Violin tips for a beginner?

Question:I know my best bet is hiring a teacher, but its not in the budget right now...

I also know that where there are shortcuts to playing the guitar, like knowing some basic chord shapes and playing a song - I see no shortcuts with the violin.

Its frustrating, because I can write songs and play them, (www.myspace.com/darkmarkandthelight), but not with my violin, and its aggravating because the violin is one of the most beautiful instruments I ever heard!

-Where exactly do I apply the tape on the neck?
-Are there chord shapes I could learn, as with the guitar?
-Any tips? Or websites?

Thanks!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I know my best bet is hiring a teacher, but its not in the budget right now...

I also know that where there are shortcuts to playing the guitar, like knowing some basic chord shapes and playing a song - I see no shortcuts with the violin.

Its frustrating, because I can write songs and play them, (www.myspace.com/darkmarkandthelight), but not with my violin, and its aggravating because the violin is one of the most beautiful instruments I ever heard!

-Where exactly do I apply the tape on the neck?
-Are there chord shapes I could learn, as with the guitar?
-Any tips? Or websites?

Thanks!

get yourself a book on the violin for fingering, it will tell you where all the notes are, but you wont be able to play chords, only 2 strings are able to be played at a time, but with practice you will be able to play them close to each other.

i would not stick tape on the neck as when you eventually take it off your fingers and strings may stick to it, i would use some chalk or a marker pencil to show you where the fingers go, but as you get higher up the neck the harder it will be for you to see them while your playing.

i would get yourself an instructor as fast as you can, there is alot involved in learning and you could easily get into bad habits.

you can't play chords with the violin because you can only hit a max of 2 strings at a time.

You can place the tape wherever you want, but usually they put it at the first and third finger positions until you learn where to properly position to hit the notes accurately.

My grade schooler is taking the violin.

His book is "Essential Elements 2000 plus DVD for strings"

its produced by hal leonard corp.

the dvd is very helpful and i think would be great for a beginner. it cost 8 bucks!

good luck and congratulations!

I admire your ambition and think it's great that you write songs but you are choosing the hard way by wanting to play them on the violin. This is one of the hardest instruments to master and really does need a teacher as there are so many things you need to know before you can start to make music; like how to hold it, the bow grip, stance, etc.

Also, the violin is not really a chord-playing instrument although this is possible after a certain level. The violin is really a melodic instrument - used to play single line melodies. My advice would be to try a simpler instrument like a keyboard or guitar and if you really are set on the violin then see if you can meet someone who plays to give you a few tips to get started. Good luck.

Violin Fingerboard
http://beststudentviolins.com/fingerboar...

Internet Resources for Violin Students
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