Chephi Posted March 31, 1999 Report Posted March 31, 1999 I started playing the violin again in an emsemble after 15 years of no practice and study. I started playing the violin at age twelve though I was interested at age four when a pre-K teacher placed one in my hands. I had eight years of intense private violin study and was privileged to go to the High School of Music & Art for four years as well as All-City HS Orhestra, a community orhestra and summer music camp and was planning to go to college as a music major but never try various colleges but one and didn't get in. Now, though most of my playing ability is retained, I am having difficultly with bow boucing and scratchy sounds. Do you (anyone) think it is because I haven't play consistantly on the violin or perhaps I need a better violin? My violin does need the minor repairs and my bow hair is dirty (a salesman from a music store checked my instrument but said it does not need re-hairing). I feel insecure and frustrated because I had the same problems, except for the bouncing, years ago but when I played on my teacher's violin and violin by one of the Philidelphia Orchestra's violinst (years ago)I sounded wonderful. I knew the quality of the violin and make or break how you sound to others and can reduce the chance of playing for certain musicial bands and it's hard to let other musicans know that it's not always the player. I guess I need someone to let me know that sometimes it is the instrument itself and not always my playing ability. I need encouagment. Please response.
Ben Posted March 31, 1999 Report Posted March 31, 1999 Hi. I think it's great that you're playing again! Bouncy bow, that's always nice. That's probably because you haven't played in so long. The muscles in your bowing arm aren't used to the position. It's like when you exercise for the first time, doing things that you aren't used to, you shake, or really tremble would be a better word. Well, it could be your equipment. If you are serious about playing, look into a better instrument. I got my nice old fiddle for about $600. It's an old German violin from around 1925. It was the student instrument of the day, but is as good as, or better than many of today's "professional" violins. Or, look into a new bow, I just got a great bow for a little over $600. What about the bow hair? Did you take it to a violin shop, or a music store? Try lots of rosin. Good Luck, and have fun. Ben
Lenny Posted March 31, 1999 Report Posted March 31, 1999 It's really great that you're playing again. Might I suggest that you not rush straight into buying another instrument but give yourself time to get used to playing again first? Maybe in the meantime you could just try some other instruments to see what happens with your tone. As far as your current instrument goes, I wouldn't have any expensive repairs done for the moment, but I'm wondering if the set-up is OK. Do you use strings which suit your instrument? I have found that different strings can make a huge difference in the tone of an instrument (I had trouble with Dominants on my violin for ages, especially when new, and thought it was the instrument, then someone suggested I try Tonicas - huge improvement in tone). Also I think it takes instruments a while to develop their tone again if they haven't been played for a long time.Good luck with it. Lenny
David Posted March 31, 1999 Report Posted March 31, 1999 Do you know about the trick of holding the bow with just the index and ring fingers (and thumb, of course) with the other fingers lifted? Some practice like this may help reduce bounce when you return back to the normal grip. Also try various tensions on the hair and maybe a heavier or lighter bow.
Pascal Posted March 31, 1999 Report Posted March 31, 1999 Hi, I too came back to my violin a couple of years ago, after almost 8 years of "absence". Besides my stiff fingers and right arm, I had to take it to a luthier for maintenance, because some parts were getting loose (not something I would have seen myself, though). I also put a new set of strings... and I was back in my teenage years Ah, I also got new rosin (the old one was sticky and too coarse). You might want to check this out too. Anyways, you should leave some time for your violin to "get rid of its sand". Those babies are worse than tamaguchis Good luck, Pascal. : [...] Now, though most of my playing ability is retained, I am having difficultly with bow boucing and scratchy sounds. Do you (anyone) think it is because I haven't play consistantly on the violin or perhaps I need a better violin? My violin does need the minor repairs and my bow hair is dirty (a salesman from a music store checked my instrument but said it does not need re-hairing). I feel insecure and frustrated because I had the same problems, except for the bouncing, years ago but when I played on my teacher's violin and violin by one of the Philidelphia Orchestra's violinst (years ago)I sounded wonderful. I knew the quality of the violin and make or break how you sound to others and can reduce the chance of playing for certain musicial bands and it's hard to let other musicans know that it's not always the player. I guess I need someone to let me know that sometimes it is the instrument itself and not always my playing ability. I need encouagment. Please response.
M.Alice Posted March 31, 1999 Report Posted March 31, 1999 Dear Player, Don't listen to the salesman- if your bow hair is dirty and hasn't been changed for many years, you need new hair! And what about new strings? You probably need those as well after all that time- try some good strings by Piastro, like the gut Eudoxa strings. How about a teacher to help you polish up and regain your skills? Take your violin to the luthier and let him give at a "make-over" - after a long time in the case, who knows what kind of care it might need. Give yourself time to get in to it again! Getting upset and frustrated will only make you more tense and thus make your playing even worse! Good luck! Melinda I started playing the violin again in an emsemble after 15 years of no practice and study. I started playing the violin at age twelve though I was interested at age four when a pre-K teacher placed one in my hands. I had eight years of intense private violin study and was privileged to go to the High School of Music & Art for four years as well as All-City HS Orhestra, a community orhestra and summer music camp and was planning to go to college as a music major but never try various colleges but one and didn't get in. Now, though most of my playing ability is retained, I am having difficultly with bow boucing and scratchy sounds. Do you (anyone) think it is because I haven't play consistantly on the violin or perhaps I need a better violin? My violin does need the minor repairs and my bow hair is dirty (a salesman from a music store checked my instrument but said it does not need re-hairing). I feel insecure and frustrated because I had the same problems, except for the bouncing, years ago but when I played on my teacher's violin and violin by one of the Philidelphia Orchestra's violinst (years ago)I sounded wonderful. I knew the quality of the violin and make or break how you sound to others and can reduce the chance of playing for certain musicial bands and it's hard to let other musicans know that it's not always the player. I guess I need someone to let me know that sometimes it is the instrument itself and not always my playing ability. I need encouagment. Please response.
AnnA Posted March 31, 1999 Report Posted March 31, 1999 Hi, It is cool that you start playing again. Just start slowly and be patient. If you could do it 15 years ago, you definitely can do it now; the skill is always in my brain, you just have to find a way to recall it. I am just curious about how you all the sudden stop playing for many year. You mean, not touching the violin AT ALL for 15 years? Anna : I started playing the violin again in an emsemble after 15 years of no practice and study. I started playing the violin at age twelve though I was interested at age four when a pre-K teacher placed one in my hands. I had eight years of intense private violin study and was privileged to go to the High School of Music & Art for four years as well as All-City HS Orhestra, a community orhestra and summer music camp and was planning to go to college as a music major but never try various colleges but one and didn't get in. Now, though most of my playing ability is retained, I am having difficultly with bow boucing and scratchy sounds. Do you (anyone) think it is because I haven't play consistantly on the violin or perhaps I need a better violin? My violin does need the minor repairs and my bow hair is dirty (a salesman from a music store checked my instrument but said it does not need re-hairing). I feel insecure and frustrated because I had the same problems, except for the bouncing, years ago but when I played on my teacher's violin and violin by one of the Philidelphia Orchestra's violinst (years ago)I sounded wonderful. I knew the quality of the violin and make or break how you sound to others and can reduce the chance of playing for certain musicial bands and it's hard to let other musicans know that it's not always the player. I guess I need someone to let me know that sometimes it is the instrument itself and not always my playing ability. I need encouagment. Please response.
murray Posted March 31, 1999 Report Posted March 31, 1999 But here's why I stopped playing for 15 years... In high school there was room in my class schedule for one extra-curricular so I had to choose between orchestra and varsity sports (x-country, indoor track, outdoor track). I could have kept up my lessons and not played in the orchestra but I don't think I would have had time for studying, sports, and doing what teenagers love to do the most - hanging out with my friends. Thus I turned in my violin (a rental) at the end of 8th grade and never touched one again until 15 years later at age 28! I know a lot of people that were forced to make this choice, especially because the elementary schools mandate that you take an instrument or sing in the choir. Then as you get older and your interests expand and music is no longer a requisite for your grade, you drop the instrument in favor of other activities. : Hi, : It is cool that you start playing again. Just start slowly and be patient. If you could do it 15 years ago, you definitely can do it now; the skill is always in my brain, you just have to find a way to recall it. : I am just curious about how you all the sudden stop playing for many year. You mean, not touching the violin AT ALL for 15 years? : Anna : : I started playing the violin again in an emsemble after 15 years of no practice and study. I started playing the violin at age twelve though I was interested at age four when a pre-K teacher placed one in my hands. I had eight years of intense private violin study and was privileged to go to the High School of Music & Art for four years as well as All-City HS Orhestra, a community orhestra and summer music camp and was planning to go to college as a music major but never try various colleges but one and didn't get in. Now, though most of my playing ability is retained, I am having difficultly with bow boucing and scratchy sounds. Do you (anyone) think it is because I haven't play consistantly on the violin or perhaps I need a better violin? My violin does need the minor repairs and my bow hair is dirty (a salesman from a music store checked my instrument but said it does not need re-hairing). I feel insecure and frustrated because I had the same problems, except for the bouncing, years ago but when I played on my teacher's violin and violin by one of the Philidelphia Orchestra's violinst (years ago)I sounded wonderful. I knew the quality of the violin and make or break how you sound to others and can reduce the chance of playing for certain musicial bands and it's hard to let other musicans know that it's not always the player. I guess I need someone to let me know that sometimes it is the instrument itself and not always my playing ability. I need encouagment. Please response.
Chephi Posted April 1, 1999 Author Report Posted April 1, 1999 : Hi, : It is cool that you start playing again. Just start slowly and be patient. If you could do it 15 years ago, you definitely can do it now; the skill is always in my brain, you just have to find a way to recall it. : I am just curious about how you all the sudden stop playing for many year. You mean, not touching the violin AT ALL for 15 years? Hello Anna and Murray. I really didn't want to say too much, it's a long story but here's a short one. Two main reasons I had stopped playing "seriously" for fifteen years were lack of counsel and discourgement. I wanted to make music a career choise but didn't really know what to do about it. There were people in my life at the time who didn't really understand my desire to become a violinist instead of becoming a nurse (parents' idea). The friends I had were of two influences, my neighbor who all they wanted to do is hang out and my music friends were who were not focus on having a music career. Around the age of twenty-three, the eleven piece band I was in for about three years broke up (the director purchased a synthesizer to replace the string section as well as other instrutments in the band) and made it a six member band. I was quite discouraged. I literately stop playing. I would pick the violin up from time to time. At one point, tried to take lessons but the travel to his home was too much (1 1/2 travel time at night). I just decided to change career paths and now I'm an admininstive asst.. About seven years ago, the church I now attend has some people from my high school who remembered how well I played and asked the same question. It is because of a couple of those who remembered who took the time to spoke words of encourgement and really didn't want the gift to be wasted that I am now part of the band of this church. It's is important to know what to do for anything you want to master in life. Without clear directions, one can't do much but sit around wasting time. I just wanted to thank those who responsed to this post. It was just what I needed to start correctly. Thank again. Peace. : Anna : : I started playing the violin again in an emsemble after 15 years of no practice and study. I started playing the violin at age twelve though I was interested at age four when a pre-K teacher placed one in my hands. I had eight years of intense private violin study and was privileged to go to the High School of Music & Art for four years as well as All-City HS Orhestra, a community orhestra and summer music camp and was planning to go to college as a music major but never try various colleges but one and didn't get in. Now, though most of my playing ability is retained, I am having difficultly with bow boucing and scratchy sounds. Do you (anyone) think it is because I haven't play consistantly on the violin or perhaps I need a better violin? My violin does need the minor repairs and my bow hair is dirty (a salesman from a music store checked my instrument but said it does not need re-hairing). I feel insecure and frustrated because I had the same problems, except for the bouncing, years ago but when I played on my teacher's violin and violin by one of the Philidelphia Orchestra's violinst (years ago)I sounded wonderful. I knew the quality of the violin and make or break how you sound to others and can reduce the chance of playing for certain musicial bands and it's hard to let other musicans know that it's not always the player. I guess I need someone to let me know that sometimes it is the instrument itself and not always my playing ability. I need encouagment. Please response.
tc Posted April 1, 1999 Report Posted April 1, 1999 Congratulations on starting again. It really is amazing how much difference the equipment can make and -like you said- how hard it can be to figure out whether a problem is because of your technique or your equipment. Why not take your violin to the luthier and try different bows?
Guest Posted April 2, 1999 Report Posted April 2, 1999 Hello Chephi I picked up my cello after an absence of almost 30 years and was also unhappy that my fingers had forgotten so much. Passages that I used to throw off effortlessly I stumbled over. My frustration was great. Our trouble is that we all start to play so young that we soon forget what learning is all about. It's been quite an eyeopener for me how going back to scales and studies has helped me regain a measure of my former touch. I told friends that I,d be ready to give a recital in 6 months - after that period I have now revised that to "maybe in 18 months time". I'm finding more nuances in the music than before and a great feeling of achievement when I've nailed a phrase with a better fingering than I used before and with better expression. I did change my strings and have my bow rehaired in an attempt to find a shortcut to yesterday - but it wasn't the instant success that I hoped for. Scratchiness, clumsy bowing and poor intonation responded better to practice than to money. I will admit that the new A & D strings are easier to play on than those of 30 years ago - but not so the G & C. Initially I thought of changing to another make of string but fortunately soon discovered that a slightly different attack on the start of a note produced the clean entry that I wanted - and now I wouldn't dream of changing them. Welcome back and make beautiful music - edi
Mimi Posted April 4, 1999 Report Posted April 4, 1999 :yes, interesting, and conversly, my sons ended up not taking any physical education at all in High school because they were each in orchestra for 4 years. What a choice!! Schools don't offer nearly enough "elective" hours and many schools are in the process of offering even less ! M Glad you came back
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