Learning something new, especially as an adult, can be intimidating — and the violin is no exception. Whether you’re a first-time musician, haven’t picked up an instrument since elementary school, or somewhere in-between, you might wonder: “Is it even possible to teach myself violin?” This guide will help you decide whether teaching yourself violin is the right option and give you tips on how to stick with it.
Can I Teach Myself To Play the Violin?
Yes, you can teach yourself almost any instrument, including the violin, with a bit of determination and patience. However, remember that training yourself to play an instrument tends to be much more complex than learning with an instructor, especially if this is your first time learning to play an instrument.
Benefits of Professional Lessons vs Self-Learning Violin
Are you trying to decide whether to take lessons or teach yourself the violin? These tips will help you determine which one is right for you. Don’t forget that you don’t have to stick to just one thing; you might start with a few lessons, then teach yourself from there, or teach yourself the basics and then enroll in more advanced lessons.
Benefits of Self-Taught Violin
There are some benefits to teaching yourself to play the violin, including:
- Less expensive: If you’re looking to save money, teaching yourself an instrument can be much cheaper than paying for professional lessons.
- Less pressure: If you don’t have much time to dedicate to practice, teaching yourself can fit your lifestyle better without the costs of lessons.
- More flexible: If you have an unusual or rigid work schedule, teaching yourself violin can allow you to practice when and where you want without being tied to a lesson schedule.
- Easy way to try something new: Teaching yourself violin can be a good option if you’re unsure whether or not you’ll enjoy playing, don’t have major musical goals, or just want to try something different.
Benefits of Professional Violin Lessons
Learning to play violin from a teacher can also have benefits, including:
- Accountability: When you pay for lessons and attend them regularly, you may feel more obligated to practice. Your violin teacher will also hold you accountable for practicing and improving your skills.
- Faster progression: With professional instruction, you will likely progress faster than if you were to teach yourself. Your instructor will be able to answer specific questions and help you improve where you may not realize you need help.
- Structured practice: Your violin instructor will give you specific songs, bow techniques, and skills to practice between lessons. This structured practice will help you improve and work towards your own unique goals.
- Exposure to playing opportunities: When you take formal lessons, you may have the chance to play with groups, perform at concerts, and connect with other players through your instructor or music school.
- More customized instruction: You can find videos and books to learn from when you teach yourself. However, a professional instructor can customize your lessons to meet your specific needs and work towards your individual goals instead of only providing more generalized information.
Advice for Self-Taught Violinists
While there are plenty of benefits to seeking professional violin lessons, teaching yourself may be the best option for your goals and lifestyle! These tips will help you hit the ground running if you decide to pursue self-taught music.
1. Develop a Strict Practice Regiment
Discipline is one of the most critical factors in becoming competent at an instrument. Develop a structured practice schedule to which you hold yourself, and keep a practice journal. This will help ensure that you continue to progress and work on your violin skills often, just like you would if you were taking formal lessons.
Finding an accountability partner is one way to help you stick to your new instrument. This could be a friend, family member, or even someone online from a violin community. Tell them about your practice schedule, and agree to hold each other accountable – even if they aren’t playing violin, they may need accountability for something like going to the gym daily.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Professional Help Where Needed
Sometimes, you simply can’t do everything on your own. If you’re intent on teaching yourself to play an instrument, enlist the help of a professional when you need it. This could look like:
- Consulting your local music store for help selecting your first violin and bow
- Buying a pre-made video series or book from a professional to learn new skills
- Consulting forums, industry blogs, and books for tips
3. Get Involved in Local Groups
Once you learn the basics, consider joining a local group. Depending on your skill level and goals, you may be able to find a local hobby group where you can develop and learn from others. It could be anything from a few neighbors who get together to jam to a full-fledged community orchestra.
Your local library can be an excellent resource for finding these kinds of groups, but beginner hobbyist groups may be limited in some areas. If that’s the case, consider getting involved in an online community. Alternatively, you could try to convince a friend or family member to learn.
4. Take Occasional Lessons
Even if you don’t want to take weekly or monthly lessons, the occasional lesson can be an excellent way to audit your skills and find knowledge gaps. “Check-in” lessons can help keep you on track toward your goals, work through plateaus, and get a secondary opinion.
5. Be Kind to Yourself — and Patient
Teaching yourself an instrument, especially as an adult, is difficult. In fact, there are countless people out there who dream of doing just that but are too scared to start! So it’s essential to be kind and patient with yourself.
You’re doing something hard and possibly even scary, and that’s something to be proud of. Whether you discover a hidden talent or simply find a new hobby that makes you happy, playing music can add joy and depth to your life.
Turn to CodaBow for Carbon Fiber Student Violin Bows
A quality, intentionally crafted student bow can make a world of difference in your progress, especially if you choose the self-taught route. Shop CodaBow for carbon fiber student violin bows, and don’t forget to come back when it’s time to upgrade to a professional bow.
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