The Violin

I'm in between jobs at the moment ad although I've got one lined up to start in a months time, I have decided to take up the violin. It'll stop me from playing Football Manager all day and I'll learn something, plus its always something I've wanted to do.

So my question is, is there anyone else here who plays the violin? If so, how long do you think it will be before I am semi-proficient at this instrument. I've played guitar for many years, and although they are completely different, I feel that some of the techniques that I've learned from playing the guitar will be transferable to the violin, or is this not true?

I have never played the violin before, I have never even picked one up, as a matter of fact, I havent even seen one up close, so on a whim I decided to buy one. My objective, is to be able to play "ashokan farewell" in one months time. I know the notes and how to play it on a guitar, but whether I wil be able to achieve this is another story...

Think its possible?

This is Ashokan farewell by the way, a beautifully haunting song by Jay Ungar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx6dxrhqPZY

I want to play the violin, but i wonder if being left-handed will be much different?

In what way? You'd play with a left handed violin (if there is such a thing) and then get on with it.

Absolutely bloody brilliant. This kind of spontaneity can take you in places you would never dream.....

i play the viola

And hows that working out for you? I've just had my first lesson with a really great teacher. Hes this little old guy with a full beard living in a tiny flat filled with hippy icons. Its brilliant, but it only served to help me realize how rubbish I am. I just cant even get a decent sound out of it yet.

How much progress have you made? Can you play a tune yet?

Originally Posted by Khozemnian

And hows that working out for you? I've just had my first lesson with a really great teacher. Hes this little old guy with a full beard living in a tiny flat filled with hippy icons. Its brilliant, but it only served to help me realize how rubbish I am. I just cant even get a decent sound out of it yet.

How much progress have you made? Can you play a tune yet?

was that directed at me?
if so, the answer is i initially staRted on the violion but switched at my violin teacher's insistence-he also played the viola. this musta been waaay back when i was 12-ish so 1997.
switching from violin to viola is interesting. the tone's richer and broader, as is the size o the instrument. i had trouble reading alto clef, but i got around it with a little trick i'll tell u. when ur in first position on the viola, pretend ur playing in the third position on the violin works like a charm.
as for getting a decent sound out of it, it's all gonna take practice mate. all the best violinists/violists got where they were by strenuously practicing. playing an instrument well is, i find 90% hard work, and 10% heart.

as for how far i got, i started playing for my A.mus. which is the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in NSW, but had to quit cuz of the stress of yr 12...
now it's been 5 yrs, and i wanna go back and play.....