I am thinking over what you have said TP. I am sorry Voronwë I was actually going to talk a bit about an orchestra festival I went to when I used to play but I was so excited to see there was another violin player among us.
I think it was Prim who played the viola too right? I knew Teremia played.
Anyway TP, for me I started playing much older then most kids were supposed to start the violin so I think in part that is why I have a different view. I started playing at 14. Everyone was really surprised by my progress since I went through the first 4 books of the Suzuki method in one year. For me it was always going to be a hobby although my teacher did suggest that if I continued with my practicing I could have paid for University partly. ( I really regret giving it up in part because of that).
I had to work really really hard to convince my parents to get me lessons since it was so expensive but once I proved to them that I was commited (by borrowing a violin for my first 3 months of playing), they then invested. I really really enjoyed that
sense of accomplishment of practing a piece for months and then finally after all that hard work it just totally clicks. Whether it happened in practice sessions or on stage that was the best part for me. I really feel like I am on cloud 9. I ended up playing viola since our group needed some but no one wanted to play them (violas? ugh was the sentiment). So our music director had to get some on loan and demystify the viola for some of us. (I had planned to buy a viola but then I stopped playing). Basically most viola players were 1st violins that came in to beef up the viola section for certain pieces (lots of walking across the stage at certain points). So many times people would ask me why I'd have 2 violins. Then I always had to explain and demonstrate they were actually different intruments. I loved that moment of enlightenment people would get once they realized they are different.
If I had my way I would play both. They both have different personalities I think (violas even have their own cleff!!! How exclusive is that!!!
).
The reason I stopped playing was the same practical reasons as you, time and money for lessons. Once I started University there simply was no time. It was a struggle in the later part of high school to practice as much as I wanted to. Then when I ended up taking time off from school I really did not want to do any hobbies or at least any of my old hobbies (I have been told that was a symptom of depression) and I was too burnt out to a degree. Also, it does suck trying to play again and seeing how much ability I have lost. But the thing is the threads are still there the basic ability is there and I believe that if I actually practice it will come back. Heck I started old in the first place and I did well so a hiatus I guess doesen't really bother me. Also, there is a possibility I may never get that good again since I have concerns about arthritis. But then again professional musicians end up with those same type of issues so if it dosen't stop them, it shouldn't stop me.
Also, another part of the appeal is, I still have
a lot to learn. I was never really too interested in the technical aspects or heck even the names of the pieces really. I only really cared about the challenge and if they were fun to play. I don't even have a really well trianed ear and can't tune a violin properly (shhhhh).
As time has gone on without me playing I find I think about it alot. Especially when I hear my favourite pieces. Currently there is Corelli's Christmas concerto in some commericial for pots or something and everytime I hear it I think about how much fun that piece was to play whether it was the solo part or the viola part (the cello part is nice too).
Another thing is I really liked was the people teaching me. They really pushed me to do more since they believed I could really do it (sometimes they were quite tricksy). There were several things I never would have done if it wasn't for their encouragement. I find I really underestimate myself. I really enjoyed being in an orchestra and sadly there was a great deal of politics going on that really sucked the enjoyment out of playing for me. Even now when I talk about playing people can see how much that garbage really reduced my enjoyment. In fact I used to really associate that negative stuff with playing so I guess that is also a part of why I stopped. After high school I really didn't want to be apart of that particular orchestra anymore. There was all kinds of gossip and divorces/affairs going on and I did not feel it was appropriate for the kids (in the orchestra) to get involved in it. Alot of us were caught in the middle. I ended up being a chaperone for when we went to the orchestra festival and the rest of the gang came over and informed me of a lot of what was going on and it was quite an eye opener and no mistake!!! ( I really stayed away from the 'issues'). So anyway alot of things changed, but now my desire to play has really outweighed my issues with all that other stuff. But I do need to find a teacher that is affordable on my meager income.
Good luck - I'm sure it will be wonderful!
)
But it will return...you can get your chops back with 15 - 20 minutes of practice a day! I know - I hadn't touched my clarinet in 25 years and suddenly got into this little wind ensemble. We play easy, fun music and we all stink at the same level - so we have a great time!
