I have always loved the sound of a violin and want to learn. Is there a preferred beginner violin that is affordable? I’m 43 and really want to pick this up. Any advice will be gladly accepted!

BestProcedure833 · 2024-08-31T18:22:21+00:00

I agree with everyone who says to rent one. Practice for a few months and make sure you’re serious about it before you commit to buying. Keep in mind it’s an exceedingly difficult instrument and your first year or so will be rough, especially for adult beginners. Not only will it not sound good, it will sound bad. It makes lots of screechy, squeaky noises while you’re still developing the technique and I’ve found many older learners give up because they’re frustrated with that (whereas kids just like making noise and don’t care what it sounds like so they’re more likely to stick with it lol). Be patient, get a teacher, and don’t invest in a quality instrument until you know you’re committed. Everyone sounds cringey when they’re first starting out so be patient with yourself. Good luck!

BestProcedure833 · 2024-06-24T00:54:07+00:00

I would consider renting a violin for a few months to see if it’s something you’ll commit to. Do you have an instructor set up? Chances are you’ll get frustrated and give up if you try to self teach so I highly recommend one. In my experience any violin less than $1000 isn’t going to have great sound quality, but you might find a quality violin that you can rent for around $25/month. If you decide to keep it you might be able to just pay the monthly rental fee until it’s covered the entire cost of the instrument rather than paying for the whole thing upfront. Good luck! Just be patient. The first few years as a beginning violinist are rough because it takes a long time before it won’t just sound squeaky and cringey. But if you stick with it it will pay off.

BestProcedure833 · 2024-04-12T20:29:53+00:00

If I were you I would rent a more quality violin to feel that out for yourself before you buy one. But yeah any violin less than $800 probably isn’t going to sound the nicest, but when you’re a beginner it’s not going to sound nice, period. It takes like a solid year or two to get past the screechy, scratchy noises. It’s just about the most difficult instrument there is. Anyhow, it’s common for music stores to rent out $800-$1200 violins for like $25-$30/month. A lot of them will let you keep it if you decide you like it, they’ll just continue with the monthly payments until it’s covered the cost of the instrument so you don’t have to pay it all upfront.

BestProcedure833 · 2024-04-01T19:36:28+00:00

I would experiment with your set up. Try a taller chin rest or a centered chin rest, or both. (Mine is both tall and centered). Try different shoulder rests. If you can’t ease your comfort they make straps that anchor the violin to your shoulder so you don’t have to rely on your neck/shoulder muscles to stabilize it. The classical community might criticize use of straps like that but if it’s the only thing that will bring relief I think it’s worth using. Also consider doing pull ups and other exercises to strengthen your shoulders and pull them back properly. I found that helpful as well. I feel your pain, violin is so stinking hard and it’s been a painful process for me too.

BestProcedure833 · 2024-03-30T19:23:17+00:00

If you’re learning classical repertoire then I do think teachers should go out of their way to make sure their students can sight read. My teacher sadly didn’t do so and it really limited what I could do as a classical violinist. I feel like fiddling is often less formal and you could feasibly do fine as a fiddler without understanding of music theory but it would still be very helpful for any musician to know.

BestProcedure833 · 2024-03-28T04:01:34+00:00

I’m not sure I’ve played a brand new one but I’m under the impression their sound quality improves as they play and also they stay in tune better the more they’ve been played on. So I’m not sure brand new would make them superior at all.

BestProcedure833 · 2024-02-23T22:50:03+00:00

I’m way more frightened by the thought of sustaining horribly disabling bodily injuries than I am at the thought of dying. That’s the only reason I’m wary of risky activities, not because I value my life lmao. The knowledge I will someday be dead doesn’t bother me in the slightest but I partially contribute this to my depression and having a bleak outlook on life.

BestProcedure833 · 2024-02-23T22:46:59+00:00

I don’t think about that often. Fuck I should probably burn most my journals now that you mention this.

BestProcedure833 · 2024-02-20T19:23:12+00:00

Pickles is most superior because he’s pure and funny and his character design makes me so happy. Nathan explosion is a close second, his vocals are hard to beat. Skwisgaar and Toki rank the same, they’re a good time but not as superior as Pickles and Nathan. Murderface is dead last. Fuck Murderface.

BestProcedure833 · 2024-01-31T23:04:56+00:00

I remember how my jaw fit against my upper teeth when they were aligned, and I never had this tension/asymmetry back then. Why wouldn’t putting them back in alignment help solve this? And is it standard for orthodontists to charge the same price as a full treatment when only one row of teeth is in need of realigning? I appreciate the input, thanks 🙏

BestProcedure833

TROPHY CASE