Olaf, you are one of the most entertaining people on TH-cam I turn 57 today. I bought a violin three weeks it is great fun. I watch as many tutorials and try to learn a little from all the different teachers
yes, don't stop once you started. my girls started when they were six years old with the Suzuki method; Dr. Suzuki have a saying that you only eat when you practice! my girls both practiced daily and it's been 25 years and now both professional violinist.
Most important step for a beginner is to have the violin setup done by a professional. Cheap steel strings are discouraged as they will eat your fingertips when learning which discourages practicing.
Great comments and advice, Olaf. I am one of those very late starters who loves the sound of an in-tune violin. 10+ years on with a few teachers but mostly self-taught. The most poignant comment about starting was from a six year old who followed my lesson. I asked her what she liked and she said "the noise", so perceptive. But it takes a properly tuned and working violin for a child or anybody to get hooked. I am so hooked I like even doing my tune up routine. At 75 I practice most days on two violins, one a Strad and the other a Guarneri. From believing that I would never be able to play Meditation from Thais, when I started, today I play it and many other classical pieces well. Many thanks for your TH-cam videos.
I quit in around 23 when I started med school. Played for 12 years. Restarted 4 months ago at 42, I’m pretty close to being back to where I was. I had to be careful not to injure myself. I did get some forearm strain and hand cramping despite, but all that’s gone now.
I've just finished making a violin out of swamp kauri. I'm going to learn to play it. I'm 58 years old. Some of these comments are inspiring. Thankyou.
You guys need to be encouraged by Brett & Eddy (of TwoSet Violin) - They were my inspiration to take up this instrument a year ago (I'm retired though still working) and Brett's always telling me to 'Go practice'. The thing is though, I enjoy practice! Thanks for this vid Olaf. Good advice from your subscribers. I could add another: I didn't know that a violin would require upkeep such as new strings/a bow rehair etc. I have a friend who videos my progress every month which is useful and helps me see/hear that I am progressing when I feel I'm not! My tutor is hugely supportive and encouraging too. To succeed, imo, you need the 4 P's: PATIENCE - PERSEVERANCE - PASSION - PRACTICE... All 4! I have NO regrets whatsoever. Keep 'em coming, Olaf. I have learned so much about the violin since watching your channel....
Older adult, and today I've had my violin for 10 years. The 4 P's you are absolutely correct. I love it as much as the first day I bought it. No regrets here either.
My instructor provided a timely tip. When I was ready to upgrade from my first violin, my instructor asked if I was shopping for my next violin or my forever violin. I found that to be an important question.
I've played since I was in the 4th grade. I'm 60 now. My number 1 thing I wish known from the start? Play every week with others. There is nothing like playing with ours that better improves my playing. My number 2 is play music that you LOVE! My number 3 is have your instrument in tune every time you pick it up so that you can learn the proper sound.
Thank you Olaf. How great it is to listen and watch you even though I never played the violin and never got beyond playing "The Happy Farmer" on the piano at age 10😁
Buy or make a wall hanger for your violin, bow and rosin and put it on a convenient (but safe) place on a wall in the room where you practise.Maybe it's just me but I find the extra effort of getting the instrument out of its case, setting up the shoulder rest, finding the rosin and then putting it all away again after playing just tips me into "can't be bothered today" mode.
Yes, the need for separate room is what I am facing now. Got a new small place when I just started violin and now after a few years when I am serious about violin, my practice times are restricted because of lack of a dedicated space. The other thing I wish I knew before was the state of Chinese made violins, how good they are now. I would have bought a good bench made Chinese violin from a reputable shop/maker at the start and not waste money on the cheaper mass produced ones or European entry level ones. Now I actually would like to work in the violin industry after being in another field for most of my life. But I have no leads :-(
I agree, a dedicated space makes it more likley that a person will practice more; especially cellos. If you have a chair, stand and a cello stand all ready to go all tge time, you are more likely to practice.
Olaf, I began playing the violin when I was forty-two years old, I am now sixty-two years old. I had been playing other stringed instruments since I was a boy. I play the guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and the piano. I had wanted to play the violin for many years, but I was somewhat intimidated with the bow. I had always played instruments that are picked, or played fingerstyle, and the bow was completely foreign to me. I finally got inspired enough to purchase a VSO to see if I could get the hang of the violin at age forty-two. I was successful with the fingerings, but I had a bad case of "skueaky bow". I decided to take the challenge, and I bought a professional quality violin that I paid $4500 for.
If the passion is there, you've got a head start, Martyn. I've had to learn to read music as well but for now, it is only one note at a time. Chords come later! The cello is my next favourite instrument after the violin and if you watch Hauser, he said recently that it is THE ONLY INSTRUMENT capable of playing any genre of music. This he has proved over the past few years. Enjoy your musical journey. I am...
I'm 69 years old, they tell me, and I'm having the most wonderful time 7 days after the purchous of a new violin. Your instructional videos have been of a tremendous help setting up and playing it. I watched so many teachers on Utube. What seems to really help is to listen to what you really like, played well, and just go for it. Make the sounds you like and keep putting them togather. You will have a wonderful and fulfilling time as you learn more each day. It will be a long journey, but you will be so enthusiastic at hearing yourself play something that sounds good. Yea, yea, yea,,,it will take several years to learn to play. That's bull unless you have aspirations of greatness, and the time, but I'm having a wonderful time just playing it for my own satisfaction. Just go for it! Great will come with dedication and persistence, but pure fun will come quickly if you just play. And play what you want. Thank you for all of your great instruction and advice.
I wanted to play an instrument as a child. Sadly my family was not interested in such trivial non essential matters. To them a roof, shoes and food and that was it! I would have loved to have been given the oportunity to learn the violin as a child.
I bet the synthetic bow hair is not susceptible to bow hair bugs eating it. I'm having fun playing Herb Alpert tunes on the violin. An just today I figured out the ice cream truck tune on the violin.
Olaf, you won't make a dime on this idea, but spring loaded clothes pins (the type with two peices of wood with the little coiled spring between them) make great mutes, especially if you don't have an actual mute handy and you might be aghased but I assure you that its perfectly safe for the instrument if used with care. If you take the clothes pin and open it up and put it on your bridge from the top between the A and D strings it should fit with a bit of room. Take care not to let it touch either string and it'll have the same affect as a factory made mute. If you want more muting you can add clothes pins between the E and the A and the D and the G. It looks a little odd but it works well. Have you ever heard this?
Here's a good tip before starting the violin. Buy a commonly available electronic keyboard with 61 keys and get a software on your pad or computer for sight reading. They're way cheaper than a grand piano or even a good violin but can simulate the sound of both. Learn pitch, intonation, the intervals, music theory and sight reading, rhythm, metronome, and maybe even how to sing as far as your voice allows. It also helps gain finger flexibility. There's TONS of material and entire websites to give you lessons on the internet for keyboard / piano for free. It will go a LONG way knowing the music before you first start violin. Because trust me, when you start it will be a while before you figure out how to hold the violin and the bow and bow half passably and place your fingers in order, let alone play in tune without sounding like a cat getting disemboweled, or even keep your instrument tuned. 😂
Hi Olaf, I am curious as to whether there is a difference in the way you would set up an instrument for a violinist as opposed to a "fiddler". I am a guitarist and a flautist not a violinist
For a fiddler, he curve of the bridge is often flatter to make double stops easier and string crossing faster, it 's down to individual preference, whatever works best. The trade off is a loss of volume but if you are playing amplified, that is not a problem.
Hi Carol, Some fiddlers like a slightly flatter bridge arch to make playing double stops easier. Some fiddlers also like a really low string action. So yes... Its mainly in the bridge and the nut. Often fiddlers also like deeper sounding instruments. 🎻
I got a bad advice by a Cello teacher when I startet playing cello. He told my mother and me that I should get my own Instrument and not rent one because one would develop a special relationship to the instrument when it's someone's own. This advice caused two problems: First, my parents bought me a very cheap and bad cello because they could not afford a better one and second after 6 months I found out that I would rather play violin but I could not because I had a cello.
My D string peg, keep popping out of tune. I have to apply pressure to get in and it will hold the tune for a day or two then it will pop and turn out of tune? Suggestions on how I can fix this issue. I have tried the wax I believe it is that the local music store told me to try to hold it better, but it's been unsuccesful.
Heh, I'm trying to gather courage to try again with the violin. I had a very demanding teacher and with work and other stress it all got a bit too much for me and I had to put it on hold. My advice for adults is to find a teacher and then communicate very clearly how much of your time and energy you can put into practising and lessons and how serious you are about it, so that you're both on the same page.
You have to be aware that you DON'T need to have a high goal. You can be content with only playing children's songs for a year or only practicing easy etudes or whatever you like. Or only play/ practice for 10 minutes a day. If you go looking online, you get the idea that there is a lot of pressure and competition and everybody is striving for professional level. That's not true! It's your hobby, you should practice it in a way that it's fun for you and only as long as you like, need not even be daily. If "playing the violin" for you means playing 30 minutes on Sunday, then that is your hobby, that is okay, you don't need a practice plan or ambitious goal.
I'm a much older adult learner and my tutor lets me set the pace. It makes no odds to him how quickly I choose to learn and he's very happy with my progress... slow but steady... Good luck trying again. Find one who's supportive and encouraging... Mine will say (genuinely) "Your intonation is better this week" or "Your bowing is coming along nicely" or "Your timing has improved"... Never all 3!! Now that would be a miracle... Mebee in 10 years!
Thanks Olaf the violin maker you have me off to a very good start. The information will save me a great deal of heartache on my violin quest. More often than not it`s the finer points and details that make all the difference. Posture, hold the bow correctly, just enough rosin, be comfortable and all the other details I may have missed. Glad to have found you, thank you youtube.
I rented mine (UK based) and it's very reasonable. I would have had no idea from the outset, what sort of sound I wanted, nor even have been able to try out a violin. In the meantime I'm saving for a much better one when I can play at a standard that warrants such. Tbh, I was overwhelmed in the beginning. There was too much to focus on simultaneously and my brain went into overload! I was glad my tutor just had me on open strings for the first 3 weeks... It doesn't ever get any easier but despite the challenges, it's super rewarding (I'm 1 year in). Good luck on your musical journey... If you're subbed to TwoSet Violin you will find a community of nearly 4 million peeps who are hugely supportive and can offer advice. All ages and from all walks of life. Brett & Eddy are the reason I'm now playing this awesome instrument!
Sound like there was a lot of variety in people’s starting points. I keep thinking that a flowchart would help. If you are a child the best that you can do is ask for things (private lesions, better violin, taking the violin to a luthier and not a band shop for any setup needs, etc.) Adults have a wide range of starting points and goals. Someone who just wants to participate in the yearly Fiddlerman Christmas video might do fine with a Midnight violin from their shop and TH-cam instruction. Then, as you said, you have adults have gone much farther and would have been severely limited without a teacher and a much better instrument. Then if a person does take lessons it would be nice if a flowchart could just take them to all of the questions to ask and decisions to make. I’m not going to make such a map so it will probably just remain a maze of twisty little passages all different, but, sometimes the adventure itself is fun.
Interesting thoughts... We all have different goals but adults value the cost of their instrument/tutoring more than children, so we put in the necessary study/practice as it's our hard-earned cash paying for it all! I don't think we can even assume some dreams/goals are out of reach just because we're an adult learner... I know of much older people now happily playing in orchestra...
Hi Olaf. I Ask about 7/8 violin before. I have joint problems and small hands (I´m 50 years old beginner from Finland). Why some people talk down the size? I wonder how many people have stop playing violin when they don´t know about the size and struggle whit 4/4. Hope to see more positive talk for 7/8 size. I have Harald Lorenz No:2 4/4 (900€) and same level 7/8 is 1200€. Good 7/8 is more expensive than 4/4 but there is nice sounding 7/8 violins. I need save money to change. price is example from my local shop.
I've got a cello pupil in his 60's. He's improved so much, that he's now playing some famous, classic cello repertoire. he's on a nice, bench made Chinese Montana copy, which has been beautifully set up, and he's now changed the strings to my recommendation, and it sounds surprisingly good. Occasionally I spoil him and let him play mine.
8 year good sound comment. I teach cello and maybe violins are different, but my teenage students achieve a nice sound (somewhat dependent upon instrument and string quality) in 3 to 4 years.
Hi, Olaf, I wanted to get your opinion on something I was practicing last week, and when I went to put my violin away part of my shoulderest hit my violin and left a very tiny indent do you think a luthier could fix the small indent? Thanks, Henry 😀
I started playing the violin November 2020. I have taught guitar for many years. I have asked many of my students if they are still playing regularly. The one thing that determines whether you will play/practice is whether your instrument is readily available. My students who still play regularly are those who leave their guitar near their relaxation chair...the chair they sit in when they are done with their day of work. Those who do not play regularly are those who have their guitar nicely packed away in the case. Even though my violin is less than 2 feet away from my chair, because it is in the case, I RARELY pull it out to play. Unfortunately, in my current living space, I need to keep it in the case to prevent damage.
How true that is... What a faff it would be extricating mine from its case, then affixing shoulder rest and electronic tuner (be lost without that). Mine is either on the table (with a large scarf thrown over it) or tucked behind said table on a cushioned bench. UK based, I don't have to worry about extreme heat or humidity. But I have NO excuse not to play even if it's just a few minutes on my busy days. How about hanging yours on a wall somewhere? There are set ups online for violin and bow...
@askolaf what is your opinion of the American company fiddlerman in regards to they’re master and soloist outfits? The price points seem fair and other reviews say they are very nice.
I can't really say. I thought he was a violinist, not a violin maker. I've watched a couple of videos of his on jazz violin playing and found them helpful. I made a video on how to choose a good violin as well as wrote the 7 essentials book which you can get for free in the description of most of my videos. It can really help you make a good decision when you are buying an instrument. Personally I don't like to talk about other companies but try to give you the tools to make the best decisions. Hope that helps.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker I respect that as well sir, I would honestly buy from you because I already know that you love your craft and trade. I just wasn’t sure how overseas shipping may effect the instrument so I was looking at a stateside option. I’m just starting out but want an instrument I can grow into and I figured I’d start with a good mid range.
@@KeithR0000 thank you. I've sent quite a few instruments around the world over the last couple of years. I've got lots of very happy players playing my instruments in the US as well as Europe, Australia and Asia... They're always insured and I have a 30day money back guarantee because I wouldn't want someone to play a violin if they didn't like it... It pretty much never happens, but it just makes me feel better... Of course that's just one option.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker I will take a look and see what my wife thinks but I imagine she will agree with me getting one from you. I’ve already enjoyed countless hours of entertainment and valuable information from the channel and look forward to more.
Hello! I found a very old violin at a rummage sale and fell in love with it. The inside says ‘copy of Antonius Stradivarius’. Made in Germany. Wondering if I should have it appraised.
A good option for self teaching is something like a mandolin, that's what I've got. I'm not sure what about it made the difference but it's very forgiving and relatively easy to fix bad habits. The tuning is the same as the violin, double strung in unison, GGDDAAEE - so much of the repertoire is transferable albeit some things are harder on the mandolin.
I'm agree with you, as I started to play the mandolin last year (and I'm an uni student in art history, who also play the violin for fun for... 8/9 years). Luckily, I had the fundamentals for playing the mandolin 'cause my experience on violin (and I have the same teacher for both instruments, too!). I want to tell you that now I'm in an amateur plettrum orchestra; I remebered I only had a 15/20 min. "lesson" of mandolin before started my first orchestra's reharsal 😂😁 (it was a little bit difficult play 'tremolo' for the first 2 weeks 😅): it was fun! I played 5 concerts in my city and I enjoy play music with them, in company 😊. Next week I start again reharsal (one day a week, for 2 hours, in the evening): I can not wait 🥰! Before I come back to study for an exam 😓, take an eye to our orchestra's channel: there are some little piece's performances if u want to listen them th-cam.com/channels/H_K7AkwMfLl1EmlpndBk0w.html (Sorry for my English 🙈 and) hope you have a great day/night. Greetings from Italy 🇮🇹🎶
The mandolin is something I always wanted to learn but even guitar seems small to me ( as a bassist). I played the mandolin as a teen I would like to again.
Tremolo took me months to learn but it got me so happy when I finally learned it and played every tune I know with tremolo😂 trills are significantly harder.
Olaf, you are one of the most entertaining people on TH-cam I turn 57 today. I bought a violin three weeks it is great fun. I watch as many tutorials and try to learn a little from all the different teachers
Happy Birthday (for 2 months ago!) I hope your violin journey goes well!
yes, don't stop once you started. my girls started when they were six years old with the Suzuki method; Dr. Suzuki have a saying that you only eat when you practice! my girls both practiced daily and it's been 25 years and now both professional violinist.
I bought my cello for $135 a few years ago. A friend of mine said that is was quite good. I guess I was lucky.
Most important step for a beginner is to have the violin setup done by a professional. Cheap steel strings are discouraged as they will eat your fingertips when learning which discourages practicing.
You can get strings that are not the cost of a arm and leg for practice.
@@michaelblaney4461 Tonica strings for violin are good
Great comments and advice, Olaf.
I am one of those very late starters who loves the sound of an in-tune violin. 10+ years on with a few teachers but mostly self-taught. The most poignant comment about starting was from a six year old who followed my lesson. I asked her what she liked and she said "the noise", so perceptive. But it takes a properly tuned and working violin for a child or anybody to get hooked. I am so hooked I like even doing my tune up routine. At 75 I practice most days on two violins, one a Strad and the other a Guarneri. From believing that I would never be able to play Meditation from Thais, when I started, today I play it and many other classical pieces well.
Many thanks for your TH-cam videos.
I quit in around 23 when I started med school. Played for 12 years. Restarted 4 months ago at 42, I’m pretty close to being back to where I was. I had to be careful not to injure myself. I did get some forearm strain and hand cramping despite, but all that’s gone now.
I just started last week at 45yr. I had so much fun and looking forward to my next lesson.🙂
I've just finished making a violin out of swamp kauri. I'm going to learn to play it. I'm 58 years old. Some of these comments are inspiring. Thankyou.
All usefull advice. But maybe the best advice came at the end: have fun !!!!
Without that the whole experience becomes dull .
I am 36 and I started about 8 months ago... it's definitely hard but I'm so grateful I tried
You guys need to be encouraged by Brett & Eddy (of TwoSet Violin) - They were my inspiration to take up this instrument a year ago (I'm retired though still working) and Brett's always telling me to 'Go practice'. The thing is though, I enjoy practice! Thanks for this vid Olaf. Good advice from your subscribers. I could add another: I didn't know that a violin would require upkeep such as new strings/a bow rehair etc. I have a friend who videos my progress every month which is useful and helps me see/hear that I am progressing when I feel I'm not! My tutor is hugely supportive and encouraging too. To succeed, imo, you need the 4 P's: PATIENCE - PERSEVERANCE - PASSION - PRACTICE... All 4! I have NO regrets whatsoever. Keep 'em coming, Olaf. I have learned so much about the violin since watching your channel....
Older adult, and today I've had my violin for 10 years. The 4 P's you are absolutely correct. I love it as much as the first day I bought it. No regrets here either.
My instructor provided a timely tip. When I was ready to upgrade from my first violin, my instructor asked if I was shopping for my next violin or my forever violin. I found that to be an important question.
I've played since I was in the 4th grade. I'm 60 now. My number 1 thing I wish known from the start? Play every week with others. There is nothing like playing with ours that better improves my playing. My number 2 is play music that you LOVE! My number 3 is have your instrument in tune every time you pick it up so that you can learn the proper sound.
Thank you Olaf. How great it is to listen and watch you even though I never played the violin and never got beyond playing "The Happy Farmer" on the piano at age 10😁
Why not? I mean, if you are not dead, u still can try it out!! 😅
I started at 48
Close to me, started at 45 and still plugging away at it. Vibrato is finally coming along.
The wittner pegs make life so much easier, I use them because I had surgery on my bow hand.
Buy or make a wall hanger for your violin, bow and rosin and put it on a convenient (but safe) place on a wall in the room where you practise.Maybe it's just me but I find the extra effort of getting the instrument out of its case, setting up the shoulder rest, finding the rosin and then putting it all away again after playing just tips me into "can't be bothered today" mode.
Don’t do this if you have cats though 😂
Very good reasoning!
Could you tell us more about that lovely dark colored violin standing upright on the counter behind you on your right?
Yes, the need for separate room is what I am facing now. Got a new small place when I just started violin and now after a few years when I am serious about violin, my practice times are restricted because of lack of a dedicated space.
The other thing I wish I knew before was the state of Chinese made violins, how good they are now. I would have bought a good bench made Chinese violin from a reputable shop/maker at the start and not waste money on the cheaper mass produced ones or European entry level ones.
Now I actually would like to work in the violin industry after being in another field for most of my life. But I have no leads :-(
I agree, a dedicated space makes it more likley that a person will practice more; especially cellos. If you have a chair, stand and a cello stand all ready to go all tge time, you are more likely to practice.
Olaf, I began playing the violin when I was forty-two years old, I am now sixty-two years old. I had been playing other stringed instruments since I was a boy. I play the guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and the piano.
I had wanted to play the violin for many years, but I was somewhat intimidated with the bow. I had always played instruments that are picked, or played fingerstyle, and the bow was completely foreign to me.
I finally got inspired enough to purchase a VSO to see if I could get the hang of the violin at age forty-two. I was successful with the fingerings, but I had a bad case of "skueaky bow". I decided to take the challenge, and I bought a professional quality violin that I paid $4500 for.
Impressive! Well worth that investment then... looking back after 20 years!
Man, a good bow is a game changer.
invaluable information. Especially for me, i'm thinking of taking up the cello - i'm 61.
Hi Martyn,
Go for it!!
If you love music and the sound of the cello... better sooner than later 🙂
If the passion is there, you've got a head start, Martyn. I've had to learn to read music as well but for now, it is only one note at a time. Chords come later! The cello is my next favourite instrument after the violin and if you watch Hauser, he said recently that it is THE ONLY INSTRUMENT capable of playing any genre of music. This he has proved over the past few years. Enjoy your musical journey. I am...
I'm 69 years old, they tell me, and I'm having the most wonderful time 7 days after the purchous of a new violin. Your instructional videos have been of a tremendous help setting up and playing it. I watched so many teachers on Utube. What seems to really help is to listen to what you really like, played well, and just go for it. Make the sounds you like and keep putting them togather. You will have a wonderful and fulfilling time as you learn more each day. It will be a long journey, but you will be so enthusiastic at hearing yourself play something that sounds good. Yea, yea, yea,,,it will take several years to learn to play. That's bull unless you have aspirations of greatness, and the time, but I'm having a wonderful time just playing it for my own satisfaction. Just go for it! Great will come with dedication and persistence, but pure fun will come quickly if you just play. And play what you want. Thank you for all of your great instruction and advice.
I wanted to play an instrument as a child. Sadly my family was not interested in such trivial non essential matters. To them a roof, shoes and food and that was it! I would have loved to have been given the oportunity to learn the violin as a child.
I bet the synthetic bow hair is not susceptible to bow hair bugs eating it.
I'm having fun playing Herb Alpert tunes on the violin.
An just today I figured out the ice cream truck tune on the violin.
Your violin sounds amazing without much rosin. I am SO happy!
Olaf, you won't make a dime on this idea, but spring loaded clothes pins (the type with two peices of wood with the little coiled spring between them) make great mutes, especially if you don't have an actual mute handy and you might be aghased but I assure you that its perfectly safe for the instrument if used with care. If you take the clothes pin and open it up and put it on your bridge from the top between the A and D strings it should fit with a bit of room. Take care not to let it touch either string and it'll have the same affect as a factory made mute. If you want more muting you can add clothes pins between the E and the A and the D and the G. It looks a little odd but it works well. Have you ever heard this?
I like that this guy has 50k+ subscribers
Can you recommend a good substitute for a particular parchment? Someone recommended duct tape.
Here's a good tip before starting the violin. Buy a commonly available electronic keyboard with 61 keys and get a software on your pad or computer for sight reading. They're way cheaper than a grand piano or even a good violin but can simulate the sound of both. Learn pitch, intonation, the intervals, music theory and sight reading, rhythm, metronome, and maybe even how to sing as far as your voice allows. It also helps gain finger flexibility. There's TONS of material and entire websites to give you lessons on the internet for keyboard / piano for free.
It will go a LONG way knowing the music before you first start violin. Because trust me, when you start it will be a while before you figure out how to hold the violin and the bow and bow half passably and place your fingers in order, let alone play in tune without sounding like a cat getting disemboweled, or even keep your instrument tuned. 😂
I love you, Master Olaf! I am almost 52 and picking up the violin again. I need restring my viola too.
Hi Olaf, I am curious as to whether there is a difference in the way you would set up an instrument for a violinist as opposed to a "fiddler". I am a guitarist and a flautist not a violinist
For a fiddler, he curve of the bridge is often flatter to make double stops easier and string crossing faster, it 's down to individual preference, whatever works best. The trade off is a loss of volume but if you are playing amplified, that is not a problem.
Hi Carol,
Some fiddlers like a slightly flatter bridge arch to make playing double stops easier.
Some fiddlers also like a really low string action.
So yes... Its mainly in the bridge and the nut.
Often fiddlers also like deeper sounding instruments. 🎻
I got a bad advice by a Cello teacher when I startet playing cello. He told my mother and me that I should get my own Instrument and not rent one because one would develop a special relationship to the instrument when it's someone's own. This advice caused two problems: First, my parents bought me a very cheap and bad cello because they could not afford a better one and second after 6 months I found out that I would rather play violin but I could not because I had a cello.
DEAR MR. OLAUF CAN YOU. RECOMMEND A GOOD SUBSTITUTE
Have you tried to do flute?
I am in a constant battle to chose the right varnish..
My D string peg, keep popping out of tune. I have to apply pressure to get in and it will hold the tune for a day or two then it will pop and turn out of tune? Suggestions on how I can fix this issue. I have tried the wax I believe it is that the local music store told me to try to hold it better, but it's been unsuccesful.
Heh, I'm trying to gather courage to try again with the violin. I had a very demanding teacher and with work and other stress it all got a bit too much for me and I had to put it on hold. My advice for adults is to find a teacher and then communicate very clearly how much of your time and energy you can put into practising and lessons and how serious you are about it, so that you're both on the same page.
You have to be aware that you DON'T need to have a high goal. You can be content with only playing children's songs for a year or only practicing easy etudes or whatever you like. Or only play/ practice for 10 minutes a day.
If you go looking online, you get the idea that there is a lot of pressure and competition and everybody is striving for professional level. That's not true!
It's your hobby, you should practice it in a way that it's fun for you and only as long as you like, need not even be daily. If "playing the violin" for you means playing 30 minutes on Sunday, then that is your hobby, that is okay, you don't need a practice plan or ambitious goal.
I'm a much older adult learner and my tutor lets me set the pace. It makes no odds to him how quickly I choose to learn and he's very happy with my progress... slow but steady... Good luck trying again. Find one who's supportive and encouraging... Mine will say (genuinely) "Your intonation is better this week" or "Your bowing is coming along nicely" or "Your timing has improved"... Never all 3!! Now that would be a miracle... Mebee in 10 years!
Thanks Olaf the violin maker you have me off to a very good start. The information will save me a great deal of heartache on my violin quest. More often than not it`s the finer points and details that make all the difference. Posture, hold the bow correctly, just enough rosin, be comfortable and all the other details I may have missed. Glad to have found you, thank you youtube.
I rented mine (UK based) and it's very reasonable. I would have had no idea from the outset, what sort of sound I wanted, nor even have been able to try out a violin. In the meantime I'm saving for a much better one when I can play at a standard that warrants such. Tbh, I was overwhelmed in the beginning. There was too much to focus on simultaneously and my brain went into overload! I was glad my tutor just had me on open strings for the first 3 weeks... It doesn't ever get any easier but despite the challenges, it's super rewarding (I'm 1 year in). Good luck on your musical journey... If you're subbed to TwoSet Violin you will find a community of nearly 4 million peeps who are hugely supportive and can offer advice. All ages and from all walks of life. Brett & Eddy are the reason I'm now playing this awesome instrument!
Scales scales scales
Very good advice.
Sound like there was a lot of variety in people’s starting points. I keep thinking that a flowchart would help. If you are a child the best that you can do is ask for things (private lesions, better violin, taking the violin to a luthier and not a band shop for any setup needs, etc.) Adults have a wide range of starting points and goals. Someone who just wants to participate in the yearly Fiddlerman Christmas video might do fine with a Midnight violin from their shop and TH-cam instruction. Then, as you said, you have adults have gone much farther and would have been severely limited without a teacher and a much better instrument. Then if a person does take lessons it would be nice if a flowchart could just take them to all of the questions to ask and decisions to make. I’m not going to make such a map so it will probably just remain a maze of twisty little passages all different, but, sometimes the adventure itself is fun.
Interesting thoughts... We all have different goals but adults value the cost of their instrument/tutoring more than children, so we put in the necessary study/practice as it's our hard-earned cash paying for it all! I don't think we can even assume some dreams/goals are out of reach just because we're an adult learner... I know of much older people now happily playing in orchestra...
Yey, i got my comment 🎉
❤️
I wish I'd seen this video a few days ago - just ordered a rubber mute, really should have ordered a steel one! :)
Rubber are still useful, they are used in orchestral playing.
Hi Olaf. I Ask about 7/8 violin before. I have joint problems and small hands (I´m 50 years old beginner from Finland). Why some people talk down the size? I wonder how many people have stop playing violin when they don´t know about the size and struggle whit 4/4. Hope to see more positive talk for 7/8 size. I have Harald Lorenz No:2 4/4 (900€) and same level 7/8 is 1200€. Good 7/8 is more expensive than 4/4 but there is nice sounding 7/8 violins. I need save money to change. price is example from my local shop.
Olaf. I have always been curious about fiddle player Doug Kershaw. What is he doing to make his bow break down?
I've got a cello pupil in his 60's. He's improved so much, that he's now playing some famous, classic cello repertoire. he's on a nice, bench made Chinese Montana copy, which has been beautifully set up, and he's now changed the strings to my recommendation, and it sounds surprisingly good. Occasionally I spoil him and let him play mine.
8 year good sound comment. I teach cello and maybe violins are different, but my teenage students achieve a nice sound (somewhat dependent upon instrument and string quality) in 3 to 4 years.
Hi, Olaf, I wanted to get your opinion on something I was practicing last week, and when I went to put my violin away part of my shoulderest hit my violin and left a very tiny indent do you think a luthier could fix the small indent?
Thanks,
Henry 😀
I bought a cheap mandolin to practice fingering patterns in folk tunes before putting them together on the fiddle.
Oh, I think creating a dedicated space would be great for me, awesome idea, thank you to whomever suggested that!
Olaf you are a really cool dude and thank you for the videos I really enjoy them 😊
I started playing the violin November 2020. I have taught guitar for many years. I have asked many of my students if they are still playing regularly.
The one thing that determines whether you will play/practice is whether your instrument is readily available. My students who still play regularly are those who leave their guitar near their relaxation chair...the chair they sit in when they are done with their day of work. Those who do not play regularly are those who have their guitar nicely packed away in the case.
Even though my violin is less than 2 feet away from my chair, because it is in the case, I RARELY pull it out to play.
Unfortunately, in my current living space, I need to keep it in the case to prevent damage.
How true that is... What a faff it would be extricating mine from its case, then affixing shoulder rest and electronic tuner (be lost without that). Mine is either on the table (with a large scarf thrown over it) or tucked behind said table on a cushioned bench. UK based, I don't have to worry about extreme heat or humidity. But I have NO excuse not to play even if it's just a few minutes on my busy days. How about hanging yours on a wall somewhere? There are set ups online for violin and bow...
Thank you so much Olaf. ❤️🎻
Good video Olaf..👨🏻
@askolaf what is your opinion of the American company fiddlerman in regards to they’re master and soloist outfits? The price points seem fair and other reviews say they are very nice.
I can't really say.
I thought he was a violinist, not a violin maker.
I've watched a couple of videos of his on jazz violin playing and found them helpful.
I made a video on how to choose a good violin as well as wrote the 7 essentials book which you can get for free in the description of most of my videos. It can really help you make a good decision when you are buying an instrument.
Personally I don't like to talk about other companies but try to give you the tools to make the best decisions.
Hope that helps.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker I respect that as well sir, I would honestly buy from you because I already know that you love your craft and trade. I just wasn’t sure how overseas shipping may effect the instrument so I was looking at a stateside option. I’m just starting out but want an instrument I can grow into and I figured I’d start with a good mid range.
@@KeithR0000 thank you.
I've sent quite a few instruments around the world over the last couple of years.
I've got lots of very happy players playing my instruments in the US as well as Europe, Australia and Asia...
They're always insured and I have a 30day money back guarantee because I wouldn't want someone to play a violin if they didn't like it... It pretty much never happens, but it just makes me feel better...
Of course that's just one option.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker I will take a look and see what my wife thinks but I imagine she will agree with me getting one from you. I’ve already enjoyed countless hours of entertainment and valuable information from the channel and look forward to more.
Hello! I found a very old violin at a rummage sale and fell in love with it. The inside says ‘copy of Antonius Stradivarius’. Made in Germany. Wondering if I should have it appraised.
The ones I have seen can run anywhere from $500 American to $2000. It's more about WHO made the copy, than the name Strad.
Excellent!!
A good option for self teaching is something like a mandolin, that's what I've got. I'm not sure what about it made the difference but it's very forgiving and relatively easy to fix bad habits. The tuning is the same as the violin, double strung in unison, GGDDAAEE - so much of the repertoire is transferable albeit some things are harder on the mandolin.
I'm agree with you, as I started to play the mandolin last year (and I'm an uni student in art history, who also play the violin for fun for... 8/9 years).
Luckily, I had the fundamentals for playing the mandolin 'cause my experience on violin (and I have the same teacher for both instruments, too!).
I want to tell you that now I'm in an amateur plettrum orchestra; I remebered I only had a 15/20 min. "lesson" of mandolin before started my first orchestra's reharsal 😂😁 (it was a little bit difficult play 'tremolo' for the first 2 weeks 😅): it was fun! I played 5 concerts in my city and I enjoy play music with them, in company 😊.
Next week I start again reharsal (one day a week, for 2 hours, in the evening): I can not wait 🥰!
Before I come back to study for an exam 😓, take an eye to our orchestra's channel: there are some little piece's performances if u want to listen them
th-cam.com/channels/H_K7AkwMfLl1EmlpndBk0w.html
(Sorry for my English 🙈 and) hope you have a great day/night. Greetings from Italy 🇮🇹🎶
The mandolin is something I always wanted to learn but even guitar seems small to me ( as a bassist).
I played the mandolin as a teen I would like to again.
That's the Aussie tuning doubled up. I used to use the mandolin to learn tunes, since I was used to a plectrum, then sort out the bowing later.
Tremolo took me months to learn but it got me so happy when I finally learned it and played every tune I know with tremolo😂 trills are significantly harder.
@@eufemiahz1556 Double stops, too 😂!
Yes, ikis is a trademark of a violinist !