Getting Some Direction When Returning to the Violin

It’s the reality. There will be gaps when you return to the violin. There will be gaps in knowledge and there will be gaps in technique. Unfortunately, it’s very hard to identify the gaps without help from someone more experienced. Figuring out where your gaps are helps you make the most of your time when you return to the violin after a long hiatus. It’s like finding the shortest path between where you are and where you want to be.

When I first returned to the violin, I went at it alone. Without any great aspirations, it was difficult to justify the cost of weekly lessons, and I honestly didn’t see the value at the time. Eventually, I tried video exchanges and some online courses that had a video exchange option (which were excellent). Ultimately, however, I ended up taking weekly lessons. For me, the combination of constant feedback, direction, and accountability helped me make progress much faster than any other way.

In my experience, the key if you want to make rapid progress is to figure out at the beginning where you should start¾ whether you take weekly lessons or not. I regret not getting feedback earlier. Having a better sense of what to focus on could have saved me a lot of time. What aspects of your playing if improved will make the biggest difference?

It doesn’t have to be all (weekly lessons) or nothing. There are some teachers who do video exchanges, there are online courses with video exchange options, there are teachers that let you take one-off lessons, there are in-person teachers, and there are online teachers. So, think about how you might get some feedback on where to begin again and start gathering information. If you are able, I think taking regular lessons is a great option that allows for continuity and a lot of growth. If that isn’t in the cards for financial or other reasons, consider doing a single session, periodic, or bi-weekly lessons with a teacher who is open to that to get some feedback. Let that person give some direction to your journey as you return to the violin and see where things go!