Meet an adult leaner this week, I would like to introduce Antonio Olsson. He is a software developer from Stockholm, Sweden.
Why are you interested in learning or playing the fiddle (i.e. violin, viola, bass, cello) as an adult?
I think I always wanted to learn the violin. I have memories of loving the Scandinavian old time fiddle music. But was discouraged as a child due to people telling me it was such a hard instrument. When giving it some effort, as an adult, I’ve found it to be the best, and most rewarding, hobby I’ve ever pursued.
What challenges and rewarding experiences would you like to share with readers about learning the fiddles as an adult?
In the beginning, the most challenging thing was to not immediately stop when you were out of tune. Which you basically are, all the time. Another challenge was to dare practise when living in an apartment house.
There’s so many rewarding experiences, so can’t really list anything specific. But I believe the best is yet to come.
As an adult beginner/learner, how do you find time to practice? How long do you usually practice?
I would guess my average are probably around 1 hour/day, for the last 2.5 years, started 3 years ago.
Fiddling is usually what I want to do the most, of all things, and it’s basically how I relax, so I don’t have a hard time finding time for it.
Introduce your instrument and its bow – history, name, maker, etc.
My current fiddle I play on, I have 5, is recently bought on an online auction. It’s supposed to be Swedish made from the region of Jämtland. But age of making and maker are unknown.
I will probably always try to buy Swedish made fiddles, probably older ones, in the future. And I guess it’s mostly a vanity or sentimental thing. As I like tradition and mostly want to play Swedish/Scandinavian folk.
Share with us your setup – brands of shoulder rest, chinrest, rosin, strings, etc.
When I buy new strings it’s usually Dominants, and I like the not so bright sound of them. My recent violin purchases have old steel strings (I think Swedish made Prim’s) on them, and haven’t changed them yet.
I have Kun shoulder rest, and some older I got with the first violin I ever bought, a cheap Thomann. Both rests works fine.
I seem to prefer wooden bows, had carbon fibre ones until recently. But the more lightweight wooden bows feel a lot smoother to play with for me.
What pieces of music are you working on at the moment?
1814 (Polska från Södermanland), Eklundapolska Nr 3, Halls Lilla Vals, Local Hero (“Going Home” theme), Josefins Dopvals, Gånglåt från Mockfjärd, among others.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in learning the fiddles as an adult?
Don’t hesitate, if you want do it, just try it out. Start out with an instructor, it’s important to not contract bad habits in the beginning.
Practise frequently in shorter sessions, rather than longer sessions sparingly (at least in the beginning).
Find what makes you enjoy playing, and focus on that. If you’re a person who likes to set high goals for yourself with challenging and maybe chore-like practise session. You do that.
I’m not one of those. and it’s very important to me that I enjoy playing on the instrument, almost every time I do it. So my practise sessions is mostly me working on a piece (probably of a higher level than I should be working on), but that’s how I like to go about it.
Anything else you would like to add?
I was in a rough period in my life when I decided to start learning the violin. Spent hours upon hours and long nights playing video games, and then felt quite empty inside. Then I thought; -What the heck? Why not use these hours to try and learn this instrument I always wanted to learn, instead. I think it’s maybe one of the better choices I’ve made in my life.
Thank you Antonio for sharing your story with us. If you want to be featured like Antonio, feel free to click on this form.