hey! I’m Mars and l’m 17 turning 18 soon, and I’ve been slowly teaching myself guitar with the Justin guitar platform! My dad’s been playing guitar (self taught too) pretty much longer than I’ve been alive and I suppose that (and my love of songs and bands like The Beatles) have skyrocketed my ambition to learn! I did violin for 2 years but quit because I was starting to get absolutely discouraged, though I might pick that up again in the future!
Violin did give me skills like some minor music theory and finger flexibility that’s been expiditing my speed a bit! I’ve been back and forth finding motivation in pieces when I can, but having structured lessons has helped immensely! Good to meet y’all!
Definitely keep the violin stuff around. But maybe you can “switch” to fiddle playing?
The stuff you describe about the finger dexterity is exactly why I wish I had learned a stringed instrument instead of brass with my first instrument as a kid. The way you use your fingers playing a stringed instrument is VASTLY different compared to something like a trumpet.
Hello Mars & Welcome!!!
You’re at the age that learning is so much “easier” than later when things like earning a living, having a family etc. happens! Enjoy your time with the guitar & keep it lots of fun!!!
Good luck
for sure! i found that for lots of the chords i’m learning in the course the positions were usually quite straightforward! there’s lots of finger stretching on violin too (albeit in a slightly different manner, the fingers are more… shaped[?] per se in guitar while violin holds them kinda one after the other)
There’s still all sorts of stuff on a guitar i have to get used to however (strumming, chords) and I almost want to learn traditional note reading on guitar too but it’s a bit daunting for now
I’m planning to return to violin at some point but it’s not exactly something you can teach yourself without guidance and there’s logistics like scheduling + work + finances that make it difficult
as far as i understand fiddling is just violin but with a different genre of music applied, same instrument and all. similar struggles.
Thanks for the welcome <3
yes, fiddling is just a different style of playing. but that was what I was talking about, anyway. different style might be more enjoyable. of course I live in the middle of bluegrass music country and fiddlers are in demand here.
Mars – welcome to the Justin crowd who will wholeheartedly cheer and encourage you on your way… Congrats on picking this up early in life so you can bring joy to those around you and, especially, to yourself.
A little math: say you live to 90 (not at all unreasonable), that’s another 72 years. Say you play for other folks 1 hour a month (not unreasonable). That’s 12 * 72, or 864 hours, times the number of people listening, let’s be conservative and call it 4. That’s 3,456 people hours enjoying your music, PLUS all of the hours you played for yourself.
Welcome mars. It’s good to start an instrument young and with violin too you are off to a good start. If you dad plays too then it can be a help as you gave someone to ask about things (technique, music theory). This forum is also a great place for advice.
Hello Mars.
Welcome to JustinGuitar and this fantastic community. Please take your time to look around and get to know the wider space. View by Categories.
We are a supportive and encouraging group of students and guitarists from across the world. Essentially, we are all here for music and to improve as players. We truly are a ‘community’. Members help and support one another and a friendly, positive attitude underpins this. We hope that all - young or old, experienced or new players - adopt and foster the pay-it-forward ethos that Justin personifies and embedded all those years ago when he started the website and forum.
Also, please make sure to read the Community Etiquette announcement for some important information and guidance.
If you want to record yourself to show your progress and / or seek feedback there is our ever popular Community Recordings section.
Behind the scenes there is a small and dedicated team who work to make the JustinGuitar experience as good as it can be. Check out the Onboarding sessions provided by Fanny. Justin also has a small group of Approved Teachers he recommends for people wanting 1-to-1 lessons to supplement his courses - of which I am privileged to be one.
That is plenty to be going on with. It is a vast community space so if you need help as you find your way around just ask.
Cheers. Richard
| Approved Teacher & Official Guide / Moderator |
