - worse than a violin I reckon.

You can get electric violins of course, but they're not cheap. I sometimes fancy taking the violin up again, but I wouldn't want to inflict the sound on my neighbours, so I'd have to go down the electric route.

If the lad is keen to try, I think he should be encouraged - especially if a violin can be borrowed or hired. I think a nicely played violin is lovely, whether it's proper classical or a bit of folk fiddle. It's true the early stages aren't great, but what instrument is?

 

[papercorn2000]

How about the triangle?