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How many hours a day does one need to practice?

 
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pizzazzman2000
Junior Member


Joined: 09 Jan 2011
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:27 pm    Post subject: How many hours a day does one need to practice? Reply with quote

Hi,

I am 30 years old, here in India, and am interested in learning the violin.

How many hours a day does one need to practice the violin?

Someone told me that if you practice for ONE hour a day for 7 days a week, then you can learn well.

Note: My intention is to play well, so that if any friend/relative asks me to perform for him/her, or if someone asks me to volunteer to play the music for a theatre play,then I can perform well. I have NO intention of joining a national orchestra, or appearing on television!

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Thanks.
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Lemuel
Site Admin


Joined: 12 Aug 2010
Posts: 515
Location: Mt. Elgin, Ontario

PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The most important question to ask is whether you truly love to play the violin? Surprisingly, it can be a difficult question to answer. You may have to dig into your motives to find the answer.

A person who truly loves the violin will not even think about how many hours to spend with it - but rather always feel like never getting enough, always missing it (yes...even criticism from others will not discourage you.)

On the practical note, there is a correct and incorrect way of practicing. There is so much in starting off on a correction foundation that I would suggest you find a qualified violin teacher. You maybe practicing for a few hours a day, but developing the wrong habits.

In other words 10 minutes of correct practice is worth more than many hours of incorrect practice.

I hope this helps.

Please post more if you have more questions or thoughts.
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pizzazzman2000
Junior Member


Joined: 09 Jan 2011
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 4:07 am    Post subject: Thanks Lemuel! Further insight...... Reply with quote

Thanks very very much Lemuel for your valuable insight!!
I really appreciated that!
And yes, if you truly love the violin, you will miss it like anything, and always want more.

About my feelings: I have always had dreams of playing the violin. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, I had to postpone my debut into the violin world. I listen to a LOT of western classical music, and the violin really touches my heart and soul.

Considering your valuable insight, let me rephrase my question:

What is the minimum hours of correct practice, you need, especially for a beginner?

Would one hour of correct practice, 7 days a week, suffice? Of course, the more the better....

Thanks in advance!


Lemuel wrote:
The most important question to ask is whether you truly love to play the violin? Surprisingly, it can be a difficult question to answer. You may have to dig into your motives to find the answer.

A person who truly loves the violin will not even think about how many hours to spend with it - but rather always feel like never getting enough, always missing it (yes...even criticism from others will not discourage you.)

On the practical note, there is a correct and incorrect way of practicing. There is so much in starting off on a correction foundation that I would suggest you find a qualified violin teacher. You maybe practicing for a few hours a day, but developing the wrong habits.

In other words 10 minutes of correct practice is worth more than many hours of incorrect practice.

I hope this helps.

Please post more if you have more questions or thoughts.
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Lemuel
Site Admin


Joined: 12 Aug 2010
Posts: 515
Location: Mt. Elgin, Ontario

PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
What is the minimum hours of correct practice, you need, especially for a beginner?

Would one hour of correct practice, 7 days a week, suffice? Of course, the more the better....


When starting any new discipline, it is good to start slow and take frequent rests between practices. As your nervous system adjusts to the new routine, your practice sessions can be more intense and longer.

For example, recently I converted from playing with shoulder rest to playing without it. You can see some of the posts here.

http://www.violins.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=799&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=60
http://www.violins.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=799&start=75

At first I started only 5 minutes at a time, because the discomfort was great. Believe me, it was like learning how to hold the violin all over again. I took frequent rests, making sure that each time holding the violin, there was absolutely no pain, tension or stress. The moment discomfort occured, I put the violin down, went away and then came back to try again.

It took just a little over one month before I could hold the violin comfortably without any tension or pain - each time increasing the time of each practice. Now I can practice for a good three hours without getting tired.

Another factor determining how long you practice depends on the repertoire you want to achieve for yourself. The more difficult the piece, the more you'll need to practice.

You won't lose if you practice 1 hour a day.

I find that breaking up practice sessions seems to do better for me. For example, 2 half-hour sessions spread out over a day is better than one hour practice session. (However, many times I just can't stay away from the violin). Very Happy
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