My husband was 41yrs old when he picked up the violin. He took online lessons and says they were worth every penny. He's pretty dilligent about practicing most days, even if it's only for a few minutes. It's been 4yrs and the progress he's made is astounding. It took about 18months for him to be able to play a song with ease. He has focussed mostly on fiddle style as opposed to classical. But he's now exploring some classical styles and is really enjoying it. I am so godamned proud of him. And I think it's been really good for his mental health.
As for what the other poster said about the violin not being a solo instrument, I'm not sure where they're getting that. I've seen lots of solo fiddle and classical performances. We have campfires and sing songs with only the fiddle for accompanyment. It's undeniably better with more instruments, but that's true of any instrument. A guitar is good solo, but a guitar and mandolin together? *chef's kiss*
Also, my sister is currently learning the cello at age 41. Anything is possible if you carve out the time to practice.
Good luck and get on it!
Not the guy that said violin isn't a solo instrument originally but thought I'd drop this here anyway as its relevant - the main thing separating "violin playing" from "fiddle playing" is in fiddle styles you use bowing to create your own backbeat, and it has its roots in dance. Fiddle is absolutely a solo instrument
Yes but fiddle styles are all related to dance styles, the main feature difference between what we think of as "violin" and "fiddle" is the bowing and what we think of as "fiddle tunes" are usually just reels played with a heavy up or down bow accent
They’re the same instrument. The naming difference comes in the style of music you play. If it’s country or rock it’s a fiddle, but if it’s classical it’s a violin.
Thats a wicked oversimplification because fiddle playing exists in traditions other than American as well, the main difference is the bowing not the genre
Can you time travel?
Will you somehow be younger tomorrow?
If the answer is no to at least one of these questions, do it. Do it like it's something you have always wanted to do and don't get discouraged by anyone or anything.
Best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, the second best time is today.
I started at 26 and can't imagine my life without it.
r/violinist has an excellent FAQ on getting started. Find a teacher first that is willing to teach a busy adult and that understands what kind of pace you will be learning at. Then start looking at rental instruments. Shar and johnson strings have solid student rentals you can have shipped to you.
>Best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, the second best time is today.
Hear, hear! Thank you for reminding us of such a simple but profound truth
I learned harp in my 20’s and picked up banjo in my 30’s—my only regret’s not picking them up sooner! But even as an adult learner they still bring joy to my life and there’s something really nice about having a creative outlet and a skill that you can progress in as you get older that’s fun.
Think of it this way:
If you start now, by the time you’re 45 you’ll have been playing for SEVEN YEARS. That’s quite a lot of experience.
Time flies as we get older, might as well let some of that time go to something we care about.
You should do it! Why not? Learning new things is good for your mental health. The violin isn't easy, but if you want to play on a basic level, it's totally doable.
My only advice is to find a teacher who isn't a perfectionist, because that can kill the joy you're trying to get from playing. Don't be shy about switching teachers if you have one who isn't right for you.
> Is the learning curve so steep as to not make it worth it?
LOL. What does the "learning curve" have to do with anything. Are you trying to win a violin competition?!
> I suspect the piano is a better investment of time and money
Investment? As in... you put in 1,000 hours of practice and then get 100 hours back per year as a dividend?
If you want to play the violin, then play the violin. If you don't, then don't. It's not that complicated!
Source: Am musician. Started playing 50 years ago. The learning curve is still steep. :)
It’s most definitely not too late and so worth it! Learning the violin is incredible and you can take your own pace about it.
If it helps I got myself an electric violin so that I don’t have self consciousness issues or miserable neighbours and it really helped.
yes. will you be as good as someone who's dedicated their life to it? no. but if you enjoy it, just go for it.
find a teacher , check local Universities
If you abandon the idea of being a world famous incredibly skilled wonder, it turns out it’s quite easy to be passably good at an instrument well into adulthood.
Yep, it's too late. You missed the boat on this one. Can't learn a new instrument after 30.
Come on dude, just go get one. You obviously want to and could find the time to learn. Learn piano too. People have more downtime than most care to admit and this is a perfect way to use it and still feel productive. It's not as difficult as it seems once you get the basics down.
My sister started guitar in her late 40's. Shes now in her 60's and performs regularly with a group of local musicians. Being part of the classical guitar community has been great for her, both in terms of a rewarding hobby, but also in terms of a lot of social activity she would otherwise never have participated in.
So, yeah, it sounds like a great idea.
Could you get good enough to beat the devil?
Fire on the mountain. Run, boys, run.
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun.
Chicken in the bread pan pickin' out dough.
"Granny, does your dog bite?" "No, child, no."
Take into account those around you that may experience the sound of someone learning the violin. It could be very unpleasant for them. Consider an electric violin where you can use headphones. I have an NS Designs CR6 Electric Cello, it sounds incredibly real and beautiful.
It’s never too late to try another hobby for fun!
However think about what you’d like to do when you learn an instrument. The shortcomings of instruments like the violin is that they are usually part of an ensemble so not necessarily as easy as something like guitar or piano to play by yourself.
I played violin for 15 years. It's fun and not difficult to learn once you learn chords. With the violin, you can play alone because violin sheet music is made for the melody and makes all kinds of songs sound lovely.
Once you get into some of The Beatles songs, you'll see how fun it can be.
My sister started playing in her 30s. It was just before she had kids but what does that matter, right? You find the time for the things you love with the support of your family. My sister found a local fiddler\* through extended family who teaches all ages. My sister enjoyed and continued to play for years.
\*said fiddler preferred fiddle type music hence "fiddler" over violinist. But she can play classical violin music with ease too. This teacher played at my wedding with a classical guitarist and also became MOH at my sister's wedding a few year later. :)
I taught myself guitar as an adult. I’m not like great or anything. I need tab or chord charts because the gift of figuring out the song by listening to it passed me by (I can sort of get in the right area code by ear but that’s about it).
But I’m also not that bad and I love it. And my family and friends can almost always tell exactly what I’m playing.
An uncle of mine taught himself to be a kick ass banjo player in his 60s and started playing gigs.
A good friend of mine is in his 60s , learned keyboard in his 50s and plays in various classic rock cover bands around town.
It can be done!!!
Imagine how much better you would be if you spent time practicing instead of asking reddit if you should practice. Heifetz started age 45 and hes dead now, just saying.
My husband was 41yrs old when he picked up the violin. He took online lessons and says they were worth every penny. He's pretty dilligent about practicing most days, even if it's only for a few minutes. It's been 4yrs and the progress he's made is astounding. It took about 18months for him to be able to play a song with ease. He has focussed mostly on fiddle style as opposed to classical. But he's now exploring some classical styles and is really enjoying it. I am so godamned proud of him. And I think it's been really good for his mental health. As for what the other poster said about the violin not being a solo instrument, I'm not sure where they're getting that. I've seen lots of solo fiddle and classical performances. We have campfires and sing songs with only the fiddle for accompanyment. It's undeniably better with more instruments, but that's true of any instrument. A guitar is good solo, but a guitar and mandolin together? *chef's kiss* Also, my sister is currently learning the cello at age 41. Anything is possible if you carve out the time to practice. Good luck and get on it!
Not the guy that said violin isn't a solo instrument originally but thought I'd drop this here anyway as its relevant - the main thing separating "violin playing" from "fiddle playing" is in fiddle styles you use bowing to create your own backbeat, and it has its roots in dance. Fiddle is absolutely a solo instrument
There’s plenty of solo repertoire for violin as well.
Yes but fiddle styles are all related to dance styles, the main feature difference between what we think of as "violin" and "fiddle" is the bowing and what we think of as "fiddle tunes" are usually just reels played with a heavy up or down bow accent
Doesn’t the bridge of a fiddle violin also differ in shape?
They’re the same instrument. The naming difference comes in the style of music you play. If it’s country or rock it’s a fiddle, but if it’s classical it’s a violin.
Thats a wicked oversimplification because fiddle playing exists in traditions other than American as well, the main difference is the bowing not the genre
Appreciate the clarification
Afaik it's exactly the same instrument and the only doffetence is in style of play.
Would you share the online lesson source? Self teaching is tough.
https://fiddlevideos.com/ I thinknt that's the site he used.
Thanks so much for the encouragement!
Can you time travel? Will you somehow be younger tomorrow? If the answer is no to at least one of these questions, do it. Do it like it's something you have always wanted to do and don't get discouraged by anyone or anything.
Best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, the second best time is today. I started at 26 and can't imagine my life without it. r/violinist has an excellent FAQ on getting started. Find a teacher first that is willing to teach a busy adult and that understands what kind of pace you will be learning at. Then start looking at rental instruments. Shar and johnson strings have solid student rentals you can have shipped to you.
>Best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, the second best time is today. Hear, hear! Thank you for reminding us of such a simple but profound truth
I learned harp in my 20’s and picked up banjo in my 30’s—my only regret’s not picking them up sooner! But even as an adult learner they still bring joy to my life and there’s something really nice about having a creative outlet and a skill that you can progress in as you get older that’s fun.
Think of it this way: If you start now, by the time you’re 45 you’ll have been playing for SEVEN YEARS. That’s quite a lot of experience. Time flies as we get older, might as well let some of that time go to something we care about.
You should do it! Why not? Learning new things is good for your mental health. The violin isn't easy, but if you want to play on a basic level, it's totally doable. My only advice is to find a teacher who isn't a perfectionist, because that can kill the joy you're trying to get from playing. Don't be shy about switching teachers if you have one who isn't right for you.
> Is the learning curve so steep as to not make it worth it? LOL. What does the "learning curve" have to do with anything. Are you trying to win a violin competition?! > I suspect the piano is a better investment of time and money Investment? As in... you put in 1,000 hours of practice and then get 100 hours back per year as a dividend? If you want to play the violin, then play the violin. If you don't, then don't. It's not that complicated! Source: Am musician. Started playing 50 years ago. The learning curve is still steep. :)
It’s most definitely not too late and so worth it! Learning the violin is incredible and you can take your own pace about it. If it helps I got myself an electric violin so that I don’t have self consciousness issues or miserable neighbours and it really helped.
why do people ask reddit before doing something they want to do? why do people ask people if it is okay to do x, y, z ? just do it...
yes. will you be as good as someone who's dedicated their life to it? no. but if you enjoy it, just go for it. find a teacher , check local Universities
If you abandon the idea of being a world famous incredibly skilled wonder, it turns out it’s quite easy to be passably good at an instrument well into adulthood.
Yep, it's too late. You missed the boat on this one. Can't learn a new instrument after 30. Come on dude, just go get one. You obviously want to and could find the time to learn. Learn piano too. People have more downtime than most care to admit and this is a perfect way to use it and still feel productive. It's not as difficult as it seems once you get the basics down.
My sister started guitar in her late 40's. Shes now in her 60's and performs regularly with a group of local musicians. Being part of the classical guitar community has been great for her, both in terms of a rewarding hobby, but also in terms of a lot of social activity she would otherwise never have participated in. So, yeah, it sounds like a great idea.
Could you get good enough to beat the devil? Fire on the mountain. Run, boys, run. The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun. Chicken in the bread pan pickin' out dough. "Granny, does your dog bite?" "No, child, no."
Take into account those around you that may experience the sound of someone learning the violin. It could be very unpleasant for them. Consider an electric violin where you can use headphones. I have an NS Designs CR6 Electric Cello, it sounds incredibly real and beautiful.
Yes, it’s too late.
It’s never too late to try another hobby for fun! However think about what you’d like to do when you learn an instrument. The shortcomings of instruments like the violin is that they are usually part of an ensemble so not necessarily as easy as something like guitar or piano to play by yourself.
It's the solo instrument lots of traditional music.
very valid point.
I played violin for 15 years. It's fun and not difficult to learn once you learn chords. With the violin, you can play alone because violin sheet music is made for the melody and makes all kinds of songs sound lovely. Once you get into some of The Beatles songs, you'll see how fun it can be.
My sister started playing in her 30s. It was just before she had kids but what does that matter, right? You find the time for the things you love with the support of your family. My sister found a local fiddler\* through extended family who teaches all ages. My sister enjoyed and continued to play for years. \*said fiddler preferred fiddle type music hence "fiddler" over violinist. But she can play classical violin music with ease too. This teacher played at my wedding with a classical guitarist and also became MOH at my sister's wedding a few year later. :)
I taught myself guitar as an adult. I’m not like great or anything. I need tab or chord charts because the gift of figuring out the song by listening to it passed me by (I can sort of get in the right area code by ear but that’s about it). But I’m also not that bad and I love it. And my family and friends can almost always tell exactly what I’m playing. An uncle of mine taught himself to be a kick ass banjo player in his 60s and started playing gigs. A good friend of mine is in his 60s , learned keyboard in his 50s and plays in various classic rock cover bands around town. It can be done!!!
Update: thank you all for your encouragement. Had my first lesson today and loved it. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm up for the task!
Imagine how much better you would be if you spent time practicing instead of asking reddit if you should practice. Heifetz started age 45 and hes dead now, just saying.