I'm not sure how much the erhu differs from the violin, but if it's a sizeable difference (bigger finger spacing, different spacing, more pressure and so) then it would probably be best to concentrate on one instrument first and then pick up the other later. Otherwise, you'll just be confusing your finger's muscle memory

I can't remember, I've had my rosin slab for years now, heh. Don't think it'd be that expensive, 15 bucks mebbe?

For about 3k you could get a mid-range German violin, if you purchase it at the right time (When there's a sale going on). I got my current violin, which is a Paesold, for 3k. To me, it sounds better and is more mellow than the alternative I was given, which was a chinese violin.

This post has been edited by Wolffeh: Nov 23 2009, 12:42 PM

If your g string sounds wrong, then it might be out of tune. Take your violin to the shop and ask them to tune it for you? Yeah, you can buy single strings, I'm using Pyramid currently for E, but it doesn't sound as good as the other strings, not sure what brand they are, as they came with the violin. Gonna get me a new set of better quality strings next time there's a sale.

It can be affected by crap speakers. I think it's reasonably accurate. I was wondering if anyone knows what the grade 6 exam pieces are, and where I could grab the score? I know one of them's called a, uh Serenata?

That looks nasty. But it's just a small scratch right? Expensive violin?

Liez, are you involved in any orchestras? If so, which ones? How bout you, little ice?

All you need is 3 violinists and a cellist for Canon in D. I'd expect the number of people who personally own stuff like timpanis and double bass to be <50.

Speaking of orchestras... apparently I've been accepted to PESSOC's training orchestra.... didn't know they had enough people for one. Or even heard of this training orchestra before.

White Christmas, Silent Night, Adestes Fideles and all that? They're pretty easy. Google search'll be your best friend finding them.

I learned my violin without a piano or keyboard at home. Did just fine. It was more of a matter of memorizing what notes sounded like what, and comparing. Also you can pretty much tell if a note is wrong or out in the beginning, since mistakes will sound horribly wrong. If I didn't know how a piece should sound, I'd check out youtube or download an mp3 of it being played, get the feel for it.

Tandooric: Independant fingering, if you can pull it off accurately, makes it easier to play songs. Block fingering is quite clumsy, and sometimes you need to play double stops (Two different notes at the same time). For beginners, block fingering is best to help your fingers remember their positioning. You need to make sure your muscles memorize their places.

ilovestitch: That's probably cause you're exercising muscles which have previously never been exerted strenuously. Try stretching your arm before practice. Might want to make sure you're bowing correctly, don't strain your arm.

I don't think that it's that expensive to take lessons from a proper, experienced music teacher. Of course, I'm not sure of KL's prices, but I'm paying 180 a month (Grade 6) here in Penang, got a good teacher too. I guess you just have to ask around, find out who's good.

dopey: When your teacher says it's correct, you don't believe him/her? Maybe you're a bit short of confidence in your playing, that probably affects it. Why not try looking up the piece you're playing online, then play along? You'll get to know how the piece sounds like, and you'll understand what your violin sounds like.

Vibrato, when starting to first learn is, is kinda hard. Gets easier after a few weeks though.