what to do w/ this violin??

AmyKinWI · 05-09-2006, 10:17 PM

My dad gave me this violin he bought at a swap meet. The case is great!(one plus )
the violin itself appears to be an inexpensive student version, made in China. The bow is warped and the bridge seems to be oddly shaped, higher on one end? It's hard to play w/o hitting more than one string at a time, must be due to the bridge?
I'm wondering if it's possible to salvage this for my young dd who may grow into a 4/4 size soon.

~FreT~ · 05-11-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmyKinWI

My dad gave me this violin he bought at a swap meet. The case is great!(one plus )
the violin itself appears to be an inexpensive student version, made in China. The bow is warped and the bridge seems to be oddly shaped, higher on one end? It's hard to play w/o hitting more than one string at a time, must be due to the bridge?
I'm wondering if it's possible to salvage this for my young dd who may grow into a 4/4 size soon.

Hi.
Bridges are like that. They're asymmetrical. I don't know how warped your bow is, though. Could you take a picture of the bow and the bridge and post it here?
Sure, violins can last for years.

AmyKinWI · 05-14-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~FreT~

Hi.
Bridges are like that. They're asymmetrical. I don't know how warped your bow is, though. Could you take a picture of the bow and the bridge and post it here?
Sure, violins can last for years.

Are they really? I never noticed it quite so severe on my other 2 violins -i'll have to look now. It just seems like you can't play any of the strings separately without hitting 2 at once - or at least it's very difficult- not at all like my other violins. I'll try to post a pic of the bow.

~FreT~ · 05-15-2006, 02:25 AM

And post a pic of the bridge too.

metalchris25 · 05-15-2006, 02:29 AM

I have always wanted to try playing violin. Never even seen one, though. Is it hard? (I know how to read music, I play trumpet, guitar, drums, sax, etc...)

~FreT~ · 05-15-2006, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalchris25

I have always wanted to try playing violin. Never even seen one, though. Is it hard? (I know how to read music, I play trumpet, guitar, drums, sax, etc...)

It all depends on the musicality of the person.

AmyKinWI · 05-16-2006, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalchris25

I have always wanted to try playing violin. Never even seen one, though. Is it hard? (I know how to read music, I play trumpet, guitar, drums, sax, etc...)

I've heard it's one of the hardest instruments to play, not sure why - I think because so much relies on your bowing hand/wrist position and playing the strings at the right angle, pressure,etc.
that said, I am by no means a musical genius, but after playing guitar and piano for a while, my teacher is amazed I picked up the violin so quickly .She says I am at a 3rd year level (in my first year).
Not to brag- I really don't think I'm all that good at violin- but I think if you have experience in reading music, and a string instrument already, it's much easier.

guitarzan21 · 05-16-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmyKinWI

I've heard it's one of the hardest instruments to play, not sure why - I think because so much relies on your bowing hand/wrist position and playing the strings at the right angle, pressure,etc.

You bet it is! I study classical guitar at university so I thought I would be able to pick up the violin and make some sense of it. I thought I would be able to pick out a simple song or something. I was able too, but it was so out of tune and difficult that I decided it was best for all for me to leave it alone!! I gained a new respect for the players of non-fretted instruments! And it made me want a fretless guitar.

AmyKinWI · 05-21-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarzan21

You bet it is! I study classical guitar at university so I thought I would be able to pick up the violin and make some sense of it. I thought I would be able to pick out a simple song or something. I was able too, but it was so out of tune and difficult that I decided it was best for all for me to leave it alone!! I gained a new respect for the players of non-fretted instruments! And it made me want a fretless guitar.

My teacher had gave me a sticker she uses with younger students - it goes right on the neck- and marks out the "frets" , just like a guitar, they are colored lines on a clear sticker. After using that for about 9 months- I can generally play a song without looking at the fret lines.

~FreT~ · 05-22-2006, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmyKinWI

My teacher had gave me a sticker she uses with younger students - it goes right on the neck- and marks out the "frets" , just like a guitar, they are colored lines on a clear sticker. After using that for about 9 months- I can generally play a song without looking at the fret lines.

I used to use those strips too. They were just white, though.

His_Violinist · 06-05-2006, 01:27 PM

As you've probably already guessed, the bridge is higher on the left side than the right. Also, the bow is supposed to slope like a very gradual smiley face. If it slopes the other way, however, you're in trouble. Bowing is hard on the violin, it just takes practice to keep from hitting more than one string at a time. And when you get to playing chords, you'll want to hit more than one string at a time. Good luck!