Play The Violin
If you are interested in playing music, but not certain where to start, you may consider picking up the violin.
Why? The violin is a great instrument to learn because it gives you the freedom to choose what music to play. Violins are found in many different cultures and musical styles from around the world, so you will be able to choose from a large variety.
Many musical styles are possible on the violin.
You can play traditional sounds of Middle Eastern, Asian, and Eastern cultures which are not possible on instruments like the guitar (see the music styles that are playable on the guitar) or the piano. On the violin, you can also play rock, chamber music, pop, jazz, hip-hop, Americana, bluegrass, classical, baroque, romantic, modern, post-modern, indian classical, folk, arabic, persian, klezmer – you name it!
Learn the music that you want on the violin.
A former student of mine loved playing the violin for this very reason. He first began his violin lessons by learning to play the violin with a traditionally classical music method while studying with another violin teacher. Unfortunately, he soon began to lose interest in the instrument because he was not interested in classical music.
He eventually began studying with me. After spending some time identifying other music that would better suit his interests, primarily a few non-classical styles, we settled on his favorite movie soundtrack, The Lord of the Rings, and bands, including Coldplay. The more time I spent with him, the more he wanted to practice and learn music. What excited me most, is that no matter how his tastes and preferences in music evolved over time, he was always able to play the music that he felt passionate about with the violin.
Listen to some examples of these styles in the video above. The excerpts include:
1. “Baker’s Favorite” – traditional American
2. “Dewey Square” by Charlie Parker
3. “Violin Concerto in A minor: Allegro Moderato” by J. S. Bach
4. Improvisation based on 50 Cent’s “In Da Club”
Thanks for reading and for following your interest in music. What drives you to play? What inspires you? Would love to get your thoughts below…
5 Comments
U don't like classical music? Y not? It makes me sad when people say that because classical music is so beautiful but people just need to actually appreciate and pay attention to the music and melody. :)
U don't like classical music? Y not? It makes me sad when people say that because classical music is so beautiful but people just need to actually appreciate and pay attention to the music and melody.
I really dislike classical music, but I would love to play "Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion or "Secrets" by One Republic someday. Teachers really should teach children how to play music based on their music preferences!
Motivation is a huge factor when it comes to keeping people of all ages interested. I'd agree that it's a good idea to teach children what they like. I also think it's a good idea to expose children to things they don't yet know. Children always know what they like, but they don't always know what they could like.
i think most people associate classical music with the classical or baroque era, and ofc i can see why that would be boring, but tbh the romantic period is where it’s at. the passion, and the dramatic pieces are superb. also, without classical music being the foundation, celine dion’s “my heart will go on” song most likely would not exist :)
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