Everything you need to know before you start learning violin

Don't make a big mistake before you even start learning violin!

Master Violin maker Olaf Grawert talks about the 9 important things you need to know before you start learning violin

00:00 Introduction
00:18 I hear a lot of stories
00:58 Why play the violin?
01:36 1. Is it quick?
02:05 2. Training your Hand
02:18 3. Practicing
02:28 4. Posture
03:05 5. The Right Kind of Violin
03:34 6. Your Sound
04:30 7. Persist
05:00 8. Holding a Violin is weird
07:00 9. Most importantly
07:36 Conclusion

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[georgekern]

Timing is Everything, thank you Olaf! I just started my Violin Journey and your channel has been a wonderful inspiration.

[gnolex]

I'd like to add something that applies to more than just learning violin. If you're making mistakes and you recognize that you make mistakes, that's great. That means you already have some understanding about the errors you're making and you have a general clue when they will be fixed. It would be much worse if you played bad and you didn't know that you play bad because you'd reinforce the bad parts. So don't treat mistakes as a failure, treat them as steps towards success.

[johncook]

Thank you Olaf. And thank you for being kind to my daughter Katie who visited you. She said you were very gracious.

[kristamoyer]

The three P's - Play, Practice, and Persist. Good video!

[DanielaBodoh]

"You can't learn violin in one hour"

Very true. Heck, I've been playing for almost 11 years and I'm still learning new things constantly. The learning doesn't stop after Twinkle variations 😃

[patrickstoute]

Thank you for your Inside. Im 43 and just starting out. Your experience means a lot. Deep warm hugs ❤️🫶🏼

[XxBlueEyedxX]

"My dad is a GERMAN master violin maker..." I knew it! I don't know why, but the way how you talk and look always made me wonder if you might have german ancestors. Greetings from Germany, and thank you for having the patience to help beginners out :)

[elissahunt]

These are excellent tips that can apply to learning just about any instrument. I think the most important ones are to start with a good, well-functioning instrument and a teacher who understands beginners. If you try to start learning an instrument without either of these things, you'll be setting yourself up for frustration and failure. I know there are good self-taught musicians, but it's a really hard way to begin. Even just a few lessons with a good teacher are better than none.

[TheVictorBrain]

I started playing the violin months ago, and you videos are very important for me. Even If i'm only playing it, understanding the anatomy of a violin is deeply important for me since it's a instrument with a soul and is an extension of me and my emotions.

[DmitriShostakovichDSCH]

i’ve been a cellist for 10 years and i’m just picking up the viola- thanks, olaf! this helps a lot, there’s a bunch i didn’t know that i probably should.

[PartScavenger]

Olaf, found you from TwoSet because I wanted to play violin. Your videos gave me confidence to buy some trash instruments to practice on. A month ago I found a late 1800s violin for $100 on Ebay, moldy and missing parts. I took it apart, cleaned it with warm water and set it in the indirect sun for a week. I polished, fit new pegs, cut a new nut, and carved a bridge while sitting next to you on YT.

It's beautiful. It sounds beautiful -- like some of the very expensive instruments I tried in a local shop, moreover it plays better. I can't put it down. I am so happy.

I am now a violinist with a wonderful instrument that I could afford thanks to you. I can't say thanks enough.

[this.is.a.username]

My only disagreement with Olaf would be regarding his comment about violin quality/price. First, completely understand that Olaf is a violin maker and this is his livelihood. Second, he's been doing this a long time and loves his career, so of course he would prefer if every beginner had a really nice instrument. I however grew up dirt poor and have a couple different takes.

1. Rent or borrow if you can. I know my teacher had a spare violin, so students could at least practice on a decent instrument if they needed to.. and her brother is a luthier that not only sold, but had rent-to-buy violins for more serious students that couldn't drop a couple grand right away. If you want to try out violin and this is the only route available for you to get to use a good instrument, go for it.

2. While it would be great to purchase a beginner violin that was made in a shop like Olaf's, a cheap violin that can hold a tune is better than no violin. In this economy, don't spend money you can't afford until you know it's something you're going to stick with it.. I spent quite a bit of money on just a cheap beginner instrument and then a few months later I had to put it down for well over a year due to work changes.

3. don't spend what you can't afford, seriously. Whether it's $150 or $15, 000... buyer's remorse is a real thing. If you couldn't afford to simply toss the instrument in the bin a week later, don't waste your cash.

[Casutama]

You're making this video at the perfect moment for me, because at the end of this month, I'm starting to learn not violin but viola. I'm really looking forward to that - thank you for making a quick and accessible video to remind me what's important to keep in mind when learning a string instrument.

[GaryGP]

Great advice!! I played so many years ago as a youngster and your videos (along with TwoSet) have inspired me to get back into it again. The violin is such an expressive and capable instrument, so many voices and tones can come from it, it's almost like a chameleon, it can change, but when you master it, you flow into the instrument as the instrument flows into you. I firmly believe that playing is like an exchange of ideas, the expressions speak of the story you want to tell, and the instrument likewise tells it's story back to you (the player) and the listener alike. Another wonderful video Olaf, thank you!

[thedoghouse]

I appreciate your tips olaf. I've been practicing and brushing up on my violin skills. I've been building up muscle for the Lower register of the instrument. Lately I've been taking tension relief breaks. For background, I was born with a condition similar to muscular distorphy, so any strain feels way more intense than "normal".

[saraalanhank]

I don’t know why my left hand sometimes grips the violin like a vise. It’s very difficult to play that way. That was good advice. Love your channel

[wen]

Oh! I was already find a teacher for violin recently, than I watched this video! Thank you for these tips. I am looking forward to the first violin lesson!

[auricia]

I have no intention to learn playing the violin, and yet, this is super interesting to know. Is it just me? 😅

[BensWorkshop]

Good tips there. Over here in the UK it isn't difficult to find old student violins of a reasonable standard, like the Maidstone or indeed what I have which is a Medio Finno (by JTL) both from lathe 19th to early 20th century. Around the £300 mark. Good set of strings and clean off the bow of excess rosin and we are good to go.

[YudRP]

Thank you Olaf, I can't explain how thankful I am about your videos. Bought my first violin by following your recommendations and now I'm almost 2 years having lessons! I started late but I'm having so much fun and I love finally finding my musical side. Thank you!!!