Ok GD.
So i have been wanting to learn how to play Violin for a while now.
but haven't had the money to go out & buy one for practice.
My sister has a traditional violin, but it has a broken string & the bow is somewhat broke.

What i want to know is what should i buy, Electric or traditional.
+ which would be easier to learn?

Also, if i got for electric, What would be the best brand to get, Also the amplifier.

The main genre i want to learn is metal alternative style of things.
& i just love the sound of the violin so very much.

So please.
discuss =)

Well, for most metal and alternative, an electric violin would probably be your best bet. However, don't count out the idea of an acoustic violin in the genre - in fact it's almost a necessity in symphonic rock (my primary style, by the way), and can add an interesting flavor to other more "traditional" rock/metal songs. What it all depends on is what you want your role to be. For a soloist...it's hard for me to make a recommendation without any real specifics on what you want to sound like; if you're going to be with a band, I'd also have to know their general sound.

Now, I don't play the violin myself (though I've always wanted to learn - I'll probably make it my third [fourth if you count voice] instrument), so I can't tell you which would be easiest to learn - sorry. :sweat: Though from my experience with electric vs. acoustic instruments (guitars especially), sometimes there can be such a dramatic difference in how they're typically played that if you get used to one, it can be quite difficult to adjust to the other should you decide to try down the line - I would say do some research on that; see if violins are that way before jumping immediately on the easiest one to learn.
Though, if this is the case, it's easily combated by learning the techniques for both kinds of instruments at once - this is what I did on guitar. It complicates things a little...but it keeps you from becoming something of a one-trick pony.

Unfortunately, I'm not really a violin expert, so I can't be much help - but I hope I've at least been some.

wow..
well that has actually really helped.
I have been leaning towards the electric a lot more.
Mainly cause i love the sound it makes.
+ the distortion it can do with a nice pedal.. mmmm yes..

But it also quite when you want to practice.
So that is also a plus.
family wont want me bugging them late at night haha.

Emilie Autumn has been my main inspiration for learning.
I just love her.
& Nightwish. The background & middle instrumental.. Soo soothing, but Hard as well.

I think for now, i might go with the electric. If i can find one.
but i cant go cheapo on it.
Has to be a good brand, so it wont screw up on me lol.

I dont mind only knowing one for now, As long as it gets what i want done.
I would be most likely in a band, but also solo cover work to.
I saw this clip on youtube, these 3 girls did a cover of System of a down- Toxicity... OMG it was great.
That is the sort of thing i want to do..
here is the vid if you are interested in checking it out.
If you like this sort of thing haha.

it depend on what you want to do. I personally have no love for the electric violins and wouldn't be caught dead playing one. I played the viola for years, not the violin, but all the same I know I rather prefer the authentic sound of an acoustic string instrument (a guitar is about the only one I don't really mind if it's electric).

With that said, if you're worried about costs learning an acoustic one would be better since you don't need to buy all the accessories and junk. A standard school violin I believe (but don't take my word on it) is around $100-200 (USD mind you), it's when you get the well crafted ones that it gets really pricey, but if you're just starting to learn going with the cheaper versions is better (like I said, it's what kids in grade school use).

You should also ask about how much it would cost to repair the bow. Strings typically aren't that bad to replace, a few bucks or so if I remember properly from my viola days.

I also played the viola for several years, and in theory, I don't think an electric violin would be any different to LEARN than an acoustic one. It's the same general technique for the most part. Sure, there will be more things to learn about the electric violin, since you can mess with the sound and whatnot via pedals, but overall, they should both be relatively similar to learn.

righto.
thats heaps of help girls.
ill be looking into seeing if i can mabey get my sisters one repaired.
She never played it.
She just let it sit in her room & get dusty.
& then when she did play it. She broke it hahah.

I like how both electric & acoustic sound, & i guess it would be cheaper to learn on an acoustic 1st, so as you said Erailea *you don't have to buy all the accessories & Junk for it* lol.

I think in the long run, i will learn the electric.
But i will also start out on the acoustic version. Only cause i have one here.
=)

I'd get the acoustic one first. :/ Especially if you can't play it every day and you're teaching yourself. Do you have musical experience?

Well, get your sisters violin fixed, it's not worth buying a whole new violin when you just need yours tuned and a string replaced.

Violin is hard to teach yourself, the whole system, to a total outsider who only knows from first hand teaching myself experience, no book no thing, is built on angles. It's really important to know your scales beforehand so it's not so hard. That way when you play a song that's in D Major you know how that applies to you, what angles to avoid and so forth. It's really not THAT hard, it just needs practicing every day. I taught myself guitar and that was one thing, but just the bow makes it really different.

The only difference would be the pedals. Have you ever used a pedal with an electric guitar? There's some skill to it, espeacially if you're like me, not very coordinated unless you practice a LOT at it. So I'd say spend 100$ getting the one you have fixed, and if it's for you, invest in an electric all your own. It's a lot of hard work and it might not be for you. I thought I'd love the harmonica and I ended up throwing mine off a cliff. XD

Hahahaha.. harmonica XD

yeah, i have a musical background.
My father is a musician & my best mates all play guitar, + one of them is also a music teacher *but only really specializes in guitar, But he is Damn good*.
but none of them have played a violin, & i don't see my dad all that much.
So i would be teaching myself.

when it comes to all the scales & tones.
I know my basics.
but I'm pretty rusty, seeing i haven't picked up an instrument in a while now.
been kinda busy with a lot of other things.
But having friends who all play guitar, then i think i will be ok.

It will be very hard for a while, but i know it will be rewarding.
to have something of my own that isn't what everyone else has.
I know plenty of people who say they want to learn, but cant be bothered putting in the time & effort. Saying it would be too hard.. But these people have never really done anything unless it would be easy.

I am willing to put in the time & effort for the long yards.
I am determined & devoted to this.

I will get my sisters one fixed.
The body is fine & the strings aren't a problem, Its the bow I'm worried about.
Ill check out the costs & go from there.
I am dead set on learning this.
I have always loved the violin & the way is sounds. So authentic & classic, but then can be turned into an instrument of complete power & aggression whilst also sounding delicate. Its amazing.

But.. guitar isn't violin. o__o;;

I'd say don't depend on your friends for too much because.. well guitar and violin are both string instruments so maybe the very very talented ones can pick up vice verca, but still, asking someone who plays the guitar to just figure out the violin is kinda.. Well... Get help with tuning, yes, get help with how to play sixteenth notes yes, get help on how to play the darn thing.. not so much.

As long as you're devoted you should'nt have a problem. Buy a beginner's book while you're at the store, it'll teach you how to hold it and stuff.

Im not asking them to learn how to play the violin so they can teach me :/

It was the tuning & what not.
Leaning to play it is my thing, not theirs.

I'm not the type of person to throw all the hard work onto someone eles & expect help in return.
All i was insinuating is the basics of the instrument on its own.

Clam down. o__o; That wasn't what I was insinuating.

I'm just saying they're different instruments, so maybe they won't know how to tune it or what string is which. Violin has 4 strings, guitar has 6, which means that there's a different tuning process. Honesly, investing in a tuner or using a piano is your best bet. That's another thing, get the guy at the store to show you how to tune it, because it's really hard the first few times.

well i shall be doing that then =)

My mate said he wouldn't mind learning how to tune one.
He is actually pretty excited bout it. & says it wouldn't be a problem.
It was his offer, Not me asking lol.

But im not leaving it all up to them.
I will most defiantly be bugging the hell out of the shop attendant haha

I would love to try one once. I've always thought that they were innately beautiful in a way. I also like the sound that you can get out of them if you tweak the amps.

=3 I'll tell you one thing - electric violin is awesome. (YouTube browsing experience, I remember running across some and it was EPIC.)

Classic or electric, learn some modern songs. If you don't know of it already, look up Apocolyptica's music. Metallica on violin. Absolutely brilliant.

And I think it was already mentioned earlier on, but - learn electric violin and get good at it and you might be able to squeeze your way into an awesome band. Having a unique instrument in a group will take that group along ways - from garage band to 'hey, that's kinda cool.'

@ElysiumFate: haha me to.
I love it soo much. They can have so many different sounds, its amazing

@SSCeles:Oh yes.
i have quite a few of Apocolyptica's stuff. They are defiantly worthy of worship there haha.
That is the main plan though.
Getting into a band.
we kinda have one already lined up.
I was gonna be on vocals, But if i can bring something else to it, I would be soo happy.
I know it will defiantly be worth it in the end hehe.

& youtube surfing for covers done by violin... Brilliant stuff you can find =)

I personally like the electric violin. It sounds a tad different than acoustic but in the end, it is the one you can hook up to an amp and you can hear as loud as possbile. It is hard to hear an acoustic in a large area or crowd. I know, I went to a rock concert and the violinist was practically hard to hear in the back areas.

But in the end, they are both great. The violin is a great instrument in general.

I'd start off with an acoustic. If your sister's has a broken string then what's keeping you from buying a new set of strings? Red Label strings are good enough for beginners and tend to last a bit if you're careful about not overtuning. If you really want an electric, they do make acoustic-electric violins as well.

And I concur with having someone experienced show you how to tune first, as it can be tedious on a violin especially if the pegs slip a lot (which can be remedied using peg drops). If you don't have a good ear, invest in a tuner or use This Site

@Tsukipon: hehe yeah, very true.
that would be the main reason for me getting an electric hehe..
to blast the ears of those around me.... after i get good hahaha

@ElendarSilvermoon: Oh... well the money issue really.
I haven't had any money to spend on leisure for some time now.
work has been really minimal & money, scarce.
But i though... well work is picking up a little, May as well look into it while i have the spare cash.
I will most defiantly getting new strings & such very soon.
& thank you for that site.
It looks like it will be coming in handy muchly =)
I will defiantly getting help learning to tune it once it is all fixed up.
Last thing i want to do is break the strings i have just bought lol

Also, I forgot to mention an important thing as well. You're going to need Rosin for your bow. This helps the bow catch the strings so it actually -creates- a sound. There are a buttload of sites around the internet that tell you how to properly apply rosin to the bow (in a more descriptive way than I could)

Personally? I would go with a classical violin. The electric is very cool, I'll give you that, but it seems like it'd be more beneficial for you to learn on a "normal" violin.

Yes, they require some work to maintain, but so does every instrument I've ever owned. Pianos, when not electric, have to be tuned every so often and cleaned.
Violins have to be in a particular temperature, tuned, and the bow properly taken care of. I didn't always rosin my bow, generally because I had so much leftover from the last time I played.

Ultimately, it's your decision. You could always try to find someone who teaches the violin, or plays one, and ask their opinion on it. Asking those who play could give you a better idea of what you want.

I used to play the violin, I liked it a lot. I was always taught that you should learn the basics on a traditional violin first, but I always liked how electric violins looked. Unfortunately, I stopped playing a few years ago so I can't really tell you what the market is looking for in a violinist.

Maybe the first step would be to find a teacher, and see what they say about it, once you get into the hobby a little more, you could keep or sell the one you have and buy the one you really want.