I am strongly considering taking up the violin. I'm not very musical in that the only musical instrument i have played is the tin whistle. What is the best way of going about learning the violin? Group classes or private lessons? Does anyone know of such classes private lessons in Cork? Also how much would one expect to pay for such lessons? Is it a difficult instument to learn?? Apologies for all the questions!!
The tin whistle is a brilliant little instrument, no need to do it down. Yep, get some fiddle lessons. And make some mates who are also learning. And some mates who can already play, but not necessarily the violin. And I predict that people will chime in here saying it's quite difficult. Don't believe them, it's not.
I could kiss you Llig ~ BLEWCH! The tin whistle is an excellent start. Llig's comment says most of what I'd have contributed. I'm not sure where you are, but group lessons can be a good in... Definitely find someone to get some hands on guidance, to avoid developing bad habits early on that will be a pain to undo later on... Best of luck.
Cork! ~ duh! Check the music shops, they usually have boards that will advertise lessons, but also the local Comhaltas branches run regular classes and are usually very reasonable and well lead. Cork ~ the possibilities are many, lucky you...
I went from whistle to fiddle myself. For me, it seemed like a vastly more difficult instrument than the whistle for the first, well, it's complicated in my case. For the first however long it takes to be able to play a tune kind of passably. Anyway, once you get going you'll wonder why it felt so impossible at first.
One to one lessons are good, but when you are in a group you will practise harder as there will always be someone better! expect to pay up to 25 euro for half hour {Dub,Wicklow} this thing about handing down the tradition ! what a joke! show me the money!
I had about 6 one-on-one lesson and then moved to a group lesson setting. I think that is a good way to do it, quite often in a group setting the teacher cant focus on every single person so bad techinque can fall under the radar. If you get some one-on-one lessons and get your technique pointers and then move to the group lesson - that'd be a good way to do it. It is true that there is friendly rivalry in a group lesson and it just spurs you on a makes you practise that bit harder. Well - thats what I found anyway.
I've been having one on one lessons for almost a year with a really great fiddler now living in Toronto. At first, I didn't think I'd ever get the hang of it but now it's starting to come together. A good teacher, lots of practice and a lot of laughs makes for good progress. Moneywise, I think you get what you pay for.
Group lessons also put you in touch with people at roughly your same ability level with whom you can share experiences, ride to concerts and festivals with, go to sessions etc.
Boxielady -- are you taking lessons from Patrick? If so, you are very fortunate indeed!
Fidkid, Patrick is indeed my teacher and I'm well aware of how lucky I am. I was so terrible for the first six months I didn't see how he could stand it. Group lessons wouldn't have worked for me but now I'm playing with some other people and it's great fun. The problem for me now is that I play the box much less. I need more practice time.
Violin Lessons
Violin Lessons
Hey All
I am strongly considering taking up the violin. I'm not very musical in that the only musical instrument i have played is the tin whistle. What is the best way of going about learning the violin? Group classes or private lessons? Does anyone know of such classes private lessons in Cork? Also how much would one expect to pay for such lessons? Is it a difficult instument to learn?? Apologies for all the questions!!
# Posted on October 11th 2008 by Star08
Re: Violin Lessons
The tin whistle is a brilliant little instrument, no need to do it down. Yep, get some fiddle lessons. And make some mates who are also learning. And some mates who can already play, but not necessarily the violin. And I predict that people will chime in here saying it's quite difficult. Don't believe them, it's not.
# Posted on October 11th 2008 by ...
Re: Violin Lessons
I could kiss you Llig ~ BLEWCH! The tin whistle is an excellent start. Llig's comment says most of what I'd have contributed. I'm not sure where you are, but group lessons can be a good in... Definitely find someone to get some hands on guidance, to avoid developing bad habits early on that will be a pain to undo later on... Best of luck.
# Posted on October 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Violin Lessons
Cork! ~ duh! Check the music shops, they usually have boards that will advertise lessons, but also the local Comhaltas branches run regular classes and are usually very reasonable and well lead. Cork ~ the possibilities are many, lucky you...
http://comhaltas.ie/
I remember that classes and workshops were also listed in some of the folk mags there as well...
http://www.irishmusicmagazine.com/
# Posted on October 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Violin Lessons
I went from whistle to fiddle myself. For me, it seemed like a vastly more difficult instrument than the whistle for the first, well, it's complicated in my case. For the first however long it takes to be able to play a tune kind of passably. Anyway, once you get going you'll wonder why it felt so impossible at first.
# Posted on October 11th 2008 by Whiddler
Re: Violin Lessons
One to one lessons are good, but when you are in a group you will practise harder as there will always be someone better! expect to pay up to 25 euro for half hour {Dub,Wicklow} this thing about handing down the tradition ! what a joke! show me the money!
# Posted on October 11th 2008 by lilyot
Re: Violin Lessons
I had about 6 one-on-one lesson and then moved to a group lesson setting. I think that is a good way to do it, quite often in a group setting the teacher cant focus on every single person so bad techinque can fall under the radar. If you get some one-on-one lessons and get your technique pointers and then move to the group lesson - that'd be a good way to do it. It is true that there is friendly rivalry in a group lesson and it just spurs you on a makes you practise that bit harder. Well - thats what I found anyway.
# Posted on October 12th 2008 by bb
Re: Violin Lessons
I've been having one on one lessons for almost a year with a really great fiddler now living in Toronto. At first, I didn't think I'd ever get the hang of it but now it's starting to come together. A good teacher, lots of practice and a lot of laughs makes for good progress. Moneywise, I think you get what you pay for.
# Posted on October 12th 2008 by boxielady
Re: Violin Lessons
Group lessons also put you in touch with people at roughly your same ability level with whom you can share experiences, ride to concerts and festivals with, go to sessions etc.
Boxielady -- are you taking lessons from Patrick? If so, you are very fortunate indeed!
# Posted on October 12th 2008 by fidkid
Re: Violin Lessons
Fidkid, Patrick is indeed my teacher and I'm well aware of how lucky I am. I was so terrible for the first six months I didn't see how he could stand it. Group lessons wouldn't have worked for me but now I'm playing with some other people and it's great fun. The problem for me now is that I play the box much less. I need more practice time.
# Posted on October 12th 2008 by boxielady