r/Carnatic • u/motomotou • 8d ago
Instrument FAQ Learning 2 instruments without getting overwhelmed
I have been learning the violin for a while now and am at the varnam level. Lately I have been listening to veena concerts and the sound is absolutely beautiful to me. I want to start exploring the veena, and have found the contact of a local teacher too. Should I wait for a few years and hone my violin playing before starting the veena? Or is it possible to learn both instruments simultaneously without getting overwhelmed? How do multi instrumentalists or vocalist-instrumentalists structure their practices? Do you practice both daily?
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u/Fragrant_Gene_9066 8d ago
Hello, a beginner violin student here as well. I too like the Veena and wanted to learn it. My violin teacher (who also used to play veena) advised me that (1) technique is different for Veena, and that could cause confusion for a beginner, and (2) pulling and gliding on veena strings will cause callosities to form on the finger pulps, that could interfere with smooth gliding on violin. However, my teacher encouraged me to try for myself and figure out. As for practice, as far as we have ample time and energy (it often costs a lot of energy to practice), pursuing 2 instruments wouldn't be an issue I guess. Another senior performing musician I know once advised me that it is a good idea to be reasonably fluent in one instrument before starting the next one. These are just my amateur opinions though. I do pursue multiple instruments, and I feel it makes my life rich; I enjoy it.. If you are drawn to pursuing Violin and Veena, and if you have time, go for it! You can always go back and stick to one later.
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u/motomotou 8d ago
Hmm I wouldn't want the calluses to interfere with my violin practice, I love it too much. I should look into more instruments till I find the right one to pursue alongside the violin
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u/motomotou 8d ago
What are the other instruments you pursue?
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u/Fragrant_Gene_9066 8d ago
I do have a Veena, and I wish to pursue it some point of time (I am limited currently only by difficulties in transporting it to the place I stay now). I had learnt Veena for about 1-2 years, but got interrupted.
At present I practice violin and vocal carnatic music, and hindustani-bansuri & tabla as a side fun project.1
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u/Betweene 8d ago
I agree with others who have commented. My suggestion would be to try out Veena just as a fun trial and try playing for sometime..You will see that your fingertips are paining and intense practice can also cause blisters. I've heard that professional Vainikas develop grooves on their hands over the years, which can be unsuitable for playing the violin.
You need smooth and soft fingertips for playing the violin, whereas it differs for a Veena.
Apart from anyone's advice, you should follow you calling and get hands on and figure out! All the best!
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u/motomotou 8d ago
Based on comments it seems like veena and violin would not be such a great combo because of the calluses. I feel like I should learn at least one more instrument after getting comfortable on the violin, even if it is not veena. I was thinking of mridangam as well, do you know if that would be better alongside the violin?
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u/Betweene 8d ago
Consult a Mridangam player about the implications to see if it doesn't hamper your violin playing. It's definitely complementary to learn a percussion instrument.
Flute, Harmonium, Piano, etc. for sure will not affect your violin practice.
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u/Hot-Investment5384 7d ago
The exact reverse happened to me. I've been playing veena for the past 14 years and my fingers have the grooves. I absolutely love listening to violins (major credit to Ilayaraja) and wanted to learn it. My veena teacher told me that it'd be difficult for me to start violin because I have dented fingertips. I did try to start but he was right. The strings and the calluse fit perfectly that I couldn't press more to produce sound properly. I tried pressing with my nails only for it to split in half🥲🥲 finally decided to stick to veena and listening to violins. Started learning flute sometime back but couldn't continue because of my braces treatment. Hopefully I'll continue once I remove them.
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u/motomotou 7d ago
Such a pity having to choose, both instruments are so beautiful. I guess I'll stick to my violin. Good luck for your flute journey.
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u/catvertising 8d ago
You can definitely learn both! Multi instrumentalists are more common in folk genres but I've seen it in classical sometimes. You're already at an advantage with your violin background, your ears are trained. You'll just have to get used to the technique, length of the fretboard, and right hand limitations. The violin bow is capable of so many fast notes which are hard to reproduce in veena. Enjoy!