Violin Forum/Message Board

[violinguy]

I have played guitar, drums, and bass guitar for many years and have long wanted to try violin. My story starts here.........I am a school teacher who teaches elementary school age children. Well, I've always voluteered to work the violin concerts several times each year. I was friends with the violin instructor and always envied his talent. Well the years passed and finally I'm about to embark on a trip of learning the violin. One big hurdle I'll have will be that I'm a lefty and have always played my guitar and bass left handed but for the violin I will be learning righty. I hope this won't be too difficult Well, wish me luck and hopefully with your support and insight, I'll make it! I'm not a young pup! Thanks

vg

[Shirley]

Hello, Vguy! You should have a great (and sometimes frustrating) time ahead of you, but you sound well-prepared. Don't let the ego-bruising adventure of learning to play the violin get to you! (As an adult, this is almost inevitable.)

You are wise to decide to learn to play the violin "righty." There is no reason this should be harder than learning left handed, and there are many things in its favor - playing with a stand partner, for one! Also, playing left-handed requires more of your instrument than just restringing it - the bridge, soundpost, and bass bar would need to be repositioned.

But you do play the frets of the guitar with your right hand? This could be a drawback learning to finger the notes with the left hand. Hmmmm. I sure wish a guitar player would get on here and answer your concerns.

So, mainly I am saying, good luck, and go for it!

Shirley

[violinguy]

Thanks Shirley. I have played guitar righty often so it shouldn't be too difficult. I enjoy practicing and this I know will help me adjust. Thanks again.

vg