The BAVS FAQQuestions about age and time
Am I too old to learn to play the violin? You are never too old to begin learning an instrument! There is no limit to what you can achieve, given enough time and effort.On the "low end" of the age scale, teenagers and young adults who are just starting the instrument are certainly at a disadvantage to those who started as children, if they intend to embark upon a professional career, due to the age restrictions that most conservatories enforce, but there are plenty of alternative paths available. Furthermore, older students, with their discipline, powers of concentration, and developed mental and analytical abilities, are able to learn to play an instrument at a much more rapid rate than most children, so an adult learner can "catch up" to peers who started earlier, within a few years. On the "high end" of the age scale, while age-related physical deterioration can potentially pose a problem, most such issues can be compensated for. Hearing loss can make intonation difficult, but can be partially compensated for through use of a hearing aid. Arthritis and other problems that affect the movement of the fingers or arms will reduce dexterity and increase the playing difficulties. However, many people have successfully learned the violin after retirement and continue to play throughout their lives. [Last update: Wed May 17 16:10:38 2000.] How old are the other people on this list? The youngest people on this list are teenagers; the oldest are in their seventies or more. Most are thirty or older.The list members have widely differing years of experience, and began at different times in their lives. Some played as children, quit, and then returned to the instrument as an adult. Others did not start until adulthood. There are also a few teachers on the list who have an interest in the problems facing adult students. [Last update: Fri Jun 22 16:20:03 2001.] How long does it take to become a good violinist? The violin is an instrument of great complexity and many subtleties, providing a lifetime of enjoyment in attempting to master it. The learning curve on the instrument is measured in years rather than in the months that are typical for many other instruments.The initial stages -- learning to correctly hold the violin and bow, draw an acceptable tone with the bow, and correctly place the fingers on the notes (playing "in tune", also known as "good intonation") -- can take anywhere from several weeks to a year, assuming daily practice. Previous experience with other musical instruments, the ability to sing, or other significant musical exposure will shorten the amount of time it takes to develop some of these skills. Most students will find that it takes at least two or three years of study to reach the intermediate stages of ability, defined for the purposes of this FAQ as having achieved good tone production (including vibrato), solid intonation in the first five positions of the violin (including clean shifting technique), and being able to execute the basic bowstrokes (including spiccato). This is the level at which joining a community orchestra, or playing much of the traditional chamber music repertoire, is possible. Reaching the advanced stages of playing, defined for the purposes of this FAQ as being able to play the traditional concert-hall repertoire, such as the concertos of Bruch and Mendelssohn, and the virtuosic showpieces of Sarasate, typically takes several more years of study, equating to several thousand hours of total practice time. Fiddlers progress somewhat faster than violinists following a classical course of training; one can play fiddle music acceptably within a year or two of beginning study of the instrument. [Last update: Wed May 17 16:30:26 2000.] How much time do I need to commit? You will need to find time to practice, preferably on a daily basis, and, if possible, you should find time to take lessons from a teacher, on a weekly basis. Some players also like to participate in groups; after a couple of months, you may be able to join a community orchestra (which usually have weekly rehearsals), play chamber music (usually scheduled periodically when the players involved have time), or participate in fiddle jam sessions (which may be weekly, monthly, or whenever people have time). Some teachers or structured music programs also offer periodic group lessons and workshops. Some students also want to supplement their violin lessons with instruction in music theory.Playing the violin is a time-consuming hobby. To make reliable progress, you will need to practice for at least 30 minutes on a daily basis; you don't need to do that in a single session, though, so you could, for example, play for 15 minutes in the morning before going to work, and another 15 minutes before going to bed. While you can get away with less practice, improvement will be much slower. Steady daily practicing is better than "binge" practicing; it better maintains both the musculature and neural pathways needed to play the instrument. If you can't manage the time commitment, you shouldn't be discouraged from trying the instrument, but be aware that your progress is likely to be slow. If you are planning to study with a teacher, you should explicitly inform them how much daily practice time you are able and willing to commit. [Last update: Sun Sep 16 17:26:28 2001.] What happens if I don't have any talent? Every violinist on the planet has "I wish I could play as well as fill-in-the-blank-here" syndrome, and feels untalented compared to someone else.Adults, impatient and time-crunched, tend to be shocked by how long it takes to master the instrument. We gain competencies in so many other things in a short period of time, after all! But patience and perseverance are part and parcel of the "talents" needed to become a good string player. Some people will, of course, find it easier to learn certain aspects of playing; everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Nonetheless, the cold truth is that it takes years to become good; the players who survive the process to get there are the ones who stay motivated despite an apparently low rate of return on time invested. As players of a complex and demanding and sometimes seemingly obtuse instrument, we tend to focus on technique, technique, technique -- what we can do, what we can play, how we sound, and why is this easy for someone else when it's so hard for me! This is not to say that technique isn't important, but you will set yourself up for frustration if you view competence on the instrument as a goal, instead of as a journey. Adults so rarely get to "live in the moment". Here's an opportunity for you to do so, without guilt -- take advantage of it, and enjoy it! It doesn't matter if you have "talent". If you like fine wine, do you worry about whether or not you have an especially discerning palate, or do you just enjoy the wine? [Last update: Fri Jun 22 16:15:34 2001.]
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