Violin PANDA

How to Become a Better Violinist – An Essential Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners

black artist playing violin in nature
Table of Contents

    The violin is an enthralling instrument to learn how to play.

    Whether you’re playing classical music or fiddle melodies, this instrument can handle it all.

    From trying string orchestra to trying electric violins, this instrument can suit all your musical needs.

    It’s no surprise that so many people desire to learn how to play the violin since there are so many ways to enjoy it.

    In this post, you’ll learn step-by-step how to begin playing the violin and you will learn violin basics for beginners.

    This covers everything you’ll need to get started on the violin right away, including all the essentials, tips, and lessons to get you started. 

    Part 1: Gathering Equipment 

    As a violin beginner, you need to make sure you have all of the following items: 

    You must either rent or acquire an instrument before you can begin learning to play the violin.

    Many music professionals recommend renting a violin for beginners if you are just starting.

    Not only will this help you decide whether or not to continue with the instrument, but it will also allow you to get a feel for your violin.

    After you’ve gotten to know the instrument, you can decide if you want a violin that makes a particular sound or feels a certain way. Renting allows you to try out instruments while remaining flexible.

    Once you’ve discovered the finest violin for beginners, make sure you have all of the necessary accessories.

    This includes acquiring a shoulder rest, bow rosin, and additional violin strings. You should also get a chromatic tuner or tuning fork to assist you to maintain your instrument in tune.

    Part 2: Learning Violin Basic Techniques 

    Most beginner violin learners love to jump straight into playing songs on the violin. However, just like in life, you must crawl before you can walk if you want to learn to play the violin.

    This implies that you must first create a solid foundation, which is learning violin basics, before moving on to more difficult pieces or songs.

    To begin, you will learn about the anatomy of the violin and how to correctly handle the instrument. You may next concentrate on bowing and plucking methods. 

    Furthermore, you will begin to remember the notes on the strings as well as where your fingers go. Exercises to help you become fluent in playing the violin are a must. Great exercises to help you raise your finger on time on the violin fingerboard.

    A decent violin teacher should be able to provide you with all of the resources you need to learn this instrument.

    You can also learn all these for FREE Here.

    Once you’ve mastered these fundamentals, you’ll be ready to begin performing music. 

    Of course, you’ll begin with simple melodies and progress to more difficult ones that need more technique and experience.

    You will gradually get more comfortable tuning your instrument on your own.

    With that stated, here are some beginner tips to remember: 

    1. Violin Tuning 

    It is critical to tune your violin before you begin playing. Because most models are constructed of wood, they are susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, both of which may have a detrimental effect on tuning.

    Fresh strings are also known to cause instruments to immediately fall out of tune, and it might take several days for the new strings to properly stretch out and stabilize.

    An image showing the standard violin tuning for all violin 4 strings.

    Read the article on Ultimate guide on How to tune your violin or you can watch the video below to show you how.

    2. Untie the Bow When You’re Not Using It  

    It’s always a good idea to relieve the tension when you’re not using your bow, even if you’re only taking a little break. This can dramatically increase the longevity of your bow and may be accomplished by utilizing the rear of the bow’s screw.  The video below shows you how you can do this.

    3. Replace the Strings

    Because violin strings may break or wear out and sound dull, it’s best to replace them with new ones once a year to ensure constant sound quality.

    Remember to change the strings one at a time to prevent the nut and soundpost from falling loose.

    The video below shows you 4 things you must know before changing strings on the violin.

    4. Without Rosin, There is No Good Sound 

    Rosin is vitally necessary for producing high-quality music from your violin because the horsehairs on your bow need it to produce friction and allow the strings to vibrate.

    Just don’t put too much on there or you’ll wind up with a harsh instrument. Rosin also generates a lot of dust, so you’ll want to clean out your violin with a soft cloth frequently.

    5. Keep a Good Posture

    An image showing how to hold the violin correctly. This is violin basics for beginners

    Usually, beginners skip this important part of learning to play the violin. No doubt during your early days, you might feel some tension, which is understandable. However, to be able to play freely and comfortably while avoiding injury, correct posture is essential.

    The importance of balance and relaxation cannot be overstated. Many beginning violinists grip their instruments excessively firmly, making it more difficult and challenging to play.

    Top Mistakes Beginners Make with Violin

    Here are some of the mistakes you should avoid while honing your craft of violin.

    • Limp Wrist What is one of the most prevalent violin left-hand errors? The dreaded collapsing wrist. Do not let your left wrist fall or bend. 
    • Tune-Up An out-of-tune instrument is analogous to a broken clock. Make sure your violin is in tune every time you practice. 
    • Incorrect Size – Are you using the incorrect size violin? Violins are available in nine distinct sizes. A full-size violin should be plenty for most people, but if you’re small or searching for a violin for a kid, there are other violin sizes to pick from. 

    If you’re serious about learning violin and are truly passionate about it then you can also check out Rimma Strings Academy here to ease out the process.

    Let me know in the comment section if this article was helpful.

    About Me

    Hi, I’m Rimma, a mom of one, passionate about teaching violin. In my free time you, will find me watching my favorite TV shows.

    Helpful? Follow me for more!

    Related Posts

    Facebook
    Twitter
    Pinterest

    Related articles

    Leave a Reply

    Rimma Strings Academy
    Do you want to learn violin in a structured way?
    Learn More

    Recent blog posts