I bought an electric guitar a long time ago and liked it but it really isn't my thing. I became decent at it but I'm going to sell it now and buy a violin. I use to play when I was younger but stopped. I was pretty good but gave it up for some reason :(. I'm going to be playing classical of course :). What I am wondering is can anyone give me a good violin to try and buy?; I don't really want one of those "starter violins". Is there really a difference in brands like guitars? I'm not looking to get lessons right now and am going to self teach myself how to play again; is there any advice or websites you can give me to help me start back out?

Thanks for you help.

*EDIT* I love listening to classical music as you probably found out already but I have another question. Can you also give me some advice of what composers to study or play when I get better? Are there any I should try to study now and go slow on it perhaps on trying to play it? Any recommendations on songs would be helpful, thanks again.

Here's a site that you might find interesting. Scroll down to the clickable links after the ads. The clickable links are violin pieces by various famous composers.

Violin Composers (http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/violin_composers)

Here's a better site:

http://www.theviolinsite.com/composers/index.html

That second site has free downloadable and printable sheet music too--plus other neat stuff!

Awesome thanks, that should help me a lot on finding sheet music on songs I like. I know a lot of composers but that should also help me a lot on expanding my knowledge of styles since it has a lot on there :D. Thanks again, can't wait to get back into classical music; I've been excited to make some beautiful music again :). Although it will probably take me a while to get over the SCREEEECHing again.

Oh yeah, I forgot to ask if anyone could post a link or give advice on the posture of holding violin / your neck. I remember when I use to play our teacher would get so mad at us because of this and I remember it was a major thing to deal with.

I do encourage your efforts at learning how to play the violin.

I would suggest that you get a private teacher for awhile so that you don't set yourself up for learning mistakes as far as technique is concerned. Only someone advising you in person can truly help you with that. I have been a music teacher for a long time, both choral and instrumental. One of the instruments that I teach is the violin.

The way you are shaped on your body makes a really big difference as far as holding and playing the violin. You can look at as many pictures as you want. But, the advice of someone who can really see you is best.

If you click on that better site, and then click Violin Pedagogy, there are all sorts of helps on how to hold the bow and the violin and how to do other basic things.

We will expect a concert from you by the end of summer.

How is your return to the violin going? Just a note if you are still playing--I have one of those "starter" violins (from fourth grade) but last year I had took it to a violin expert who put on higher quality strings and adjusted the post inside and it sounds great now--no more brassy notes (well, at least not ones I can blame on the violin).