Stringed Endeavours

     For years one of my dreams has been to learn how to play the violin, so I was overjoyed when my parents bought me a Cecilio CVN-500 for my birthday this year. Already having experience with piano, guitar and trumpet, and being the type of person that almost craves a good challenge, I decided to teach myself how to play. It is a wild and ridiculous endeavour, and my music teachers raise their eyebrows at widen their eyes when I tell them about my goal, but I am determined!

     I initially started on my challenge in the spring. I bought a few books from Essential Elements and watched several videos that teach the basics of how to play, but I was a little disappointed with the outcome. After a few weeks, I realized that I was moving through the books very quickly, but that there wasn't much progress in my playing. My problem was my impatience. It prevented me from improving the technical aspects of my playing like bow hold, posture and angles. I was playing songs, but instead of developing strength, I was simply squeaking out the notes. After staring at this blog blankly for months, my frustration helped me to decide what to write about.

      This blog will serve as a place for me to share my journey of learning the violin. For the next few months I will write one entry a week detailing my progress, or lack there of, and I will make a plan of action to help me improve each week. To help me out, I've signed up for violin lessons for the summer. My instructor, Piotr, plays with the Montreal Philharmonic Orchestra and is absolutely wonderful. Already he has helped me so much and I'm so glad I decided to sign up for lessons! 

So, here's hoping for the best in my stringed endeavours! I look forward to sharing my adventure with you, wherever it may take me!