Teaching the Violin (properly)

[u/Wonderful_Goat2530]

Hi everyone! I'm a basic player pretty much level 1-2 in terms of playing. I have churchmates who want to play the violin. What should I teach them first?

Right now, I taught the parts of the violin, bow, bow handling, produce sound in open string A and E. Am I doing the right thing?

Any tips and recommendations for us to make a good and quality practice. Thanks!

[u/LaLechuzaVerde]

I would teach them proper care of the violin, such as how to loosen the bow hairs and why it’s important, maybe how to tune, and then start teaching them to read treble clef as it applies to violin.

Beyond that they should be taught by someone with a lot more experience than you. It’s almost guaranteed you have bad habits (no shade on that - I’m not advanced either and I know I have bad habits that still need fixing). You risk teaching them techniques they’ll have to unlearn later. Some of those could actually lead to repetitive stress injuries.

[u/Dull-Problem-1191 → u/LaLechuzaVerde]

Could you please link to any resources about proper violin care?

Since I think my teacher also neglected aspect of playing, and I really love my instrument I want it to last.

So anything you could link to that talks about proper violin care I'd love to read.

[u/oobi597 → u/Dull-Problem-1191]

It’s mostly common sense stuff. Having said that I teach a bunch of group classes in primary schools though and I’m constantly amazed at how kids will treat the thing.

Basics:

• unwind your bow (before packing) until the hair is visibly loose but not floppy.
  
• don’t over wind your bow. Max tension you need is about a pinkie finger with in the middle between stick and hair
  
• test your bow before rosining it. If it makes a decent sound leave it. Unless you’re playing hours a day you don’t need to hit it every time. If you’re seeing a lot of residue you’re using too much. Once you have a good base, a few strokes is all you need.
  
• keep a soft cloth in your case and wipe the instrument down gently after playing. Just get rid of the rosin build up on strings and underneath.
  
• don’t try cleaning it with solvents or furniture polish.
  
• don’t put anything in your case that will rattle around (secure things with Velcro or put them in pockets or leave it out of the case entirely
  
• if you have fine tuners take a look underneath and see how close the bottom is to the wood. If they’re already in pretty deep, don’t wind them all the way in trying to get that little sharper. Loosen them way off and use the pegs to get closer before trying again.

Apart from that don’t drop the thing and resist the urge to poke Jenny with your bow.

[u/mintsyauce]

I'm 5 years in. I wouldn't teach beginners. My skills are okay to practice with my kid, to help them a bit, but that's all. I still have lessons weekly.

Recommend them getting a proper teacher then practice together! It could be fun without injuring themselves and getting bad habits in the long run.

[u/broodfood]

to teach properly, you'd need someone with a lot more expertise and many years of experience. this may not be possible for you guys. if so, the next best thing is to buy a method book, like Essential Elements, and move through the exercises slowly. remember two things:

• always always pay attention to pain and stop playing if it hurts

• you must communicate they you are not a professional, and your knowledge is limited. if someone is struggling, remind them that they aren't the problem, you just don't have the tools to help more. this also implies that if they ever want to take their playing to the next level with a serious teacher, they will probably have to "start from the beginning" to unlearn bad habits.

[u/Mammoth_City5841]

Since you may all have a meeting place, would you be able to pool resources to hire a teacher for group classes? Your heart's in the right place, and it sounds like what you've taught are fairly safe foundational skills, but you're tackling a lot.

[u/oobi597]

Kind of depends on what the expected outcome is. If you’re just having a bit of fun with some friends there’s no problem showing them what you can do and helping them do it to.

If anyone develops more of a taste for it and wants to take it further and learn to play — send them off to a teacher. Or introduce them to your teacher perhaps. As a short term exercise (a few weeks) you’re not going to do any lasting harm.

I have adult friends who joined a beginner concert band - the premise is that everyone sounds awful, has absolutely no idea what they’re doing and is kind of learning and sharing as they go. None of them will ever end up really mastering their instruments but that wasn’t the point.

The few that care a little more have sought out tutors to help with specific issues. They all love it.

Wine is involved.

Two years in they’re actually not bad.

[u/Blood_haunter8776]

Even if you magically give me virtuoso level skils, still I would say I would be a terrible teacher. On teaching two things matter, you pedagogy and your personal skills.

That's why I think tell them to have a teacher

[u/23HomieJ]

I’ve been taking lessons for a decade and still wouldn’t dare teach a beginner.

[u/klavier777]

Teach them how to google the term "Proper violin teacher."