How long does it take for a complete newbie to go from not being able to playing the violin to being able to learn violin with a decent amount of competency? With the right violin tutorials it can be faster than you can imagine. There are many variables which can answer this question, but it can come to reasons such as putting in the required hours, practicing excellence over and over again and having the right mindset. If someone truly devotes themselves to the violin they can go a long way in the first year of practicing. Others may find it takes longer and the penny drops later. They can be frustrated that other people are learning at a faster rate and then one day it just clicks for them.