Is violin a good solo instrument?

Oboe71

New member
Thinking about taking up the violin and want to know if it's good for playing contemporary songs; and classical also. Is it good as a solo instrument too or just accompaniment and played with other instruments?

How difficult would it be to learn for a person who's 21 with no prior experience?
 

musicteach

New member
It depends on what you're playing. There's a lot of classical music out there featuring difficult violin solos. There's also a lot more modern music that uses violin as a solo or even accompaniment instrument. If you like country music, violin is definitely a prominent instrument. String instruments are a little difficult. But I've seen a 60 year old learn cello having never played before in his life.
 

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
I can only echo what musicteach shares...

But I will posit that knowledge of the piano as a solo instrument is better...Why? I will let the words of Jack DeJohnette(world-famous drummer, performs with Keith Jarrett and Gary Peacock)do the talking: "Having learned the piano gives me a symphonic outlook." Having performed as organist(pipe and electronic) for a few decades has given me an "orchestral weltanschauung" in re to music.
 

teddy

Duckmeister
You can also get an electric violin ( my daughter has one). I know the purists will frown but they can be very versatile and you can practise almost soundlessly using headphones.

teddy
 

wljmrbill

Member
Ah Teddy some are neg. on the virtual organ too: but I enjoy and only way ever be able to, play/enjoy the feel of sound for major instruments in the world( poor folks)...

I played Viola and String Bass for a number of years. Violin is an excellent solo instrument as well as Cello and the electrifid units have advanages.. One can learn most any instrument if you PRACTICE<PRACTICE<PRACTICE unless a physical limitation.Find a good teacher for Technique. Some Music programs have a rental programe while starting out to see if you want to continue with the instrument.. class/group lessons might be good way to start too.Good Luck.
 

musicteach

New member
You can also get an electric violin ( my daughter has one). I know the purists will frown but they can be very versatile and you can practise almost soundlessly using headphones.

teddy

Yeah, alot of people will frown at that, but that's alright. I had an electric cello for years before I sold it.
 

teddy

Duckmeister
My youngest played violin at the Royal Festival Hall in London, twice, with the school orchestra. Unfortunately I was unable to encourage her with her practise. A great shame as she learnt to play very easily and I believe would have made a good player.

teddy
 

John Watt

Member
The violin might be the best solo instrument for solos.
Anything else I can type would be just putting other instruments down.
 

Oboe71

New member
Thanks. So it's good for solos. But will I be able, after learning, to transpose my favourite Radiohead songs to violin solos?
 

musicteach

New member
If you know what you're doing, sure. I like to say music is interchangeable. Just because it was written for a guitar, doesn't mean it can't be played on violin.
 

JHC

Chief assistant to the assistant chief
Thinking about taking up the violin and want to know if it's good for playing contemporary songs; and classical also. Is it good as a solo instrument too or just accompaniment and played with other instruments?

How difficult would it be to learn for a person who's 21 with no prior experience?
I take it that you are not interested in classical music or you would not need to ask, I am puzzled by your user name which would indicate that you are a classical man so I am confused :confused: what exactly is your intended genre??
 

Oboe71

New member
I take it that you are not interested in classical music or you would not need to ask, I am puzzled by your user name which would indicate that you are a classical man so I am confused :confused: what exactly is your intended genre??

I'm interested in classical too, to some extent, but mostly modern music. Don't mind my name, I just picked it to get something available quick. I have no experience with oboes. I'm learning the harmonica right now. :)
 

JHC

Chief assistant to the assistant chief
I'm interested in classical too, to some extent, but mostly modern music. Don't mind my name, I just picked it to get something available quick. I have no experience with oboes. I'm learning the harmonica right now. :)

I see, well you have received good advise from the other posters but if you do a little research it is not hard to find out what a Violin is mainly used for, it is one of the harder instruments to play but again it depends on how far you want to take it, the only genre apart from classical that I consider it to fit in with is the old type of Jazz as in Stephan Grappelli and the ‘Quintet of the hot club of Paris’ but that type of music may not appeal to you don’t bother to look it up on Youtube as all the clips are from later performances when he was past his best. One last thing get a teacher so that you don’t form bad habits, best of luck.

I have given a link to The Oscar Peterson (Piano) quartet with Grappelli-Violin, Kenny Clarke-drums and Niels H O Peterson bass it is old time jazz recorded 1973 in Paris.

https://www.box.com/s/yo0fhlxtxq2n6w5pfpyj
 
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John Watt

Member
I'd like to add that this young gentleman is lucky he's young and not as indoctrinated with the traditional.
It's been shown that the even density of carbon fiber allows as much dexterity as any historic violin.
This means you can get a concert worthy instrument for much less money.
This also means you can electrify it to make it sound like anything you want to.
It's tough to chicken pick on violin, but other than that, it does it all for any solo work.
Start off with a good one and you'll get good.
Start off with a bad one and you'll end up not bowing onstage for anyone.
 
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