Key takeaways

To get started, the most basic things you need to remember are:

1. Hold the instrument correctly and comfortably
2. Hold the violin bow properly
3. Practise for at least 30 minutes a day

How to play the violin

1. Hold the violin correctly

Of course, the first thing you’re going to do when learning the violin is pick it up! To ensure you play comfortably for years to come, it’s important to master the violin hold early on. 

The violin sits between the chin and the shoulder – we recommend choosing a comfortable chin rest and shoulder rest to get you started. To hold the violin correctly, you should keep your neck relaxed, position the violin on the collarbone, and support the instrument with your left hand (but don’t grip it tightly).

To play the violin comfortably for long periods of time, you need the right-sized violin.

2. Hold the violin bow correctly

In the same way you need to hold the instrument correctly, it’s also important to hold the violin bow correctly. The thumb sits on the frog, the middle finger should align opposite the thumb, and the other fingers should sit naturally and gently on the bow, with the index finger controlling the movement and pressure of your playing.

To master this, check out our guide to holding a violin bow.

3. Practise for at least 30 minutes a day

Regular practice is one of the most important things you need to remember when learning the violin. Even if you feel that you’re making very slow progress, playing the violin every day will improve muscle memory, familiarity with the instrument, and, crucially, your technique.

Incorporate scales and basic techniques into your practice routine. This is one of the best ways to master the fundamentals of violin playing.

Scales teach you about keys and harmony, help develop muscle memory, and improve finger placement accuracy. You’ll thank yourself later when you move on to complex pieces of music!

Repeating simple patterns also trains your fingers to move smoothly across the strings and enhances hand coordination – critical for mastering fast passages.

Basic techniques include things like bowing exercises and finger drills. They help develop your bow control and ensure you produce an even tone, with no deadened or buzzing strings. It’s crucial to learn the correct technique when you first start playing the violin as they deter any bad habits from forming later on. Over time, these daily repetitions lead to greater ease and fluidity in your playing.

Allocate 30 minutes each day to scales and these techniques – it’s not much but will improve your violin and bow hold and your intonation.

4. Set achievable goals

Learning for the fun of it is a great way to approach your practice, but sometimes, it can be extremely motivating to have some realistic goals in mind. Goals can provide structure and direction, helping you focus on specific aspects of your playing that need improvement.

Whether it’s mastering a new piece, improving your intonation, or preparing for a performance, knowing what you’re aiming for can ensure your practice sessions are productive. Plus, it encourages you to learn more difficult aspects of playing and not just repeat the easy sections of a piece you already know!

The other benefit of having goals is that they make it easy to measure your progress. We recommend breaking a larger goal down into smaller, more manageable milestones – that way, you’ll see tangible improvements rather than striving for something that seems too hard to reach.

For example, let’s say you have a new piece of music to learn. Focus on the passages that are challenging and set yourself the goal of mastering these before moving on to the rest of the piece. You’ll feel like you’re accomplishing something each week – which is super encouraging when you’re starting out on a new instrument.

5. Listen to violin music

It goes without saying, but if you want to play violin music, you should also listen to violin music! This gives you a good idea of what to aim for, helping you develop a stronger sense of tone, dynamics, and phrasing. Exposure to a variety of performances also builds your understanding of musical styles and interpretations.

Whether it’s a classical concerto or a contemporary piece, actively listening allows you to pick up on nuances like bowing technique, vibrato, and articulation. This enhances your musicality and helps you approach your repertoire with greater creativity and confidence.

Listening to violin music can also aid in ear training, sharpening your ability to recognise pitch and intervals accurately. This skill is essential for intonation, especially when practising scales and shifting positions.

6. Train your ear

Ear training is a crucial aspect of learning the violin, helping you develop the ability to accurately hear, identify, and reproduce pitches. It enables you to identify when your violin is out of tune and interpret music expressively.

Training your ear can involve various activities, such as listening to note intervals, matching pitches, or playing melodies by ear. Singing intervals or scales before playing them on the violin can further enhance your connection between sound and action. As well as enhancing your own playing abilities, it’s also a brilliant way of improving your ensemble skills, helping you blend with other musicians.

7. Observe more experienced violinists

If you want to advance in your violin playing, watch what others do! Observe skilled players, study their techniques and posture, notice how they express emotion in their music – these are all great things to look out for and can help you refine your approach to the instrument. it’s great to be inspired by others as they motivate us to work harder and smarter.

Experienced players often demonstrate subtle aspects of violin technique that are difficult to grasp through instructions alone. For instance, observing their use of bow pressure or wrist flexibility can clarify how to achieve a smoother tone or execute specific dynamics. You’ll also gain a better understanding of how to transition between techniques seamlessly, such as shifting positions or incorporating vibrato.

Watching performances helps develop your musical interpretation. Seeing how advanced players convey emotion and character through phrasing, expression, and stage presence can inspire creativity in your practice. It also reinforces the importance of posture and relaxation, which are key for avoiding tension while playing.

8. Join an ensemble

We mentioned ear training being crucial to ensemble playing, and to put this into practice, we highly recommend practising and performing with other musicians, whether it’s a small chamber group or a large orchestra. Ensemble practice enhances your sense of timing, rhythm, and musical awareness – things that can’t be fully developed through solo practice alone.

If you can work on listening closely and ensuring your part blends harmoniously with the group, you’ll naturally improve your ability to adjust dynamics, phrasing, and intonation, making you more adaptable as a musician. You’ll also learn a lot from your fellow musicians, and they’ll learn from you, and in turn, your confidence in playing the violin will grow.

Like setting personal goals can drastically improve the rate of your progression, having regular, structured ensemble practice sessions encourages discipline and accountability. You’ll work towards specific pieces or performances, motivating you to practise more and more.

FAQs

Can I teach myself violin?

You can teach yourself violin, but achieving proper technique and sound quality can be challenging without guidance. Beginners often benefit from structured lessons to avoid developing bad habits, but there are plenty of online tutorials and resources out there to help you teach yourself.

Is it difficult to learn the violin?

Learning violin is considered difficult due to the need for precise intonation, bow control, and hand coordination. It takes patience and consistent practice, but this is the same with any instrument! If you’re dedicated, you’ll pick up the violin quickly.

Can I learn violin in one year?

You can learn violin in one year to a beginner level, playing simple songs and developing basic techniques. Progress depends on how often you practice, how structured those practice sessions are, and how keen you are to master the difficult parts and not just stick to the easy passages. Advanced skills and repertoire take several years, but a year of focused effort lays a strong foundation.

Final thoughts

Practising and learning the violin can have challenges, just like any instrument, but knowing how to play the violin efficiently when you’re a complete beginner will help you excel in your practice quicker than you would otherwise.

It’s a beautiful instrument to master, and you’ll never be out of pieces to add to your repertoire. Plus, it’s a highly sought-after instrument for string quartets, orchestras, and other ensembles, so it’s a very handy instrument to know how to play!