Learning to play the violin has never been easier.

We’ll teach you everything you need to know about the violin, including interesting facts and step-by-step lessons. Read on…

How to learn to play the violin? The basics

If you want to know how to learn to play the violin, you need to start with the basics, which is everything related to the instrument. What are its parts? How to hold it? How to use the bow? It’s true that the best way to learn is through experimentation, but before you begin, you need some basic lessons to give you some background.

The violin parts

In this video, we show you the parts and how to assemble a new violin so it plays great from day one. Here’s the complete list of parts, but watch the video to learn how to use each one : 

• Pegs
• Pegbox and Scroll
• Capo
• Tuning Fork 
• Handle or Arm
• Box (lid, back cover, bands or rings)
• Efes
• Bridge
• Cordal
• Chin rest
• Micro Tuners (If you have them)
• Button
• Soul
• Strings

Learn to hold the violin and bow

In the second video, you’ll find out everything you need to know about the names of the strings, the first steps to reading violin music, tuning the strings, how to hold the violin, and how to hold the bow.

Once you know how to locate the most important parts of the instrument, hold it and grab the bow, you can move on to the next level, where everything begins to take shape: Placing the first fingers on the handle (we warn you that you have to know the parts of the violin to advance).

In this video, we review practical exercises for holding the violin on the shoulder and how to begin working on different finger combinations so you can play your first notes and, above all, the basis of all technique, which are the major scales on the violin. In the video below, you’ll see what I mean.

How long does it take to learn to play the violin?

This is one of the most common questions among those beginning to learn to play the violin . However, it’s a question that experts can’t answer, as it depends on many factors. Therefore, it’s not possible to give an exact time in weeks, months, or years.

And many people label the violin as “very difficult.” We like to say that the violin is a complex instrument, not a difficult one. That is, like anything complex you can imagine, such as completing a puzzle with thousands of pieces, you have to know how to divide to conquer.

Following the example of a puzzle, you first separate all the “sky” pieces, the similarly colored ones, the ones with the points or ends, and then you start looking for which one fits with which. It’s the same with the violin: you have to separate the difficulties, group them all together, and master them separately, so that everything later fits together into the complete puzzle, which in our case would be the musical work.

That’s why here’s a video with tips that will help you along this journey with the violin.

Remember that thinking about how long it takes to learn to play the violin shouldn’t be a reason to give up on your dream. With motivation and dedication, anything is possible. Besides, everyone is different, and there’s no set pace you have to follow, other than the pace your body demands (you’ll soon find out what we mean).

What is needed to learn to play the violin?

●   Take classes

If you want to progress more quickly in your learning, you should take classes. This is essential for acquiring good techniques, such as proper posture, proper violin and bow holding, and learning music theory, among other skills.

●   Follow a method

You’ll find countless methods for learning the violin, but if you’re just starting out and don’t know which method to choose, we’ve compiled a selection of methods, explaining what you’ll find in each one:

●     Develop musical hearing

Musical acuity is key to learning to play the violin. Keep in mind that the sound of this instrument has many nuances, so it requires a lot of auditory training. This will help you know if you’re sounding out of tune or not. To achieve this, we recommend listening to a lot of violins and going to concerts.

●     Equip yourself with the right instrument

Among the things you need to learn to play the violin is, of course, the instrument. However, it’s not just about having any old violin, but the right one that allows you to learn properly. You must acquire a quality one, one on which you can develop and express yourself well.

●     Be consistent

Consistency is key when learning the violin. If you want to progress, you need to practice regularly. It doesn’t have to be for too long, but you do need to be consistent. In fact, it’s better to practice 10 minutes a day than 1 hour on just one day of the week. Practicing 30 to 60 minutes a day will allow you to progress more.

How difficult is it to learn to play the violin?

The violin is a complex instrument; it doesn’t have frets like a guitar, keys like a piano, or holes like a flute. Your right hand must hold a bow, and you depend entirely on it to produce the sound. Wherever you press the string, the note will sound; if you press it a little lower, it will sound higher, and if you press it a little higher, it will sound lower. Therefore, you can only guide yourself by ear.