Being serious about music is a major decision. That is because anyone cannot expect to be serious in his music and have many other interests or preoccupations; it just wouldn’t work out right. If you ever decide on pursuing music, whether as a career or as a serious hobby, then you have better give it very serious attention and the right amount of time. There is no other way to go about it, definitely none, if you want to be successful in it. Whether you are truly an artistic person whose inclinations tend to favor playing musical instruments or just someone who wants to have a new hobby, it is still the same. You need to be very serious about learning and growing as a musician, so that you can finally achieve the goals that you’ve set for yourself.
I should know about all of these things, since I am in the process of learning how to play the violin. It is just the beginning stages of the process, but I al already feeling the pressure as well as the excitement of aspiring to become a musician. Add to that the fact that the violin is not the easiest musical instrument to learn, and there lies the challenge of it all. There are just so many aspects to it that I think that it would certainly keep me very much occupied. In fact, I am concerned right now with getting a better instrument, since the violin that I’m currently using does not seem to be up to the standards that I should be playing and practicing at.
Choosing Your Violin
Since I am not yet that familiar with distinguishing a really good violin from a mediocre one, I have made it a point to bring along my instructor and anyone who is quite knowledgeable about it. Everyone else who is in my position would do well to do the same. Here are the things one should consider when trying to answer the question of how to choose a violin.
• If you are already decided that you would be buying a brand new violin, consider the budget that you will setting aside for it. Although the cost of the violin does not really accurately represent its quality, it is still right to be fully aware of it. Hand crafted violins are particularly expensive, and you should take that into consideration when buying.
• See to it that the instrument is set up properly. This means that the bridge is not warped and also fits just right and the pegs are turned easily. The violin strings should also be placed just right, in terms of its distance from another and its height above the fingerboard.
• Make sure that you examine the wood that the violin is made from. This is crucial in determining how long you will have and be able to play the instrument. Also be sure to play several different violins before making your final choice, so that you can see the distinction between the sounds and the kind of feel that you would like to have.