Hey OP, I'm a fiddle player...

here are my tips (especially with violins not played in a while)

First, find a good locally owned violin shop in your area... (Do you want to play classical? or by ear/ folk/ celtic / fiddle?)

If you want by ear... see if the local shop has a book of instructors, or see if there is a bluegrass/ folk or Celtic org. in the area ~ ask around and find a teacher who plays the style you want to play... maybe go to a local contest and ask around for who gives lessons: you will be more than surprised at how many people would be excited to teach! (I'd teach you for free just to have more people to jam with!!)

Fiddle/ violin players - once you find your way into the 'circle' by either a violin shop dude who can reccomend a good teacher, or by a group or contest... you'll see there are only about 2 degrees of separation from all the players!


A shop guy is good to ask advice of b/c he not only knows the teacher but hears feedback from other students, and can see who's students progress quicker or seem to enjoy it... also knows a the different styles of teaching. NOTE: this is not Guitar Center or the big name place... find a good local shop. (or ask musician's who they take their fiddles to for repairs)

Second: get that bugger checked out! Especially if it hasn't been played in a while - if you are in a dry climate you could have some glue issues etc; Bow may need re-stringing, rosin checking etc.. but don't let people sell you more repairs than you need to just start playing! A good way is to bring your fiddle to a local jam and ask some of the players to take a look at it. Opening up a fiddle case is like Christmas morning: we love to poke around and see what type of treasure you have in there! You might could ask someone to play it for you and tell you if they see anything glaring that needs fixing!


Learning by ear and of the internet is GREAT... but I HIGHLY recommend having someone show you basic hand techniques for how to hold the bow and fiddle. If you learn bad habits they will be really awkward and hard to break and they usually slow you down when you want to really saw away!!

Have a blast!! I am excited for you! Post and link some vid as you get going!!