STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

lynnie · Chanel

Does anyone on this board play the violin?

RyanJ · Coach

I learned how to play the guitar at about 17 years old. I think the benefit of learning how to play when you are older is that this is actually something you want to do and now being forced by your parnets. I did everything and more my teacher asked of me. I am pretty good too- good enough to be asked to play in a band.

ico · Dooney & Bourke

lynn, I started to study classical guitar when I was 8 (but I just "broke up" with my teacher I hate him!), and I have known several musicians.

So, I think that unless you want to become the first violin at L'Opera de Paris, no, it's not too late. You'll be doing something you love and not something someone else imposed you (as RianJ pointed out), and if you spend time studying and doing exercises, you'll become really good.

Hope you'll give it a try, music s a wonderful thing!

manhattanmonkey · Kenneth Cole

My dad wanted to learn to play the fiddle (same thing as a violin basically) and he was 50 at the time. He now plays with the local 'jammers' at little get togethers and loves it.

He basically taught himself to play (with the guidance of some friends) but if he can do it, you can too!

ChineseAssassin · Nine West

I'm sort of in the same situation you're in lynnie - I've been obsessed with learning the piano for the longest time (I'm 22), but I'm concerned about scheduling lessons.

For anyone here who's taken any musical lessons at an older age, when do you usually take them? After work? Just weekends?

And wouldn't you need at least 2 lessons a week to benefit from this?

kenzie · Chanel

I used to play the violin. I loved it, but I was involved in waaaay too many activities (singing, theater, dancing, piano, volleyball, basketball, ect, ect) and my mom made me drop one and that was the one that went. But anyway, I found it very easy and my teacher cried (literally) when I quit (I should note that I am musically inclined).

I think that if you want to learn, you should go for it. What's stopping you? If you never do it, you might regret it.

ETA: When I took voice lesson (up until 2 years ago), I took them in the evenings. When I started working in retail, that went out the window (yet another reason I'm glad I quit my job- I can start taking voice lessons again).

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 17:25, 2005-06-05

lynnie · Chanel

how expensive are lessons and how should I go about finding them? This is ALL brand new to me. I took piano for 2 years when i was about 9- i quit though and my mom said i would regret it- grrr she was sooo right!

Lilykind · Hermes

I would try with local colleges and universities first and then look for music schools in your area.

I started violin when I was 8 years old and I stopped at 14. I was definitely musically inclined and it broke my heart when I stopped. I couldn't continue since I went to a Catholic HS that didn't offer orchestra. I am officially regretting not taking to the piano more when I was 8, not keeping up with the violin, not keeping up with the classical voice...oh yeah, please don't be like me.

Night classes should be very easy to find...I took acting and voiceover classes during the night on top of my regular school and found it very manageable.

kenzie · Chanel

Lilykind wrote:

I would try with local colleges and universities first and then look for music schools in your area.

This is what I was going to recommend as well, but Lilykind beat me to the punch. Colleges and music schools are probably your best bet.

blubirde · Chanel

NylaBelle wrote:

Lilykind wrote: I would try with local colleges and universities first and then look for music schools in your area. This is what I was going to recommend as well, but Lilykind beat me to the punch. Colleges and music schools are probably your best bet.

I used to play all kinds of instruments and can still play a few. I want to learn how to play the guitar though - maybe I'll start my own one-woman band! Just kidding. Also try looking at music stores where violins or parts for violins are sold. There are usually bulletins up offering lessons and such.

Good luck! If you get good maybe you can join a community orchestra (which is my next goal). That would be so cool.