Violin Forum/Message Board

[Alison]

Hello from the dry Mallee region of Australia. I have recently resumed practicing after 20 years of neglecting my violin, and I look forward to being able to ask questions of other players as I rediscover the joys and challenges of playing. I am working my way through Simon Fischer's books 'Basics' and 'Practice'. They seem excellent ways to remind myself of basic technique.

[Steven Potter]

Hello Alison,

Greeting from the far side of the globe!
My first violin teacher told me that when he started playing he spent a considerable amount of time teaching himself, only to find out later that he had learned a lot of bad habits. The intensity of his practice made it very difficult to "un-learn" those parts of his technique which, ultimately, would have caused big problems for him.

My point....book learning is good, but you may want to spend some time with a good teacher as well. I see my violin teacher once a week and it always amazes me the subtleties of what is required to make beautiful music with a violin.

Good luck with your music.
_________________
Steven Potter
Toronto