Returning to the violin after long hiatus

Hello everyone,

It sure has been a relatively long time since I visited this forum.  Things on my end have been stressful lately.  I’m also not sure if this is the right section to post this either, but I believe this is the closest I can get to actually “receiving” advice, namely about relearning the violin after a long break.

So over the past few days, I watched some videos on YouTube, and came across some really moving material on violin practice and performance, namely this video from Sophie C.  It specifically addressed my situation, and just right after, I recorded my own take on her video:

https://youtu.be/PxtByUcP6c8?si=Q3_EtgazyEqIIHKm

The main reason that I’m posting this here in the first place is because I feel I won’t get prompt, helpful feedback and advice directly on YouTube (you know what the community is mostly like there🙄).  And since the community here is, in my opinion and experience, very responsive and thoughtful, I feel I will take a gander and open up here.

I hope you have constructive feedback to give me regarding how to become proficient on the violin again after a long time without touching it, based on what you watched and listened, and hope you don’t cringe at the potentially obvious mistakes I played!😆

~Frank

Hi there,

I'm in a similar situation as you as I've been trying to pick the violin back up after a very, very long hiatus (my daughter has been taking violin lessons, inspiring me to pick it back up so we can play together).  I have no real suggestions aside from your tone quality is quite good and I think with just practicing regularly, you should get up to speed in no time.  Best of luck!

I've restarted after about 8 years of lessons and an 8 year break.

  Warning and an Affirmation:

        1.  You will sound terrible at first.  Very frustrating--its locked away in your cells but cant get out!!!

        2.  Get a teacher who gets you.

        3. Practice:  I practice 3 or 4 times a week, for 2 to 2.5 hours.

        4.   For several weeks/months, it will seem like slow progress--but you are rebuildiNG synaptic connections, fast memory, eys to hand "automation".  This simply takes time for the BODY to build.  Hit the old etudes, the old practice routine.  Try and have FUN.

       5.  And one fine day/week---- you will have a BREAK THROUGH AND YOUR OLD FORM WILL COME BACK.

  This took me about 5 months!!

  Now I am in just about where I was, and working happily.

                                                           Good luck and godspeed.....