violin lessons at the age of 49
By Qaeyious
@Qaeyious (2357)
United States
February 3, 2007 7:43pm CST
January was my fourth full month of violin lessons, and I will be paying for a fifth. The second and third months had me wondering what I got myself into, and also if I wanted to pursue it further. But yes, although my fingers don't quite hit the mark exactly, at least my bowing is a lot better, and I no longer sound like a dying animal - albeit a tone deaf one.
My left wrist still hurts when playing a short while, having to have it twisted so that my fingers fall along the same string, but now I manage to the end of a short song.
Changing strings is done by an arm movement that is quite uncomfortable when doing the G string (the lowest pitch). I broke that arm (at the ball of the humerus) late 2005, I thought I was over it, but a recent chiropracter visit found that the muscles in the area very tight, making free movement more challenging than most.
But the moments when everything turns out right, even if only for few moments - I do the bowing right, I do the fingering right, everything is right where it should be - and that it is me making those kinds of sounds - yes, I am going to continue my lessons and practicing.
Sorry, neighbors :D
4 responses
@Bizziebod (3497)
•
7 Feb 07
Well done to you, keep up the good work, those professional violinists make it look so easy don't they?? I'm sure your aches and pains will be worth it 'no pain, no gain' so they say! Good luck with it all!
1 person likes this
@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Yay! you made your 500 quota ::dances in celebration::
::(and of course brings violin for the occasion):: :)
I went to a Christmas concert in December to watch some in action. I was learning string shifting at the time and actually observe them doing the exact same thing my teacher showed me, moving the left and right elbows at the same time or one after the other as they went from string to string.
That's but another aspect of playing that I am still learning to piece together as I do everything at once.
I'll get there eventually.
Thank you very much.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
4 Feb 07
I really admire you for what you are learning and ultimately achieving. Age shouldn't matter for learning anything! Even people in their 80s are learning new things. Keep up the good work, do you get a certificate/qualification at the end of it?
1 person likes this
@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
4 Feb 07
Grandma Moses being the most famous example, taking up painting at 70 (or was she 80?) She has works that are featured in various museums. And no, no certificate or degree (I joked with some people that maybe I should get a license - for ear piercing). As I told my teacher when she took me, this is solely for my enlightenment.
Thank you very much.
@ShadyGrove (996)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I think that is just great that you are taking lessons!
Is this something you've wanted to do for a long time?
I really like violin music - it must be a challenging instrument to begin playing. Keep it up though and soon your neighbors will be leaving their windows open in hopes of hearing you play!!!
1 person likes this
@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I was musically inactive for decades except an occasional recorder song. I was curious about them, about how the physics of it works but I figured I would never be able to afford one. I knew they sold on eBay for $50 or so, but I suspected the quality would be questionable.
Then I found one in a Target store, for $100. I thought about it for several days, then decided to plunge in. I didn't trust teaching myself, so I'm paying for professional lessons.
The challlenge for me so far is putting everything together, doing the bowing at the correct angle and pressure while at the same time putting the finger down at the correct position and pressure, AND getting ready for the next movement necessary to play the next note. When I get better, I should be doing it with groups notes instead of one at a time.
Thank you for responding.
@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
4 Feb 07
ah, piano's easy. You push a button, it plays a note :D
It's never too late, though I do wish I had thought of starting earlier in my life. So don't delay! Choose your weapon and create.
I acquired a book, "Tone Deaf & All Thumbs?" by Frank R. Wilson that looks interesting (I just started it) - the main topic is about brain and muscle activity while making music, and emphasizes that it is never to late to start.
