I'm a university student that's considering picking up an instrument (either piano or violin) as a hobby, but I've run into something of a roadblock.
For both instruments, I absolutely love the sound but I'm also not too pasisonate about the "classics" that people say one must learn first to gain an understanding and skill base in the instrument.
I've played piano a few years ago to a grade 6 standard, but I never enjoyed performing classical training pieces (which I think was a major reason why I stopped). In something like ambient or modern piano performances, it's one of my favourite instruments and one I would love to learn to play to such a standard where I could make such tracks, but my eyes glaze over when talk of Beethoven or Mozart comes up. Besides, due to space problems I would probably only be able to use an electronic keyboard (I'm hoping to head more of the digital music route) but then again, I hear that classically trained piano skill on an actual piano is essential to getting to even a decently high level.
For violin, I've never tried it but I love its sound even more. It's been my dream since childhood to learn how to play it, but most violin pieces I love are in modern music; think something like Hakase Taro's pieces (even violin parts in normal songs for that matter). Some violin classics like Canon I enjoy just as much, but the pull of the violin has always been its singing tone, clearly defined melodies and soloing ability (with some backing, of course, but more as the singer role than a part of a large orchestra) and I just don't see that in a lot of more complex but (to me) muddled classical pieces. Again, I hear that, especially with violin, a long period of training in classical music is essential, but I don't think I would have the motivation to practice in that genre even if I love the violin in others.
Apologies for the long post. I'm just curious; are there ways to reach amateur music production levels of skill with the violin or piano without the traditional method of training in classical music? I would love to learn either or both instruments, but I'm worried that I'll stay stuck at the "I can kind of play it casually" range where it's not good enough to perform at parties or things of that sort.
(Also, which instrument would you recommend I learn first? Should I prioritise the piano / keyboard for general music theory knowledge and the ability to record and use violin digitally later, or should I work on the violin since it seems like it's important to start it at a younger age as possible?)
Submitted November 09, 2017 at 07:05AM by ellencie https://www.reddit.com/r/Learnmusic/comments/7bsf4j/learning_the_violin_or_piano_without_training_in/?utm_source=ifttt
Javier Rodriguez
Thursday, November 9, 2017