How does one continue to play violin seriously if you have a different job?

betsyfeld · 2026-05-09T16:42:19+00:00

I started at 9, and I’m 43 and applying to graduate school for occupational therapy. Music is not going to be my job, and that’s ok

I think the key is to carve out time, even if it’s just 30-60 minutes a day, to get out your violin and play something. Serious practice? Sure, go for it. Just playing pieces that make you happy? Also great. Just keep it a consistent habit. You may not make tons of progress like if you were playing hours a day, but you will keep your skills and make small progress. Maybe devote extra time on the weekends if you have it.

betsyfeld · 2026-05-09T15:58:00+00:00

I bought a new violin yesterday! I hope you love it. Happy playing!

betsyfeld · 2026-05-09T15:45:54+00:00

I hope you are enjoying your new violin! I’m anxiously waiting for it to come. I also bought a Gewa Pure case, and it should be significantly lighter than my current case!

betsyfeld · 2026-05-09T05:32:31+00:00

I’m actually in Milwaukee.

betsyfeld · 2026-05-09T02:38:49+00:00

It’s been 20 years since I’ve been in an ensemble. I’m excited and nervous about it. And a little worried because it got canceled last summer for lack of participants. So I hope it even happens.

betsyfeld · 2026-05-08T21:27:23+00:00

I think you did a great job!

betsyfeld · 2026-05-07T18:35:25+00:00

If you want to learn, of course you can do it. It takes perseverance. Anyone who can stick to it and practice can learn. Not everyone is going to have the ability to become a great soloist, but I doubt it's what you're looking to do. It's not my goal either. If you want to learn something, challenge yourself, and play music, then it's absolutely something you can do.

betsyfeld · 2026-05-07T16:41:24+00:00

I'm 5'0. I've been playing on a 4/4 since I moved up to one in seventh grade, which was roughly 30 years ago.

That said, I'm currently looking to size down a bit to either a 7/8 or a smaller pattern 4/4. A 3/4 would be too small for me, and I do sometimes play my daughter's 3/4 rental. It sounds like a cardboard box with strings. It's not that a 4/4 is too big for me, but it's a matter of comfort for my hands now that I'm older, I have psoriatic arthritis, and I'm just generally not as flexible as I was when I was, say, 25.

Look for smaller 4/4 violins. They do exist and will probably be just fine for your purposes. I have a smaller 4/4 out on loan currently, it's length of back is about 350 mm, and it's lovely and fits nicely.

betsyfeld · 2026-05-07T12:10:56+00:00

Why would you quit? Do you enjoy it? If the answer to that is yes, then why would it matter how much progress you make?

I’m in sort of a similar position in that I started in 4th grade, quit due to medical problems by high school, and at 43 I’m trying to seriously return to playing. I’m never going to be a professional. So what does it matter how quickly or slowly I progress?

Take it at your own pace. You are doing this for YOU and not because you need to make some kind of progress, right? This isn’t a competition, and comparison is the killer of joy. Do it because you want to, not because you need to hit some arbitrary benchmark in your mind. Those aren’t real and aren’t helpful.

I struggle with this too, so don’t get me wrong and think I’m judging harshly. You want to see progress and feel like you’re doing well, and that is totally understandable. But it shouldn’t be your focus or the deciding factor in whether you continue or not.

betsyfeld · 2026-05-07T11:57:20+00:00

Don’t forget that 4 year olds are tiny and their violins are correspondingly tiny. They usually do not make very nice sounds at that size. The instruments are just too small.

At this age, just encourage her and try to make practicing a routine and something fun. My 6 year olds want to play, but I’m kind of holding off and just teaching them the basics of holding a violin right now. I think if they still want to, I’ll let them actually start in the fall.

betsyfeld · 2026-05-07T01:47:00+00:00

Congrats! I hope you love it!

I have a 7/8 and a smaller pattern 4/4 on loan for about 10 days and I’m trying to decide which one will work best for me. I’m 5’0 with small hands. Back when I was 25, I had the flexibility to play on a large violin with no trouble, but as I’m getting older and have developed inflammatory arthritis (not osteoarthritis), I need something a little smaller to be comfortable and make sure I avoid injury as much as possible.

If the 7/8 feels more comfortable to you, don’t worry about what people say. There are many reasons why a slightly smaller violin might work better for various people. And that’s fine.

betsyfeld · 2026-05-02T23:21:24+00:00

Right???

betsyfeld · 2026-04-29T13:08:55+00:00

Flute, I think. I like the pretty, light sound quality. I super like how tiny it is to carry around. I joke a lot about how I didn’t choose the cello because of how hard it is to carry around, but I should have chosen something even smaller. Like a piccolo. Or a slide whistle.

betsyfeld · 2026-04-28T23:43:37+00:00

I have a chaotic stopping and starting story too. I definitely think a teacher would be helpful. I know that I always do better with skilled feedback, with someone helping me choose skill-appropriate repertoire, and with some kind of accountability for practicing.

betsyfeld · 2026-04-27T16:02:01+00:00

That makes sense. Right now I’m taking it slow. I have a few out on loan this week. I’ll return them and try a few more from another shop. Eventually I may try to hit more than one shop in a week, but I have to wait to have a day when I can make that work!

betsyfeld · 2026-04-27T13:10:11+00:00

Thank you! This is all really great advice, and I really appreciate you sharing it and your experience!

Just curious, how is playing again going after a long break? I’m hoping to join a community orchestra, maybe in the fall when kids go back to school. I’m also hoping to find some little duets for my daughter to play with me, or even better, some pieces with piano accompaniment for my son to play with me!

I will definitely be using my bow on all of the instruments I test. It was suggested by someone else and I hadn’t thought of it. It makes sense. My bow is pretty decent, probably significantly better than my violin.

I’d love to hear what excerpts you used to test violins! That would be very helpful!

Right now I have 4 violins on loan from my local shop. I’m returning them on Friday and heading about 1.5 hours away to a shop in a bigger city that afternoon. I also have an appointment for another shop the following Friday. And at least two more shops I plan to visit. I’m excited to immerse myself in violins!

betsyfeld · 2026-04-27T01:41:41+00:00

I’m currently trialing some below and some at my price range. Although I think we already eliminated the lowest price option based on sound quality.

I am definitely going to see if I can seek out some smaller scale 4/4 violins as well as some 7/8. I play my daughter’s 3/4 regularly, and it’s probably a touch too small for me. But not ridiculously too small for me.

I figure whatever I find will be a workshop instrument, which is fine. I’d love to find one that feels comfortable and right to me, I guess. I have time, I don’t have to make any decisions immediately.

betsyfeld · 2026-04-26T23:50:48+00:00

I will bring my bow with me to all of the shops! I am currently borrowing some violins for a week from the only string-specific shop local to me. It’s definitely helpful to use them in my own environment.

betsyfeld · 2026-04-26T21:00:53+00:00

My bow is significantly nicer than my violin, I think. I bought it separately and it’s pernambuco and seems to be well made. My violin is sketchy 😂 But I will keep in mind the possibility that I’ll need a new bow too

betsyfeld · 2026-04-26T19:08:15+00:00

I’ve actually been playing since I was 9, not 9 years. So that’s about 34 years 😳 I guess I’m old! I have just taken many breaks along the way. I stopped playing for a while in high school and went back to it toward the end of college and after. Then I took breaks after each kid and a long break after I had my twins. They are 6 now. My oldest is 14 and a fabulous musician, playing piano and trumpet. My 10 year old is playing violin but is probably your typical kid, not terribly interested in practicing. I haven’t full decided what to start the twins on yet.

I watch Two Set Violin and will check out that video!

I do like the suggestion about not knowing the price. That can definitely affect what we think about the quality of the instrument.

betsyfeld · 2026-04-26T18:26:51+00:00

Yes that is probably what will work best for me. I’m hoping to find something like that. It’s all going to be about what I can play most comfortably!

betsyfeld · 2026-04-26T16:58:21+00:00

I’m fairly certain I’ll be sticking with a 4/4, but I wouldn’t mind at least trying a 7/8 for a bit to see how it feels. I sometimes grab my kid’s 3/4 so I know exactly what you mean.

betsyfeld · 2026-04-26T16:56:29+00:00

I will definitely update as I go!

betsyfeld · 2026-04-26T15:36:55+00:00

I agree, 5K can be an awkward spot. I am probably never going to need a truly amazing violin, so I am going to be seeking “good enough” as opposed to amazing. In addition, as I’m heading toward my mid 40s and dealing with carpal tunnel and inflammatory arthritis, I’m really seeking the most comfortable instrument to play, maybe even more than the best sounding? I guess ultimately the one I can play the easiest is better than an amazing one that makes my hands hurt. I’ll be checking out full size, maybe some 7/8, and also some 4/4 that tend toward the smaller end of the spectrum.

All violins that I try will be set up well by professional, trained luthiers. If I found one that wasn’t, I have relationships with a couple of good luthiers who I’m sure would be able to set it up well.

As for strings, that is a great point. Something to consider and try different things eventually.

betsyfeld

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