What inspired you the most to start playing a stringed instrument as an Adult?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Maria Marx on May 2, 2009 at 8:25am

Role Model: Itaz Pearlman on Sesame Street
Support: Parents, Husband
Discourgement: college violin teacher

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barry Nelson on May 2, 2009 at 1:10pm

Ive always loved the sound of the violin. Ive got no real reason why I waited so long to learn. I wish Id started sooner, but, cant change the past. Just glad Im playing now.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Louetta Dishman on May 2, 2009 at 8:01pm

When music moves me, I can't respond by singing or dancing because I can't do either. When I heard Via Dolorosa by Sandi Patti, I wanted to recreate that emotional feeling for myself and somehow from that I was inspired to try the violin at 38 years old. I was a closet string player for a few years because I wasn't sure how to proceed and used technique books to learn on my own. I have since added the viola and cello to my collection. I like the deeper tones of the viola compared to the violin. I decided to try the cello after hearing The Music of the Night. Ten years now since I first started with strings, I finally have found teachers for viola and cello. I'm very much enjoying the adventure.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by eddymontreal on May 5, 2009 at 9:04am

For me, I don't think it was the sound of the violin as much as the fact that I was always fascinated by the strings section in an orchestra: how violins would sound differently together versus a solo violin. I also liked the fact of being able to play in an ensemble. And why the violin and not the cello for instance? Probably for its size, high pitch, cheaper for me (when I bought my first instrument)… And of course, the sound, the passion and everything else followed.

Unfortunately, I got discouraged by many around me and still today I think. Sometimes also the voice within pops-up and I wonder sometimes if I should stop playing or am I too harsh on myself.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Greg Cahill on May 6, 2009 at 4:17pm

Why did I pick up an instrument again as an adult? Just looking for a chance to relax, just me and the instrument and the rich woody tones of an acoustic instrument--far, far away from the stresful demands of the workaday world and the kids. My family was supportive--no one said I sounded horrible, at least not till they said I was sounding pretty good (the inference being that I had sounded pretty bad for the past few months). Oddly enough, I've had a couple of teachers who were unsupportive (in addition to a couple of really supportive ones). In general, some teachers struggle with adults, because we may not practice and don't want to get any grief about it. Or we may object to being subjected to rigorous physical stress when we suffer from carpal tunnel or whatever. And then there are more highly trained players who snub their noses at me. Actually, a string teacher friend told me I'm what is known as a sideways learner--I guess because I don't build on scales and etudes and songs. I just . . . sorta . . .noodle. Gettin' pretty good at it, too.

And I don't regret one minute of the thousands of hours I've spent noodlin' as an adult enthusiast.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jerry Ronny Posumah on May 8, 2009 at 8:50am

Yes the sound of the instrument! All cinematic orchestral songs inspire me the most. I just think why I let myself so long only to be a listener and not to try to play. But the time comes finally.
I support myself. I read books about motivation. So one day I will quit my job and run a music school. I want to support my environment. The youth and adult begginers.
Discourage people: The president director of Conservatory Music. They underscored me.
But never mind because I'll find my way to learn

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darren Howard on June 20, 2009 at 7:09am

I have to admit (please don't laugh) but it was Andre Rieu who inspired me and I think many others to take up the violin. He makes his performances enjoyable to watch and I guess to some extent I wanted to feel part of what he was feeling, not that I will ever make it to that level of playing.

Others who have also added to the inspiration were players such as Pekka Kusisto, Nigel Kennedy, Joshua Bell and Nikki Vasilakis who are all wonderful players and whom I've seen perform live. When I hear them play, I want to play like that as well.....maybe they are unrealistic expectations but it gives me a goal and I've discovered something new in my life as a result.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nancy Hursey on June 27, 2009 at 5:34am

I always wanted to play the cello, but was discouraged by my mother and had to take up the piano. Recently my daughter-in-law took away all my excuses (age, no teacher, etc.) by offering to teach me. She is a violist. She is a very good teacher, but now she says that I need to find a local cello teacher (She lives in another state) because she has taken me as far as she can. I'M LOOKING!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ann Marie Cordial on July 21, 2009 at 1:27pm

Darren -

I'm sort of in your camp. I heard the music of Hans Zimmer from the first Batman movie he scored and was enthralled by the strings. I have to admit, though, I lucked out - finding a teacher who not only did not mind teaching an adult, but really PUSHED. I'd work and he'd PUSH even more. It was like being in music boot camp. The more I accomplished, the more he'd push. It was a struggle keeping my head above water with a full time job and a family. I was taking lessons from him for almost a year before I found out he was the conductor of a local orchestra. Looking back, I feel blessed to have him in my life.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Daniel Baird on December 23, 2009 at 12:22pm

Hi all,
I played tuba as a child, then later the jazz bass. All my life, however, I have listened to classical music. A couple of years ago a book of Bach transcriptions came out for the electric 6 string bass. Although it was fun playing them, I couldn't get the range of emotions I felt expressed via the electric bass. So I looked for the original Bach, found out it was for cello, and then on a whim decided to try the cello. Thanks to my bass days the left hand flows along just fine, but that bow!! It was invented to torment me personally! It is now been eleven months and Bach's cello suites sit on my shelves reminding me I haven't practiced today so I better sign off.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Randy Sandstrom on December 27, 2009 at 6:13am

I was always the odd ball child ! I play everything by myself ! music was my escape from the world I listened to everything from rock to classical as a child ! my favorite show was Lawance Welk on Sat.nites in the late 60's early 70's
Then i started learning music in school and my voice was my instrument BUT while there I had 3 hrs of study hall so I asked the music director to teach me piano which he did for the whole time I was in high school but the only time for practice was in school so I was spinning my wheels, life took over and now I am at a point in my life where I can start learning a new as an adult which I am finding to be a great relaxation for me

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PAUL E. LOPEZ on March 26, 2010 at 4:22am

hi janice i have all five of your books love them and you too .heres a short bio.
my dad played saxophone,but i liked the beatles so at ten i started guitar and learned rythm ,lead.and bass guitar i was in bands.
played till age 44 then i was looking on ebay at violin basses like paul mccartney plays and some violins showed on my computer and i thought they looked interesting i started reading about them i ordered a book about antonio stradivarius
and became fascinated with the craftsmanship of a violin.
i listened to how beautiful they sounded.and thought i would try it and i then fell in love with the violin sound and classical music and bluegrass fiddle ,i also became addicted to reading music it's like a kid that gets hooked on video games.
i find guitar boring now and at 49 i still love the violin.

▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page