To People Who Haven’t Played the Violin In Decades…
It’s not too late to try again
You used to play the violin - seems like ages ago.
But then life got in the way.
Maybe you ran out of time to practice, were discouraged by a teacher, felt pressured by your parents, or became too busy with college, career, and family obligations. Now, years later, you remember your days playing the songs you liked and enjoying music.
However, whenever you pick up the violin now, it only squeaks and scratches for you. Maybe there is a broken string or a fallen bridge which needs repair. You try to play pieces you once knew, but your fingers don’t work the way they used to. Maybe you tried online instructional videos, but there is no help when you get stuck, and over time your motivation wanes.
Maybe you don’t even have an instrument anymore.
Maybe you aren’t sure where to start and feel like you have forgotten almost everything.
You might think it is too late for you.
You’re not alone.
Peggy’s Story…
As a 4th grader in the midwest, Peggy tried out violin through her school orchestra. At first it was a lot of fun, and her parents even bought her an instrument and signed her up for private lessons. However, the lessons eventually became boring for the energetic nine year-old who would much rather ride her bike than practice with a metronome. After a year of playing violin, she gave it up.
Decades passed without her touching the violin. One winter while attending her son’s high school concert, she was struck by what she called the “unbelievably beautiful” sound of the string instruments, and she found their bows moving in synchrony fascinating to watch. She began to notice the sound of strings on the radio, even in the background, and her interest in the violin began to reawaken.
Approaching retirement, she considered how she wanted to spend her future free time. She felt a pull toward the violin, as it would be something she could do alone or with friends, and she wanted to be able to play songs she knew. In addition, she felt an indescribable attraction to being able to enjoy making music again, something she hadn’t been able to fully experience when she was nine.
Once she had decided what she wanted to do, she figured, “Why wait until I’m retired?”
As she looked for a violin teacher, she became a bit self-conscious about her age as she saw young adult violin teachers online teaching mostly young students, and she “wondered what they would think of an older person.”
When she eventually reached out to me, I was preparing to start the trial version of an adult beginner violin class, and it seemed like a perfect fit for her goals. She wanted to restart from the beginning, with no expectations about how much she was supposed to remember
A few weeks into the class, she said of playing the violin, “I just love it!” It has been a totally different experience from playing as a kid, because now she actually wants to practice. She finds that the time she spends practicing flies by. She uses practicing as a reward for completing other tasks, and when she isn’t able to practice, she is actually disappointed.
She advises other adults considering learning violin as an adult, “Just try it!”
Hi, My name is Esther Witherell!
I am a professional violinist and teacher based in Tempe, AZ, with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance. You can read my full bio elsewhere, but for now let me just say that one of my specialties is helping adults reconnect with the violin.
Over the years, I’ve worked with numerous students who are coming back to the violin after a long absence, and I’ve noticed that people in this situation share common challenges:
Stiff joints that don’t work the way they used to
Thinking “I’m the only one” when hitting roadblocks
Embarrassment about what they do or don’t remember
Self-consciousness playing for others (especially a teacher)
Self-criticism when progress takes longer than expected
Difficulty making regular time to practice
In considering the needs of returning adult students, I’ve developed a novel solution specifically for you that addresses each of these challenges.
The SOLution:
provides a positive, encouraging, and judgment-free space for you to reconnect with the violin.
creates a community of others just like you who will share similar struggles and support each other on the way forward.
supplies the professional input you need to be confident you’re returning to proper form
fosters accountability to practice daily
makes practicing easy, straightforward, and fun
addresses the needs of older violinists with specific exercises and adjustments for aging hands
Introducing…
The Return Of the Violinists:
A 3-Month Violin
Refresher Course
designed to jumpstart your return to the violin
even if you haven’t touched the instrument for 30, 40, or 50+ years
As part of this course you’ll get:
Weekly group class instruction for one hour per week
Weekly videos to guide you through your daily practice sessions step-by-step
Weekly Zoom office hours for personalized problem-solving
Access to the community Facebook page for sharing progress and asking questions
Two half-hour private lessons
By the end of the class you’ll be able to:
Read music fluently
Understand the fingerboard in first position
Produce a beautiful tone
Figure out new pieces on your own
Play the most common major scales in first position
Hold the bow without tension
Remember what you learned as a kid and advance even farther
Perform with a group (and on your own, if you’d like)
You’ll carry a priceless skill into your future.
You’ll develop your body and sharpen your mind.
You’ll enjoy the ability to bring music to your family and friends.
The Details
All classes will be held at Sara’s Place - A Piano Studio, located at 403 E Broadmor Dr. Tempe, AZ 85282.
Lessons will be held on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. starting October 1st.
The classes will culminate in a group performance on Friday, December 20th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Parish, 1735 S. College Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281
Here’s what beta testers are saying:
“… one of the most fun and challenging things I have taken on as an adult learner”
Colleen Coady
I’ve always loved the sound of the violin, and as a newly retired adult, I had an inkling that I might like to play it. Imagine my excitement when I discovered a new adult beginner violin GROUP class. KISMET - it was meant to be.
Esther helped me pick the right beginner instrument, and our class curriculum book is clear and easy to follow along with. As an ASU doctoral grad, Esther’s teaching style is structured but relaxed, and she is so very helpful when we need some extra attention on form or style. Learning in a group setting is fun as we are all in the same “beginner boat,” and the practice videos provide a great structure for at-home practice.
This has been one of the most fun and challenging things I have taken on as an adult learner, and every day I am still excited to be doing this with Esther!
When you sign up for the course,
you’ll receive the following:
6 hour-long group classes - $360 value
6 Practice videos - $120 value
Two private lessons - $80 value
Weekly Zoom office hours - $60 value
Access to the Facebook group - $40 value
Final performance $30 value
Total course value: $690
However,
Because this is the first time I’m offering this course to the public and it is still in the testing phase, I will be offering the whole course at up to 54% off!
You can get everything listed above for just a one-time payment of $375 or three monthly payments of $136!
Space is limited for these classes, so sign up today to reserve your spot!
Register below and submit payment through the secure payment platform Stripe.
Four reasons to sign up today:
There are only four spots available in each class, so space is very limited.
Registration won’t reopen until January, 2025
I can’t guarantee prices will stay this low the next time around
If you register before September 23rd, you’ll get the special bonuses listed below!
Bonus!
Sign up by September 23rd, 2024 for the following gifts!
Complimentary practice journal (usually $8)
Hand exercise ball for grip strength and flexibility (usually $8)
Guarantee
It takes dedication and regular practice to make progress as a violinist. If you’re not “gosh dang I can’t believe I waited this long to start”-happy after the first two weeks, you may cancel within the first month for a full refund
IF…
you provide at least five days of documented practice per week in your practice journal.
I can offer this guarantee because I know that if you put in the work of practicing daily, you WILL see results. I cannot guarantee results unless you put in the work. But I’ve done everything I can to make sure the process is simple, fun, and no-brainer easy.
It’s going to require dedication to add a new habit to your lifestyle, but if you stick with it, I ensure you will make progress.
To reserve your spot in a class starting the first week of October, simply follow this link which will take you to a registration page where you will be able to choose which class time you prefer and submit payment.
Questions?
What if I don’t have an instrument?
Fill out your information in the registration form and indicate that you don’t have your own instrument yet. I’ll be in touch with more information on how you can rent or purchase your own instrument as soon as possible.
For any other questions you have, feel free to reach out to me via email: eewitherell@gmail.com