Personal Narrative: My First Violin

When I saw the violin for the first time, I knew I would play that instrument. I went to a show with my parents when I was a young girl- about four or five years old. The majority of the performance was the string orchestra. When I noticed the violins, they were mesmerizing. In my eyes, the violin was a beautiful and graceful instrument. The unique shape and color was the greatest part. It was then that I decided that I wanted to play an instrument. The first time I tried the violin was in third grade at school. I did not know anything about the violin, which made me doubtful and nervous for my first lesson. As time passed during the year I knew I was doing poorly in my lessons; I was frustrated and angry that I was not doing as well as the other students. I wanted to quit violin and try a different instrument. Fortunately, I met Miss Baisch. She was a kind and compassionate woman, who changed my life forever.
When I went to the show, the only thing I noticed were the violins.
They were beautiful and elegant. When third grade came I picked out my first violin. Then came the first day of lessons with the third grade orchestra teacher. I was not very good at the violin and during lessons I did not do as well as the other students. I thought I would never improve. One day I pondered the thought of discontinuing the violin. I explained this to my mom. She said to persevere and that someday I would become and amazing violinist. I continued playing for the next four years, improving a little bit each year. However, towards the end of sixth grade, the thought of quitting set foot in my head again. When I came to seventh grade, I met a wonderful teacher named Miss
Baisch.

To my surprise, in seventh grade, I realized I was quite good at the violin. Miss Baisch taught me how to be an excellent violinist and helped me realize all of the mistakes in how I played. She taught me how to hold my bow and how to properly play notes. She told me that if I practiced regularly, I can be successful in playing the violin. Miss Baisch was starting to become my favorite music teacher. She was kind, patient, and enjoyed working with all of her students. Practicing became a bigger part in my schedule. I was more aware of how well or badly I did in my lessons and I became more satisfied with my performances. Finally, with Miss Baisch's help, I learned how to become a better violinist.

I started to improve during orchestra. Soon, I was one of the best seventh grade violinists. I then started to learn some advanced techniques such as vibrato; a vibrato is when you move your hand back and forth in a quick motion to momentarily alter the pitch of the note you are playing. This adds a dramatic effect and causes the music to sound more professional when you play it. Consequently, I can now tune my own instrument as well as others' instruments. I know several amazing skills and I am confident when I play. All in all, I love playing the violin and I improved from third grade to be an amazing violinist.

I realized that I had a passion for the violin and I wanted to play for years. Over the course of those four years, I became a different person. I love music and enjoy playing my violin. I am also more responsible in remembering to bring my instrument to rehearsals. I learned that perseverance will help me achieve my goals in life. In addition, I learned that if I practiced, I would be successful. I was less doubtful and I gradually became more confident in myself. Practicing and going to lessons helped me become a stunning violinist. Someone once told me that the violin is one of the only instruments in the world that can change your brain. Little did I know that that was true the whole time whilst I doubted myself.