Am I Too Old to Learn?

[@richardabbott7135]

I started violin when I was 70, and took lessons for 5 years. Recently, I found another adult violinist to play duets with, and we met and played once a week. last Fall, two other adults joined us, and in December, we performed at a local mall. Last week (Jan), another violinist and a celloist joined too. This journey has not been without its challenges, but the rewards of all the fun I'm having definitely outweighs all the effort I've put in. At 76, I am living proof that you're never too young to learn violin.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

Way to go!

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Dear Richard, thank you very much for sharing your beautiful and inspiring story with us. Bravo to you !!! I wish you much much more beautiful music making with lots of fun!

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

I’m 72 years old and have just picked up the violin about three months ago. I have to deal with neck and shoulder pain but I don’t want to quit.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Way to go Nickie! I wish you many rewarding and beautiful moments with the violin. Happy violin playing!

[@ashakuldip1657]

Joy, thanks for the encouragement.

[@sforzando9649]

I started violin journey 32 and I pass Abrsm violin grade 8 exam in last year.I'm so proud.It's not easy for my age 43.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Bravo Sforzando!! What a wonderful story! Way to go!! I admire your drive and dedication! Happy practising!

[@kenkenpuzzle667]

That’s truly amazing.

[@mjones3929]

Wonderful encouragement to adult learners!!

[@GorillazGames]

A little every day. That's my theory. I'm back on violin after years....and it feels good.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You are right Gorillaz. Keep up the good work! Happy music making!

[@greg9393]

Joy, you are a natural and inspiring teacher. I really enjoy your interpretations of music and solutions of playing. Great teachers are remembered for a lifetime.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Awww.. you are too kind Greg. Thank you very much also :) Happy music making!

[@Picasso_Picante92]

First of all, I need to tell you Joy that you are so pretty and you have the warmest smile. Thank you for saying what you said. I've always wanted to study the violin since I was a child. But we were poor and my family did not see the use in it. I finally decided to study last August at 58 years old. I found a very nice teacher here in Tokyo (most of her students are adults too) and i am really enjoying it. The reason I think old fogies like me should take up the violin is that we study for pure love. To understand the music better. To appreciate our favorite performers and playfully try to mimic their playing. We don't stress out worrying about being great or hoping to play professionally. We just want to play, like children do with their toys. An outlet for fun and a channel for creativity. Never to old to learn.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you Picasso for such kind words and sharing your story. You are so very right!! I wish you much more beautiful rewarding moments with your violin playing! Happy music making!

[@ptj4620]

Im 52 and haven't had formal lessons for 40 yrs. I'm currently trying to learn on my own. These last 40 yrs I just picked it up occasionally. But now want to play again. Right now I feel I am only playing for my own enjoyment and its a great stress reliever. Soon I want to find an online teacher. I'm in a small town where the school has no orchestra & no teachers I can go to. I would love to play at church or for crowds or events some day

[@terrystaggs2537]

Thank. You for that it encouraged me I am 72 having so much fun working on waltz 2

[@JoyLeeViolin]

All the power to you Terry! I wish you much more fun and many rewarding moments with the violin!! Happy music making!

[@firouzfarivar]

Hi dear joy I just felt you talked about me i'm seventy years old and had very good progress with you with no disappointment .thanks a world.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

How wonderful Firouz. Keep up the good work! I am sending you lots of my positive musical energy!

[@iammir8365]

I'm in this age category. I just love the sound of violin. I consider a gift to myself to learn to play well. I came across an on-line teacher who said that you only need two things - persistence and patience. Most adults have these attributes so it's an advantage. I must add that you must have a good teacher. It's a complicated instrument to learn on your own. I'm fortunate to have Joy as my on-line teacher. I'm playing pieces now way beyond what I thought I was capable of learning. Joy you're such an amazing teacher.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Awww... you are so kind Mir. Thank you so very much. I admire your commitment and dedication to music making. It takes two wheels to go forward. One side run by you and the other by the instructor. We are a good team keeping each side in good moving condition :) Thank you kindly Mir and happy music making!

[@dougnickerson]

It's something like : "It is impossible to solve a problem with the same mindset that created the problem in the first place " Best video ever , thank you 😀

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you also Doug and a very happy blessed new year to you! :)

[@girlaboutberlin]

Dear Joy, my violin Journey started 5 years ago. Now I Play in a string Orchestra and my Dreams has become true. So it's never too late. Happy New years. You Look wonderful❤

[@JoyLeeViolin]

What a wonderful story to hear Girlabout! Thanks for sharing your beautiful story with us. I am so happy for you and wish you lots more great music making! And thank you also for your kind comment! Happy, Blessed New Year to you too!

[@juliag3322]

Just found you today! Passed my grade 4 last week at age 67 and excited to practice grade 5 pieces. Thank you so much for your wonderful advice.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Congratulations Julia!! How wonderful that you are wonderfully dedicated to violin playing. I admire your drive:) I wish you lots of beautiful, rewarding moments with the violin study!

[@tomvdb9369]

Thank you dear Joy for such a kind and thoughtful video 🤗🤗🤗 we have all found a wonderful teacher 😀

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Awww... you are always so nice Tom. Thank you sincerely! :)

[@풉-r9c]

I had always wanted to be a violinst however my parents couldnt afford it . Seven years ago I just start it without teacher only through you tube … How brave I was…now I have a wonderful teacher . With violin my depression anger have just been swept away . I quit spending on luxurious items and being sarcastic. I wish I had started it earlier . People have still criticized me that i am wasting my time and I am bad at playing but they fail to stop me . Thank yoy tracher joy , you are one of the teachers I had watched fromthe beginning and your kind voice smile and tips encouraged me inspired me . I couldnt aporeciate it more . Wish you all the best and I wish one day I could see you in person and take lesson and thank you .I am 46 and thinking about going to colleage of music hopefully in 10 years .

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Dear User-iz, Bravo to you and all the power to you!!! I admire your dedication and drive. Stories like yours make me very happy and I hope you will have lots and lots of wonderful rewarding moments with your violin playing. I am also glad that I can be a helpful guidance in your journey with the violin. Happy practising!!!

[@GorillazGames]

Oh and by the way...I found that "choking up" on the bow the same way a baseball player chokes up on the bat gives me better control. My bow no longer bounces around on the violin. 👌

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Good work Gorillaz! I am happy for you! Happy practising!

[@kenkenpuzzle667]

thank you so much. very encouraging

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You are so welcome:) Thank you also Kenken. Happy music making!

[@JustFiddler]

i started violin journey 16... 😊

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Good for you JustFiddler! I hope you are continuing with your music making All the best to you!

[@BrendanRose-xz8qk]

Just as lovely as i remember you. :) Have a good day, Joy.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you Brendan. I wish you a Happy, Blessed New Year!

[@jasminduncanson2520]

😊 Happy New Year to you! Thank you for telling us that we are never too old to learn an instrument like the 🎻

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you also Jasmin and a very happy, blessed new year to you too!

[@nilsonhortenciobarbosa8788]

You inspire me to continue... Thank you Joy. At the end of this year I hope to send you a message telling you about my excellent progress in studying the violin.❤❤❤

[@JoyLeeViolin]

I am so happy to hear that Nilson. You're very welcome:) I wish you lots of wonderful musical moments with your violin. And yes, I would love to hear about your violin journey. Happy practising Nilson!

[@shipsahoy1793]

🎻Excellent!👨🏻 👍Great lesson, Joy! Thank you! Happy New Year!

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you very much Gary! May your New Year be filled with many beautiful moments, health and much more gorgeous music!!

[@kostaspantazis]

happy new year🎻

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you Kostas! My belated happy, blessed new year to you with much more beautiful music!

[@kylebaguan4337]

Thank you for this video. As a violist you really inspire me to practice everyday youre teaching is precise and motivate us that struggle is part of practicing. Thank you❤ btw I cant find your facebook group

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you kindly Kyle. I wish you lots of wonderful discoveries with music making! You can find our facegroup under the name" JOY LEE VIOLINIST COMMUNITY". facebook.com/groups/1092175367548462

[@jalajasankar6369]

Thank u mam for this encouraging video. Happy new year.❤🙏🙏🙏

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You're most welcome and Happy, Blessed New Year to you too, Jalaja!!

[@totoosarts]

Happy New Year to you and yours, Bless your heart and wish you all the best :)

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you kindly Totoo. Happy, blessed new year to you too!

[@razanabujamil4397]

Happy new year 🎉joy

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you Razan. Happy, Blessed New Year to you too!

[@Sara-wd5lk]

Happy new year, dear Joy! Thank you so much for your words, for being such a great inspiration and wonderful teacher! ❤❤❤

[@JoyLeeViolin]

A very happy, blessed new year to you too Sara with lots of beautiful music! :)

[@richardsvarghese7157]

Happy New year Joy maam🎉

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you very much Richard. A very happy blessed new year to you too!!

[@BrendanRose-xz8qk]

I know it don't count, but I'm finally gonna get an electric guitar, so i can learn and sell my music finally..... I got like 1000 songs I've made, can't sell ANY OF THEM, I need to learn electric guitar. I'm 38. I will.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Way to go Brendan! I wish you lots of beautiful music making!

[@binahdelille724]

Hello Joy. I would like to know where I can found a music stand like yours I see on the video?

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Hi Binah, I believe there are music stands similar to mine. My music stand was repaired and altered for my use. But I believe if you search for "wooden conductor's music stand" online, you should be able to find something similar. I wish all the best with the search.

[@Shrinksjp]

Well, I started learning the violin with private lessons in my 60s. I am on Suzuki book 7, but I am not able to learn vibrato, and this is so frustrating. I do not know what to do about this.

[@alexkuamoo3874]

May I suggest looking at your left thumb? As soon as I was able to play without my thumb having any tension (you should be able to have someone pull it away without any resistance), my vibrato developed beautifully.

[@Shrinksjp]

@@alexkuamoo3874 Thanks. I will try.

[@emebandeira]

Violin is very difficult

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

It’s as difficult as you make it. Go watch a video of Michael Cleveland.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Hi Eme, violin may feel like not an easy instrument to master, but when we treat it with sincere dedication and care, it will sing beautifully for you. We all go forward with one step at a time. But surely with persistence we get there. Happy music making!

[@emebandeira]

@@JoyLeeViolin Thank you for the explanation. I understood. But I play the guitar and the guitar has divisions on the neck of the instrument.

[@berenc7619]

​@@emebandeira you can order a fret guide for the violin - im relearning the fiddle . The fret guide is easy to attach to the neck and does not interfere with the intonation of the strings . Go to Google and tap in fret guides for violins , that may help you .