This page  is primarily intended for beginners learning violin and looking for violin lessons, but can be applied to any violinists at any level. It is one of the most repeated questions in forums as to whether one needs a violin teacher, or they can study themselves with the aid of the internet or books (Check out the violin tutor videos from the web at the end of this page). Probably, you are starting to learn violin as your first musical instrument, or you have already mastered several instruments either yourself or with the help of music teachers and looking forward to studying violin as your next. So, back to our question

Is a violin teacher needed to learn violin?

The speed with which you learn violin or any instrument depends on various factors in which one of the  primary factors is sight reading skill or the ability to reproduce that music when seeing the first time. Every person differs in their sight reading skill. The second time you read the music, it becomes easy for you to play, the third time easier and so on. Moreover, violin has a lot of technical details unlike many other instruments like piano or guitar. These details starts with day one with violin hold, bow hold and extends as you progress to so many things like vibrato, shifting, staccato among others. So, you have more than enough difficulty in reproducing that piece of music that you see on paper on your violin and if unmonitored there is every possibility to pick up bad habits in posture, technique, finger positions, the way fingers are placed, and such.  These wrong habits, once learned are difficult to get rid of, and you certainly require an experienced hand for that. So it is always better not to pick any bad habits from the beginning with the help of a teacher. A violin teacher is very important to give you immediate feedback when you learn a violin piece so that you do not practice it incorrect for hours or even days.

There are many video violin lessons in CD, which can be bought and there are free violin videos in youtube and other similar sites. However, they cannot replace the guidance provided by a  violin teacher. Why? Primarily, because they cannot give immediate feedback when you learn a violin piece. Online videos and lessons should be viewed as complimentary to what you study from your teacher.

It is true that there has been some remarkable improvements in distance music learning especially with the advent of video cameras. However, we still have to wait and see how that helps. So always try to  find a good violin teacher as online violin lessons cannot replace the instruction provided by a  violin teacher.


Where to look for a  violin teacher

Many music shops offer lessons for violin. If they don't, they might give you contacts of someone who gives violin lessons. Another place to check is with any good violinist in your school or community concert if any. They might be able to refer their teacher or someone they know. University music departments are another place as many university violin teachers conduct extra lessons outside. You may also advertise in local classifieds or web sites or scan for advertisements by violin teachers. You may also check with ViolinProfiles who has a large number of violin teachers and violinists in USA, and around the world registered with them.

How many classes do I need?

Many people who want to learn violin find violin lessons little expensive. Some others find it hard to travel across long distances to reach the teacher. In that situation, if you can settle for half an hour of violin class one time a week with a good violin teacher will help you a much in progressing forward. For most beginners one lesson a week is enough, and they may have to practice it for a full week before going on to the next. Even 2 classes a month will make sure that you are progressing in the right direction even if little slower.

Here are some of the nice violin tutor videos from web. These videos are intended for a beginner violinist. Even though we might have started violin long time back it is always a good idea to cross check our techniques with these tutor videos.


Holding the bow part 1        Violin hold and finger placement 1

Holding the bow part 2        Violin hold and finger placement 2

Holding the bow part 3        Violin hold and finger placement 3                  

String crossing                     Playing in tune