Hello everybody, I'am currently fourteen years of age and recently had an interest in the violin. I was wondering if the TL community could help me with my problems. Is it too late for me to start learning the violin or any instrument for that matter?

Can any of you also tell me about some experiences that you might have had that are similar to this or anything related to learning violins in general?

minus_human

4784 Posts

August 22 2011 11:20 GMT

It is absolutely never 'too late'. The only requirement is passion/dedication. There's no point in doing if you don't have more than a superficial interest.

Seeing as you're fourteen, I'd say that if in two weeks time you haven't forgotten about this and still want to learn, try it out.

Ludwigvan

Germany2371 Posts

August 22 2011 11:20 GMT

I can tell you that starting the instrument earlier is most of the time better, but you don't won't to become a new Paganini, do you? I started playing the piano with 17 and still got very good results. I don't play a whole Beethoven sonate, but a fugue from Bach is definately possible.

The problem with the violin is that it doesn't sound very good in the beginning (^_^). It really takes time to get a good sound, other than with the piano for example. So, don't be scared when you listen to a recording of your play for the first time. XD

Aim Here

Scotland672 Posts

August 22 2011 11:21 GMT

It's not too late. Even if it is too late for you to become an uber-professional concert violinist (and there's no rulebook that says it is, and even if there is, you should burn it), if you have an urge to learn the violin at your age, you should do it if you've got the opportunity, just for fun and to expand your options and horizons, if nothing else.

It's far, far better to learn it just for your own personal amusement than to not bother and then regret never learning a musical instrument in 30 or 40 years time.

Suichoy

Canada397 Posts

August 22 2011 11:21 GMT

Depends what you want to do with it. If you want to do it professionally, 14 is a little late (it doesn't sound that late but to acquire a solid intuitive technique takes at least 10 years) but you can still do it. The only problem really is being able to dedicate enough time through late high-school and college. Starting early is so good mainly because you can be so focused on it (as well as the mental elasticity and benefit of ingraining good habits).

However, if you just want to do it as a hobby, sure. Just join your school orchestra and with just a little practice, you'll reach a decent level in 2-3 years. Taking private lessons will accelerate your process greatly.

In sum, if you have the time, dedication, and money, go for it. I personally want to pick up either the guitar or drums at age 20 (on top of piano and saxophone) and I don't even have the time to really practice anymore.

Edit: Maybe someone can correct me but most good professional classical players I know start around age 8 latest and from there on out practice maybe an average 2-6 hours everyday.

Azera

3800 Posts

August 22 2011 11:23 GMT

I definitely have a passion for the violin and the music it can produce. Classical music is all I listen to 90% of the time. (I listen to dubstep too, it's so weird I listen to so many different genres of music.)

Plexa

Aotearoa39261 Posts

August 22 2011 11:26 GMT

14 is the perfect age to start learning. Yeah, you're a bit behind - but since your brain is more developed you should learn at a much more rapid pace.

Latham

9566 Posts

August 22 2011 11:27 GMT

You're 14 and you think it's too late? Kid, I started guitar at the age of 21. I may not be able to play like Jimmy Hendrix, but the simple tunes I CAN play give me immense satisfaction. If you're really passionate about it and willing to devote time, it's not too late, especially for someone of your age.

I dunno about giving concerts on a international stage, but you can definitely learn to play at a level to please yourself and others.

Also, don't buy a Stradivarius as you're first violin. Find a reasonably cheap one and grind it before you move onto the expensive brands.

Azera

3800 Posts

August 22 2011 11:46 GMT

Whats a Stradivarius?

BookTwo

1985 Posts

August 22 2011 11:51 GMT

#10

An extremely expensive violin made by family Stradivari. Not many remain, and some have been sold for over one million dollars.

And to add to everyone else, no, it is not too late. I started piano at around that age and play almost everyday. I am actually thinking of starting violin myself, and I'm twenty years old.

I assume your parents will be supporting you with lesson payments and the like?

beg

991 Posts

August 22 2011 11:56 GMT

#11

actually 14 is still quite young to start an instrument. you can easily become godlike with enough dedication.

i've seen young guitarists around your age become really good really fast, playing very fast and complex soli after only about a year of practice.

Vinnesta

Singapore285 Posts

August 22 2011 11:59 GMT

#12

If possible, join your school's String Ensemble (if it has one) or Chinese Orchestra. That gives you the most motivation to practice; learning an instrument with no avenue to perform can kill your motivation to improve. Take lessons too. You'll improve leaps and bounds if you're truly passionate about your instrument.

Azera

3800 Posts

August 22 2011 11:59 GMT

#13

On August 22 2011 20:51 BookTwo wrote:
An extremely expensive violin made by family Stradivari. Not many remain, and some have been sold for over one million dollars.

And to add to everyone else, no, it is not too late. I started piano at around that age and play almost everyday. I am actually thinking of starting violin myself, and I'm twenty years old.

I assume your parents will be supporting you with lesson payments and the like?

Yea they will. My mom is really enthusiastic about me learning an instrument, but as for my dad... he's soso.

BookTwo

1985 Posts

August 22 2011 12:06 GMT

#14

That's great. My dad was the one who took me to lessons. I'm always grateful now that he did, music is a big part of my life.

Best of luck! I might just be following in your footsteps and getting lessons myself!

brachester

Australia1786 Posts

August 22 2011 12:12 GMT

#15

On August 22 2011 20:03 Azera wrote:

Hello everybody, I'am currently fourteen years of age and recently had an interest in the violin. I was wondering if the TL community could help me with my problems. Is it too late for me to start learning the violin or any instrument for that matter?

Can any of you also tell me about some experiences that you might have had that are similar to this or anything related to learning violins in general?

well, like plexa said, you are def a bit behind compare to other people starts earlier, but your brain is developing so you tend to catch up quicker than they're start studying violin at the age of e.g. 9
I used to play piano for 3 years when i was 8, then i quit because i hated it back then, now i start picking it up again and the amount i learned in 1 year is more than the amount i learned in those 3 years, but of course if i didn't quit and still playing since then, i would be a lot better. I just think of it in term of fast and slow accerleration at different age.

Probe1

United States17920 Posts

August 22 2011 12:14 GMT

#16

What do you mean too late! I'm 24 and every six months I rent a new instrument I've never played before and learn a rudimentary amount about it to see if I enjoy it. To date I'm a damn good with a guitar, piano or trombone and I know how to not sound horrible with half a dozen other instruments.

It's never too late to learn anything! The popular myth that you have to start learning at a young age t become accomplished is crap. All you have to do is have passion and devotion. But to just learn you'll be just fine no matter how old you are.

brachester

Australia1786 Posts

August 22 2011 12:26 GMT

#17

On August 22 2011 21:14 Probe1 wrote:
What do you mean too late! I'm 24 and every six months I rent a new instrument I've never played before and learn a rudimentary amount about it to see if I enjoy it. To date I'm a damn good with a guitar, piano or trombone and I know how to not sound horrible with half a dozen other instruments.

It's never too late to learn anything! The popular myth that you have to start learning at a young age t become accomplished is crap. All you have to do is have passion and devotion. But to just learn you'll be just fine no matter how old you are.

What do you mean by damn good? since to be "damn good" in a lot of people standard, you need to spent years training. You can play "decent" with a lot of instruments but to be damn good you need to focus one at a time, especially for violin since it is one of the hardest instruments on earth. One of my friend been playing for 3 years and it still sounds like crap, but once you master it, it became one of the most beautiful instrument ever made.

synapse

China13814 Posts

August 22 2011 12:38 GMT

#18

14 is nothing. Go start right now.

divito

Canada1213 Posts

August 22 2011 12:39 GMT

#19

As Suichoy said, if you happen to mean going about it professionally, it would be incredibly difficult but not impossible.

As for a general education standpoint, it is never too late to pick up an instrument. Learning at a decent rate and ability to utilize that information goes down as you get older, but that only means it might take a little longer than when you were younger and had more time to absorb what you were learning.

Animostas

United States568 Posts

August 22 2011 12:44 GMT

#20

You know how people say that it's never too late to start playing Starcraft professionally? Same with music.

There is a correlation between starting early and being professional, but since you're doing it because you like it, you'll be able to develop much faster starting off than they did when they were starting off. Keep the motivation up and you'll be Masters League violin ezpz.

I started off on violin but I didn't really appreciate it much so I kinda quit early :[ I will live vicariously through you.