Violin.

I've played violin since I was about 10 years old. I didn't start practicing seriously until a couple of years ago. Naturally, I have a lot to catch up on. I've had private lessons, but, since she saw I wasn't exactly planning on making 'violinist' my career choice, she never really forced techniques on me. My main point is that my self-esteem in regards to violin is like a middle-school girl.

Last year, my music teacher asked me if I wanted to play the violin part for the school musical's pit orchestra. I accepted only after my private violin teacher said I would definitely be able to play it (Yes, that's how fragile my confidence is. Play me a linkin park song.). I don't feel like typing out the whole story (message me if you want the story, I guess); in short, I was among four players.

In one rehearsal, the clarinetist turned to me and said,

"You were so out of tune."

For some reason, this struck a huge nerve - like, the funny bone nerve.

First off, it's hard to change positions (lol innuendo but not really you pervs) when your hands are sweating, and violins have no guidance. Observe:


Don't get me wrong; I understand that each instrument, in its own way, is difficult to play. What ticked me off was that he apparently had no understanding of the fact that I have nothing to rely on except for my muscle memory and my sense of pitch. I heard a lot of wrong notes from him, but I didn't say anything; I just assumed it was difficult to play.

So, what I'm trying to say is, don't criticize someone if you don't know how to do it well yourself.