Q: I've picked up the violin about a month ago and im doing pretty well on my own without an instructor. I just want to know the hard things to learn so i'll know now to do much of it unless i get help from people who do. Vibrato for example is something i know is difficult and hard to fix if i pick up a bad habit so what else should i be looking out for? I believe its possible to learn the violin without a teacher. Of course i have books that teaches me the essentials basics and i also have friends who i can go to ask for help. Nothing is impossible, thinking it makes it so.
A: Firstly welcome to the world of being a violinist! Well, playing the violin is a really hard thing to do because you have to think of about forty zillion things all at once...e.g. You have to think what note you are playing on what string, which finger you're playing the note with, what 'position' you are in, where your left elbow is in relation to the violin neck, where your finger-tips are on your bow and how much pressure you should be exerting with your right index finger, what dynamic you're playing at, what angle your bow has to be on the string, whether your right thumb is bent or straight, whether you're right little finger is on the bow, whether you're playing an up bow or a down bow and whether you're lifting and what bow speed you're going at..the list goes on and on. The violin is all difficult! However it is a very rewarding and beautiful instrument! P.s Get a full length mirror and watch yourself when you play (not all the time, but make a point to do it at least every 2 days). Make sure you have a straight bow and your wrist is back. When you practice, pay attention to the little things, and not just the notes. Good luck and have fun.