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All The Benefits of Learning and Playing Violin
There is no doubt that the violin is one of the world’s most popular string instruments. It has a wide range of tones and is broadly accepted in the orchestral and folk music genres as well as many other musical styles. When you learn how to play the violin and practice regularly, you are likely to enjoy a number of benefits of learning the violin.
There are many reasons you may be considering picking up a violin for the first time, or you may already be knowledgeable about the instrument or a professional violinist.
Whatever the case may be, we hope this article will inspire you to continue your musical journey with the violin. The benefits of learning violin for adults and children are numerous, and we have selected the most compelling reasons why you should learn the instrument.
Playing the violin improves coordination and dexterity
A violinist must develop the necessary coordination in order to perform properly. In contrast to other instruments, violins are relatively small, fretless, with curved fretboards, and are played using a variety of techniques with or without a bow. To put it another way, violins are difficult to play, and learning to play the violin is not that simple.
In order to become proficient at playing the violin instrument, a violinist must develop dexterity, rhythm, timing, volume, and emotional expression. This is in order to finger the appropriate notes and pluck or bow the correct strings. While holding the violin in place, it is rested on the collarbone and supported by the left hand and shoulder.
There are many different ways in which violins can be played, all of which are unique. However, the improvement of coordination will inevitably contribute to the improvement of other instruments as well.
Stringed instruments are particularly affected by this phenomenon, but it also applies in some ways to percussion instruments (rhythmically and timing-wise) as well as woodwinds and brass instruments (in terms of finger placement).
Violin Playing & Learning Enhances Music Understanding
It is commonplace for violins to be heard in a variety of musical genres, ranging from orchestral to folk, pop to country, and even metal and more aggressive genres. The instrument is incredibly versatile.
Our ability to learn to play the violin will allow us to broaden our musical horizons. We will be able to immerse ourselves in new styles of music more quickly and effectively as we develop our playing skills.
By learning new violin styles, we are able to gain a deeper understanding of music (compared to only listening) and further develop our musicality, as well as our violin-playing proficiency. Taking up the violin is a musical gift that keeps on giving, as there are so many songs to learn in so many genres.
There are many different techniques that can be used when playing the violin, including bowing techniques (legato, détaché, tenuto, potato, staccato, etc.) and plucking techniques (pizzicato).
Despite the fact that there will always be new musical territory to explore, the violin is one of the most versatile instruments. This is because the violin can explore various musical ideas, concepts, and genres.
Developing skills in violin playing is transferrable to all other string instruments
There is no doubt that the violin is one of the most challenging mainstream string instruments to play and it has a lot of benefits of playing violin for adults and even more for children.
A violin is the smallest string instrument in the violin family, and although it is not heavy, it can be difficult to hold. Because of the fretless, curved fretboard, fingerpicking, bowing, and plucking can be a challenge. Due to its small size, the instrument poses an additional challenge.
Although the violin is a difficult instrument to master, mastering its variety of techniques will set us up to be highly successful with other string instruments as well.
Despite the viola’s substantial size, the proper posture and holding techniques of the violin will carry over to the viola. Learning the violin with your teacher or online violin lessons will prepare us to learn the viola at a later date much more effectively than taking up the instrument as a complete beginner.
In addition to these benefits of learning bowing techniques for the violin, we will also acquire bowing techniques for other string instruments (viola, cello, double bass). There may be some changes in the posture of these instruments, but the mechanics of running a bow across the strings will remain relatively the same.
A similar statement can be made regarding the plucking techniques of the violin, although they may not be as widely used as the bowing techniques. There are many ways in which we can pluck/pick (pizzicato), and learning one will prepare us to learn the others. A pizzicato technique on the violin will indirectly result in improved technique on the double bass, guitar, harp, and mandolin.
Despite the fact that violin fingerboards do not have frets, learning the proper technique of fingering or fretting (even though violin fingerboards do not have frets) will benefit other string instruments with fingerboards.
The violin has four strings that are tuned in fifths. Tuning systems similar to this one are directly applicable to the viola and cello, as well as to the mandolin family of instruments. The shapes and interval relationships between strings will be the same in these instruments, even though the keys and ranges will be different.
Different string instruments may have different tunings (double bass and bass guitar are tuned in fourths, the guitar in fourths with a major third between the G and B strings, the banjo in open G, etc.). Although these instruments differ in tuning, the fretting techniques developed will remain the same.
Violin learning and playing improve discipline and concentration
It is important to note that the violin is a difficult instrument to play and comes with a steep learning curve. It is necessary to devote our time and energy to improving our knowledge and skills in order to become proficient at playing such a musical instrument. We must strengthen our discipline and concentration in order to engage in such practice.
Playing the violin, from its mechanics to its in-depth theory, proves to be a fun yet challenging way to learn an instrument and music more generally. Furthermore, discipline and concentration are developed as a result of it.
An unwavering dedication to the instrument is required to master it.
Violin Playing & Learning Build Confidence
As we learn how to play the violin, we become more confident, not only with the instrument itself but in our lives as a whole. Confidence is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a feeling or belief that one can succeed at something or be successful at something”. We are certainly capable of learning other instruments as well as other subjects in life if we are able to master a challenging instrument such as the violin.
As we become more proficient at playing the violin, there will be opportunities to perform for other people. This may include playing the fiddle at a small party or serving as the first violinist in a world-class symphony orchestra.
Regardless of how we choose to learn the violin, it can provide us with the opportunity to step outside of our comfort zones and perform for others, which is a very effective way to improve our self-confidence in general.
Playing and learning the violin introduces the student to a new language
In the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Music is the universal language of mankind”. It is comparable to learning another language to learn the violin, whether by ear, using sheet music, or utilizing music theory.
The violin provides ample opportunity to expand our vocabulary, from the literal terminology we’ll learn (many of which are in foreign languages, including Italian) to the language of music itself.
Studies have shown that learning a musical instrument such as the violin helps strengthen the same brain regions responsible for language processing. By learning the violin, we not only gain an understanding of the language of music but also improve our brain’s ability to pick up new languages.
When you learn how to play the violin, you are learning another language and, at the same time, improving your vocabulary of actually written languages!
Violin learning and playing improve posture
It may take some time to learn how to hold the violin properly. It becomes increasingly difficult to maintain proper posture as we play the instrument. It is important for us to be aware of our posture and correct it while we play. This will enable us to perform at a higher level for longer periods of time and avoid the development of poor posture habits in the long run.
Being aware of our posture when playing the violin improves other areas of our lives and helps us achieve stronger bodies.
Violin playing and learning have therapeutic benefits
“Learning to play a musical instrument provides a peaceful escape from the stresses of daily life,” states Debra Shipman (Ph.D. RN). There are several therapeutic outcomes associated with playing music, including increased communication skills, improved emotional release, and decreased anxiety and agitation. Training in music enhances cognitive performance, mental health, as well as a sense of connection with others.”
In general, music is being studied extensively as a potentially beneficial therapeutic tool for the brain, lungs, and heart. A list of the benefits of music therapy is provided below.
- Wellness Promotion
- Stress management
- Alleviate Pain
- Feelings expression
- Memory enhancement
- Improved communication
- Physical Rehabilitation
Last Words
There are many more benefits of playing the violin than those we have mentioned today. We think it is beautiful that everyone takes away something different from their experience of music. This is one of the many things that makes music so special.
The benefits of playing the violin are both mental and physical. It is important to note that music education can benefit people of all ages, not just children. There is no better time than the present to begin learning the violin or any other instrument for that matter!