When it comes to how long it takes to learn violin fundamentals, the answer is ultimately not very long. The difficulty emerges while attempting to learn how to play the violin well. It takes time and effort to learn this difficult instrument!
Those claiming to have learned the violin in a few months and definitely not giving you the full picture. You might be able to play a simple piece, but it won’t be enough to play along without scratching and squeaking.
However, you can definitely learn a decent amount of basics of playing violin in 6 months provided you practice regularly.
The Learning Progression
For the first few months, you learn how to pluck, bow open strings, and learn about quarter notes and quarter rests. You will develop the ability to play simple melodies and gradually gain greater control bowing the open strings.
With time, you will start using your bow to play songs. You will be able to play pop, classical, folk, and holiday songs. After a great deal of practice, you will learn how to bounce the bow and play faster with more accuracy alongside playing in keys other than D and A major.
In your second year, you will be able to play all the notes in the first position. You might also want to learn how to play with vibrato, which gives you a more sophisticated sound. Like most skills, the more time you spend practicing the violin, the better you get.
Selecting Your Instrument
The most critical step in this process is picking a violin that is a perfect match for you before delving fully into your newfound love of learning to play the violin.
You will want one that looks well, feels good on your shoulder, and, most importantly, sounds fantastic. Do not settle with the first violin you see in a music store since a substandard instrument might hinder your progress as a performer.
It is best to do your research and see what works for you. You could choose to buy a brand new violin or a used one. You could even choose to rent a violin during the early stages. The choice is yours.
Tips for Beginners
Learning the violin can be excruciating. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Study the music theory
- Warm up every time you play
- Practice scales and fundamental violin exercises daily
- Learn to tune the strings
- Purchase a chromatic tuner to guarantee that your violin is tuned properly
- Learn how to clean, store, and care for your violin
- Learn sheet music with violin tabs
The Conclusion
The length of time it takes to study the violin is determined by your personal objectives and how far you want to progress. To stay motivated, keep this map visible so you can view your goals at all times.
The fact is that everyone learns at their own pace, so there’s no way to predict how long it will take you to master the violin.
