Anyone play violin?

[guitarguy]

Hi, I'm a lefty trying to play violin, I can use the bow and dabble but wish there was inlays or markers on it so I KNEW WHERE THE NOTES WERE! I guess I could use small round stickers but it doesn't look good. I wrote my own music in fl studio using a violin soundfont and a cello vst so I could have something to practice that wasn't so difficult.

I hand painted a crescent violin which cost 35 dollars off ebay, they are all right handed, so I broke the neck off the righty violin to replace it with a lefty neck I bought off ebay, but had to make that neck lefty. So I screwed the lefty neck in replace of the one I broke off. then covered the screw up and some of the wood that broke off, sanded that down and painted over that. I know its not totally left handed because of the post but its good in my book just waiting for some parts to arrive to finish it. so do you play or dabble? I might not respond to posts because I just don't get on here much. lol

 

[Datura]

I don't play violin but have thought about taking it up. Either that or cello.
I have seen beginners use sticker strips to demarcate specific notes. I don't know what the proper placement would be, but you could probably ask around music forums or shops to find out.

 

[Serenity]

Hi, I'm a lefty trying to play violin, I can use the bow and dabble but wish there was inlays or markers on it so I KNEW WHERE THE NOTES WERE! I guess I could use small round stickers but it doesn't look good. I wrote my own music in fl studio using a violin soundfont and a cello vst so I could have something to practice that wasn't so difficult.

I hand painted a crescent violin which cost 35 dollars off ebay, they are all right handed, so I broke the neck off the righty violin to replace it with a lefty neck I bought off ebay, but had to make that neck lefty. So I screwed the lefty neck in replace of the one I broke off. then covered the screw up and some of the wood that broke off, sanded that down and painted over that. I know its not totally left handed because of the post but its good in my book just waiting for some parts to arrive to finish it. so do you play or dabble? I might not respond to posts because I just don't get on here much. lol

I am a violin teacher.
I presume you play the guitar left handed, hence you want to play the violin left handed right? (Pun intended)
Try not to think of the violin and guitar as similar instruments. The violin is an easier instrument for the autistic brain to master so if you have already mastered the guitar playing the violin with the bow in your right hand will be far easier. You just need to "feel it" as an entirely different instrument.

Putting fret lines on the violin turns it back into a guitar unless you feel that your sense of pitch is really off and that bugs you (or your neighbours) senseless.

To start with just go with it, relax and don't worry where your hands and arms are. Just try and keep your back straight, and the rest of you loose and relaxed. Shake it out every time you tense up.

There are many traditional ways of holding and playing the violin across the world and as long as you don't get "stuck" in a cramped and awkward style for too long (i.e. Clamped up in a rigid stress ball trying to force your fingers down on to fret lines pre-placed while you glare at twinkle twinkle little star for three hours on a far away music stand) then you will be free to correct your posture to practice for a future in the great symphony halls in a month or two's time.

First and foremost is learning to love your instrument and finding out that the violin has a personality unlike any other instrument out there.

I am rarely on here so Good luck!

 

[Serenity]

Oh, btw, if you are really determined for "fret" lines then use gaffa tape in a bright colour (known as electrical tape in the USA). You will have to cut it width ways into 1/16th inch strips and then put them across the neck:
- first finger
- low second
- high second
- third finger
- fourth finger (if you are studying that yet)

You are able to feel the indentation of the electrical tape and the bright colour is easy to see against the black finger board (especial yellow tape).

Take each one off when you feel confident.
You can always replace it.

Regards,
Serenity