| When you first learn any instrument, it can be | | | | Another important factor in playing the violin is time. |
| intimidating at the outset. But some take some advice | | | | While prodigies and child wonders do walk among us, |
| from a violinist who's been there, done that - it will | | | | they do not constitute the bulk of the world's musical |
| make your life much easier. | | | | talent. Research has shown that often times, those |
| First, make sure you take the time to acquaint yourself | | | | we consider the most talented in any given field (music |
| of the basics: proper posture, how to hold the bow | | | | included) did not necessarily show any special aptitude |
| correctly, the right way to curve your fingers around | | | | for it when they first started. What they did |
| the neck. Bad habits you pick up now will be difficult | | | | demonstrate, instead, was the desire to spend time on |
| and time-consuming to correct later on. They also | | | | their new hobby and practice, practice, practice. This |
| affect your tonal quality, so you will want to get them | | | | doesn't mean you have to be a slave to your |
| right! The other important thing to take into | | | | instrument, though! If you only want to practice ten, |
| consideration is practicing your scales. They might not | | | | fifteen minutes a day, that's fine. You're playing for fun, |
| seem as fun and as interesting as learning "real" songs, | | | | after all. As long as you are doing a little something |
| but if you devote just a minute or two a day to running | | | | every day, that's enough keep you progressing. |
| through your scales, you'll find learning other songs | | | | Finally, be fearless once in a while. Try a new, harder |
| much easier. Often times, songs will have scale | | | | song or a complicated technique. You might goof up |
| passages right in the melody (think "Joy to the World"), | | | | and sound terrible, or you might do better than you |
| and if you already know your scales then that's so | | | | expected. Challenging yourself is an important aspect |
| much more of the song you can already play. | | | | of learning anything. If we don't have a difficult task to |
| Practicing your scales also helps train your fingers' | | | | accomplish from time to time, we never get the |
| muscle memory for different key signatures. The | | | | chance to apply what we've learned and see if we've |
| better you know your scales, the less you'll have to | | | | really learned it. So go ahead and take that leap, you |
| hunt for notes. | | | | might be surprised at what you find on the other side. |