learn to play the violin

I am rolling right along with my violin now, still struggling with bow accuracy, of course, but enjoying it and moving ahead!

I realized, last night while practicing, that I can now read a treble clef and play the melody line in the keys of A and D. I will try G today. Too cool!

I think I am starting to hold the bow more correctly. The mechanics are the hardest part. I can “see” how to do it in my head, my intonation and fingering are pretty accurate, but holding the violin on my shoulder and the bow in the right way are just driving me nuts. Still it is my new love and I can’t wait till I get to practice each day.

I’m still struggling to get all the details pulled together at the same time, and last night I played “Jesus Loves Me” the best I had so far, and just started to fall in love with this complicated, haunting, difficult instrument. It is SO different from the other instruments I play - piano, guitar, and banjo - although my moderate musical background does help. Violin is like learning a new language. Just love it!

I wore the hair off my first bow - it was older and frayed anyway - and now I am using my son’s bow for the time being. I am amazed at how much practice it takes just to get through “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” without creaking or faltering! I do enjoy it and I am determined to keep at it. I am playing about 5 songs, two scales and some bow exercises now.

I am still sawing away, and now I can play two hymns—Jesus Loves Me, and Amazing Grace. I really enjoy it…after just one month of lessons. I hope the momentum stays with me!

My teacher says I am doing very well. I am so pleased! Of course it sounds like fingernails on a chalk board still—but I am practicing a LOT.

About 30-40 minutes is all I can stand right now because I am still tensing up too much and then my shoulder hurts. But I am making progress and can play a teeny tiny bit more fluidly each day.

I am still struggling with basics, like holding the bow and fingering correctly. I played Jesus Loves Me tonight! Yay me!

I have my first violin, which my mother in law gave me. It’s an old one of hers but sounds fine. I start lessons NEXT WED !! I am nervous but looking forward to learning something new. I will be taking lessons from my son’s viola teacher. She is very accomplished and it’s an honor to get squeezed into her schedule. She was thrilled to hear of a middle aged woman wanting to learn violin! Made me feel better about it!