How long did it take you all to learn violin? and did you have a private tutor?

I read somewhere that the average 18 year old entering a conservatoire has done 2500 hours of practice (though someone else said that seemed far too low). By the age of 18 I had done 190 hours ....

It`s nice to think that one COULD have made it ....

Liz

I played the violin for about 10 months in my final year of high school. I got to around a Grade 4-5 standard by then. Unfortunately I was using a school instrument which I had to give back when I finished school (they made me give back their baritone saxophone, too) , and I haven`t been able to afford to buy myself a violin since then. As soon as I can I will buy one, because it is a really cool instrument.

Wow, Rachel, you did very well if you got that far that quickly!

Liz

Thank you
I already played a few instruments, so that helped. My clarinet teacher of that time said that the fact the I have perfect pitch would also have helped, and I agree.

O yes indeed, that would be a huge advantage. you lucky thing.

Liz

Just a note to the original poster, you never stop learning an instrument.

I wish I had perfect pitch too. Damn it!

I meant how long tell you were confidant in your playing.

I`ve been playing for less than a year. I`ve had piano experience to help me.

Now I can play a badly refined Vivaldi Concerti 1-4.

I`ve been playing for roughly 3 1/2 years, grades 6-8 and what I have had so far in 9th grade. and we have an entire period each school day for orchestra, so I calculate I have had at least 500 hours of practice. (Probably more considering practicing at home and private lessons) I play professional grade music such as Wagner`s Flying Dutchman, Moug. Night on Bald Mountain ... etc.

I also think that whomever said an average 18 year old pursuing to play professionally should have roughly 2500 hours ... this sounds about right (at minimum).

Hope I have been of help.

I would just like to say to everyone... ha ha, I have perfect pitch and you don`t
(At high school my entire music class including the teacher was jealous of me)

Rachel,

sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no such thing as "perfect" pitch. While it is true that you man play with very good intonation, i am willing to bet that even the principal violinist in the london symphony orchestra misses a pitch every now and then. And no, I am not jealous, as there is more to being an accomplished player than so-called, "perfect" pitch.

Don`t give me "sorry to burst your bubble". I was referring to the dictionary definition of perfect pitch, which is "the ability to produce or recognise a given note without reference to other tones", which is what I can do. I do play wrong notes on the violin sometimes, but that was because I hadn`t quite developed the muscle memory for where they where- unlike some people, I knew they were wrong the second I played them.
I am well aware of the argument that "there is no such thing as perfect pitch", so, to satisfy you, I will correct myself and say that I have the ability which is commonly known as "perfect pitch". Are you happy now?

Also in reply to your "accomplished musician" comment, I also had a good tone, wide dynamic range, good understanding of the music I played and all the other things that go to make a convincing performance.

Well then in that case, your "perfect pitch" is a common "gift". many musicians, trained or untrained, have a high aptitude for identifying notes.

my mission is not to prove you wrong, but rather to discourage people from being dishonest because there are many beginners on this forum who may get distorted views of what it is to play the violin.