THE VIOLIN FUNDAMENTALS CLASS
Learn the core principles of good violin playing ... Play fluently and confidently in just two hours!

Whether you're a first-time beginner, a restarter, or you already play the violin, you're about to discover how it’s possible to master the core principles of good violin playing in just a couple of hours ... 

... and play fluently, confidently and with ease. 

It sounds extraordinary, I know! But that's exactly what happens every single week at ViolinSchool.

Whatever your age, let me show you how it’s possible to start playing the violin successfully in the quickest possible time ...

AS FEATURED ON:

For Starters ... And 'Restarters'!

TECHNIQUE

MUSIC

PERFORMANCE

Get started right with the violin!

Phone: +44 (0)20 3051 0080   Email: [email protected]

All classes are relayed ONLINE via Zoom, but you can also attend live at our London School ... if you're in (or visiting) the UK, come and join us in person!

If you don't yet have a violin, click here and we'll help you find one!

Q: How do I join the live classes?
A: The live classes take place online on Zoom. You will be able to book your first session as soon as you register, then you'll be sent an email with the Zoom meeting link, before the start of the class.

Q: Do you offer the class offline?
A: We occasionally present some of the Fundamentals sessions live from our school in London, England. These sessions will be clearly marked on the schedule. If you are in (or visiting) the UK, you are welcome to come and join us in person at no extra cost!

Q: Do I need my own violin?
A: If you are participating remotely, then you will need a violin. If you don't already have one, click here and we can help you find one that's right for you! Alternatively, if you are able to visit our school in London, England, then we can provide a violin for you to tuse.

Q: Do I need to read music?
A: No, the Fundamentals classes are taught without music notation. But if you'd like to learn how to read music, we can show you that too!

Q: How many people are there in each class?
A: We work to a ratio of 8:1 offline, and for online classes with more than 10 participants there is usually a second tutor or presenter available to answer any questions. We always make sure that there is someone from our coaching team available to answer any questions or help you with any instrument or tuning-related issues.

Q: What comes after the Violin Fundamentals Classes?
A: The Violin Fundamentals Classes lead directly on to our popular series Beginner Violin Courses which run three times a year on a termly basis. Course A starts with an introduction to the fingers, so you can learn how to create different notes by stopping the fingers on the string using the left hand.

There are three instalments - Course A, Course B and Course C. Once you've attended the Violin Fundamentals Classes you'll be ready to join Course A, which will give you all the foundational skills to play the violin well at a basic level. If you go on to complete Course B and C, you'll find that - within a year - you can play pretty much any simple melody fluently and beautifully on the violin! 

Q: How can I be sure that the Violin Fundamentals Classes are any good?
A: Our director Simon Hewitt Jones developed the workshop as part of his research at the Royal Academy of Music, refining it over several years to create the quickest possible route to playing the violin in tune and in time with a good basic sound. The class (originally known as the 'Beginner Violin Class') has now been running for over 10 years, and has helped literally hundreds of people to get started successfully with the violin!

It works for everyone because it explains the most important 10 or so core principles of violin playing in a really simple way, without getting into the nitty gritty of complex violin technique. So you really can be playing the violin with a good basic sound in just 2 hours!

Q: I’ve never played the violin in my life / I’d love to try this but I’m a bit nervous…
A: Don’t worry at all. You’ll have a great time. Our tutors are really nice and they take the approach that ‘no question is too silly’. Everyone else at the class will be feeling the same as you! But after a couple of minutes, we’ll tell you everything you need to know. You don’t need any experience at all for this class!

Q: I’ve played the violin before. Is this for me?
A: If you played the violin only at beginner level (i.e. no higher than ABRSM exam grades 3-4) and have not touched it for several years, you’ll certainly benefit from the class – so please go ahead and book today! 

If you’ve played quite recently, or if you reached higher than ABRSM grade 4-5, then we are likely to recommend that you take the Fundamentals Classes as a refresher, and then go directly to Course B or Course C (or even one of our intermediate courses, or a personalised Restarter Program). The best thing to do is to send us an enquiry then we can recommend the right class for you.

Q: What happens after the Fundamentals Classes / what do I do next?
A: Our 10-week Beginner Violin Courses lead on directly from the 2-hour Beginner Violin Class. It's possible to join the 10-week course directly, without coming to the 2-hour class, as the same material is covered in weeks 1 & 2 (but in more detail). However, many people like to come to the 2-hour Beginner Violin Class first, to get to know our teaching style before joining the full course.

Following the Beginnner Class, you'll be ready to get started on our Courses, which are available either by membership subscription or through our Coaching Program or Termly Enrolment. Our Learning Advisory team will follow up with you by email to answer any questions and help guide you to the right learning program.

Q: Where do I buy a violin?
A: We can guide you through the process of getting a violin for the first time - click through to our Beginner Setup process and we'll get you started from there. You can also find plenty of advice about finding a violin in our free online course, 'How To Get Started With The Violin'.

Have a question that's not answered here? 
Give us a call on +44 (0) 20 3051 0080 or email [email protected] and we'll be very happy to advise you!

Frequently Asked Questions

$129.00 / £99.00

PRACTICE

What You'll Learn in the Violin Fundamentals Classes

The Violin Fundamentals Classes will give you clarity about the first principles you need to know in order to play the violin well. You'll learn about:

How It Works

The classes are designed so that you learn intuitively – similar to how a child would learn a language. 

During each lesson and live class, we cover a small but critical number of tasks (both technical and musical). We repeat them really efficiently until you have completely internalised them and they feel really natural for you to do.

What They Say

“I enjoyed the whole session. Thank you very much! Re-familiarizing myself with my violin, starting at scratch and going over the fundamentals… I just loved soaking it all in and the emphasis on the checklist before you start playing – posture etc. I’ve been trying to stand up straight ever since!”

- Leela, Violin Student

You'll need a violin before you take this class!

If you don't yet have a violin, then check out ViolinSchool Beginner Setup - our 5 step process for getting started with the violin in the best possible way! We'll start by helping you find the right instrument for you. Read more here:

Violin Fundamentals

What's Included in the Violin Fundamentals Classes:

Let me explain how it works ...

My name is Simon Hewitt Jones, and I passionately believe in the transformative power of music.

I've been playing the violin since I was a child, but I'm still in awe of how its sound transforms how people feel.

It seems amazing that a simple wooden box can move people in such profound ways!

If you’ve always dreamed of playing violin, I’m willing to bet that you have felt its emotional impact yourself.

You heard someone playing and wondered, ‘What if I could do that too?’

One of the most fulfilling things for me and my fellow teachers at ViolinSchool is meeting new students like you, who possess this burning desire to play the violin ...

... because I know that all we have to do is remove the obstacles and barriers that stand in your way!

It’s why so many of my students have excelled within months of joining ViolinSchool. 

Here are some their stories:

You see, you don't need to start learning as a child in order to play the violin brilliantly. 

In fact, it’s never too late for you to start ... you can achieve outstanding results at any age!

And I can help you prove it to yourself.

Whatever your age...whatever your skill level...

...YOU have the inbuilt ability to do this! 

It’s startling what can happen when you let yourself succeed... when you put aside any limiting beliefs, and allow yourself the opportunity to try the violin.

That's exactly what BBC presenter Julian Marshall experienced when I showed him how to play a simple melody on the violin - live on BBC Radio.

Come and learn the Fundamentals of good violin playing!

Violin Fundamentals: 
A Strong Foundation For Your Learning

ViolinSchool is an extraordinary place for people who want to learn and grow as musicians. We're dedicated to helping people become the best musicians that they can be.

By the time you finish the Violin Fundamentals Classes, you'll have started to build up powerful, healthy habits that will set you up for whatever you want to achieve with your violin playing.

And if you want to take your learning further, you'll be correctly set up and ready to begin our renowned series of Beginner Violin Courses.