I set myself a goal of playing only 5 minutes each day. I keep playing if I like to. But if I feel tired or unmotivated that day, I just stop right away. I want to train my brain to link playing the violin to enjoyable experiences. Even in some rare cases it is not, the pain is no more than 5 minutes, which is not too difficult to shrug off.
I say some of the same things to my adult beginners though I could stand to take some of this advice too haha. Otherwise I use teaching certain concepts to keep my own skills in that regard
Although I'm an adult learner (early 30's) I don't have kids to worry about yet, so fitting in time for practice at home isn't too much of a challenge thanks to my flexible work/learning schedule (for now). However, I've come to realise that I often fall into the trap of 'mindless practice' where I end up playing longer than what is necessary at my level before my mind mentally starts to slow down... which leads to snowballing effect where I get more frustrated and play worse toward the end. So I recently set up a timer on my phone for about 20 to 30 mins each time I practice, to prevent me from falling into the same trap...
thank you Eric! but at first i think its a objective guid or practice and you explain how play scales and and etudes and correct the problems. if you create a video that explain this, that can help so much. thank you again.
I’m 32 years old, yes i realized that it’s almost impossible to be a concert master etc, but is it still possible to play harder pieces like sarasate zigeunerweisen or perhaps carmen fantasy? Is it just a hobby for adults because of no time to practice or skill wise?
With enough practice you could do it. My violin teacher told me of a 33 year old person that started playing the violin at that age and still continues to play it. Also, I can't tell you how many comments of 65+ year old people i've seen that said they picked up the violin at that age because they wanted to keep their minds fresh and learn a new hobby. If you put in the consistent effort, you can achieve your desired level.
My problem is that I have enough time for lessons but i don't have the kind of money required to pay for them. Therefore, I have no choice than to teach myself. I want to learn so that I can play for my own enjoyment.
You have the best goal I can think of. When I decided to start learning the ukulele about 16 years ago, that was my goal, too. I’m self taught, by the way. My goal later changed to soothing and calming the sick and dying in hospice, and I got paid for it! After I retired from nursing, it changed again to entertainment for the elderly in facilities. This prompted me to build a band, and now it’s a quartet. My bandmates have prompted me to learn the violin. I don’t have a clear goal for that yet, because it’s a totally different kind of instrument. I won’t be singing while I play it. Teaching oneself isn’t impossible, it’s just more difficult. I recommend using a mirror, because you won’t have the benefit of a teacher correcting things. There’s some pretty good RUclips tutorials, I’ve used a few of them. Good luck!
I set myself a goal of playing only 5 minutes each day. I keep playing if I like to. But if I feel tired or unmotivated that day, I just stop right away. I want to train my brain to link playing the violin to enjoyable experiences. Even in some rare cases it is not, the pain is no more than 5 minutes, which is not too difficult to shrug off.
Keep it up!
Great advice Eric!
Hope it helps for you!
I say some of the same things to my adult beginners though I could stand to take some of this advice too haha. Otherwise I use teaching certain concepts to keep my own skills in that regard
Me too 🤣
Although I'm an adult learner (early 30's) I don't have kids to worry about yet, so fitting in time for practice at home isn't too much of a challenge thanks to my flexible work/learning schedule (for now). However, I've come to realise that I often fall into the trap of 'mindless practice' where I end up playing longer than what is necessary at my level before my mind mentally starts to slow down... which leads to snowballing effect where I get more frustrated and play worse toward the end.
So I recently set up a timer on my phone for about 20 to 30 mins each time I practice, to prevent me from falling into the same trap...
Using a timer is an excellent tip 😮
thank you Eric! but at first i think its a objective guid or practice and you explain how play scales and and etudes and correct the problems. if you create a video that explain this, that can help so much. thank you again.
Noted!
I’m 32 years old, yes i realized that it’s almost impossible to be a concert master etc, but is it still possible to play harder pieces like sarasate zigeunerweisen or perhaps carmen fantasy? Is it just a hobby for adults because of no time to practice or skill wise?
With enough practice you could do it. My violin teacher told me of a 33 year old person that started playing the violin at that age and still continues to play it. Also, I can't tell you how many comments of 65+ year old people i've seen that said they picked up the violin at that age because they wanted to keep their minds fresh and learn a new hobby. If you put in the consistent effort, you can achieve your desired level.
@@phrogtesem9410thankyou so much for the encouragement! I suddenly feel more motivated! :)
My problem is that I have enough time for lessons but i don't have the kind of money required to pay for them. Therefore, I have no choice than to teach myself. I want to learn so that I can play for my own enjoyment.
You have the best goal I can think of. When I decided to start learning the ukulele about 16 years ago, that was my goal, too. I’m self taught, by the way.
My goal later changed to soothing and calming the sick and dying in hospice, and I got paid for it!
After I retired from nursing, it changed again to entertainment for the elderly in facilities. This prompted me to build a band, and now it’s a quartet.
My bandmates have prompted me to learn the violin. I don’t have a clear goal for that yet, because it’s a totally different kind of instrument. I won’t be singing while I play it.
Teaching oneself isn’t impossible, it’s just more difficult. I recommend using a mirror, because you won’t have the benefit of a teacher correcting things.
There’s some pretty good RUclips tutorials, I’ve used a few of them.
Good luck!