In my recent entries, I’ve focused my articles on the question when a child should be exposed to playing the violin and music in general. To look at the flipside of the coin, it would also be interesting to know what experts think about starting to play the violin as an adult.
First of all, a recent study shows that age is not the deciding factor to master a musical instrument. Born music geniuses are not the rule but rather the exception. According to experts, consistency is the key to being the best you can be in any sport or musical endeavor you are into. People who have a passion for music but are holding back because they think they have passed the “learning age” are misguided. For individuals who lack the determination, the “right” time will just never come.
I started really late but due to my commitment and interest in playing the violin, many musicians who heard me play, only had positive comments about my skills. It is never too late and never too early to start. So if you have this inner desire to learn how to play the violin, now is the time to do so. If you don’t start now, you never will.
In case you’re still undecided whether to begin with the learning process, here are some questions to help you assess your readiness:
1. How much time are you willing to invest for learning how to play the violin?
Your answer here is crucial since consistent practice is needed to learn any kind of instrument. Experts say that the length of time is not as important as the frequency of practice. Even if you just practice for an hour every other day but you do so consistently, it will still help you a great deal.
2. How much are you willing to pay?
Considering the still ongoing economic difficulties we are facing these days, this factor might be the deciding one for many people. It might also be the only one holding them back from starting with violin lessons.
Some of the violin teachers I know either lost their jobs or had their hours cut by the school. Competition between violin teachers has become really tough since last year. This could make it easier to find a good teacher with cheaper rates compared to previous years. However, this, of course, depends on your availability. If you are planning to take lessons at night or during weekends, you might have to pay a higher rate than regular students.
I personally chose a more convenient and cheaper version because I was not sure at first whether playing the violin is something I would want to do long term. So, I tried out these online violin lessons which cost me 29 dollars. They are great for beginners who want to learn and practice at their own pace as well as advance players who are looking for ways to improve their skills.
3. What inspired you to learn how to play the violin?
Just like choosing the right major for college, learning how to play the violin requires an individual’s interest. If you feel pressured by your parents or peers, you might have a difficult time mastering the violin. Don’t feel guilty, though. I know a lot of teenagers who are being forced by their parents to learn a certain musical instrument and because of the pressure, they end up hating what they are doing. Make sure you really want to learn to play the violin because of your interest. Playing the violin is a great way to express yourself and it should be a fun and pleasant activity for the individual playing.
The choice is yours but like if playing the violin is something you’ve always wanted to do, I would definitely give it a shot. You can start with the online violin lessons and go from there.
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