Where to Begin When Returning to the Violin

Congratulations on your return to the violin. How exciting! There’s so much to consider as you move forward. Looking back, here are a few things that might help you.

First, it’s important to get in the right state of mind. You have taken a long break. Expect what comes after any long break from anything. You are unlikely to pick up where you left off and that is okay. Work on being okay with that. Accept that wherever you are, whatever you remember (or don’t), it’s fine. Get curious about what’s next in your journey, knowing that an exciting time is ahead of you.

Second, be aware of your body. Imagine a soccer player that hasn’t played for twenty years who shows up to a game. Does it make sense for him or her to play a full 90 minutes? The violin is an awkward instrument and you’re out of practice. You won’t always be. However, it will take time to get used to playing again. Make your well-being your top priority as you move forward.

When I first returned to the violin, I was a little too enthusiastic. I played for too long at a time and I had a setup that was inadequate. In fact, at the very beginning, I never really thought about my setup at all (I’ll write a future blog post on what I’ve learned about that). After just a few weeks, I had terrible elbow pain and had to take a break again. Don’t be like me!

Start slowly. Reacquaint yourself with your violin and begin to create a practice habit. Pick a regular practice time and start taking your violin out of the case on a regular basis. Opening the case every day always felt like a big barrier at the beginning. Rediscover what music you like to play to help define your interests and goals moving forward. Over time, gradually increase the amount of time you play. Prioritize a healthy mindset and body as you begin again to help ensure a good start and a positive experience.