About Merton Shatzkin Expertise I can answer many questions about: playing the violin, musical acoustics, music theory, music composition, music history, especially biography, teaching the above subjects, but not knowledgeable about popular music.
Experience I am a retired teacher with over 30 years`s experience teaching music subjects at a university, chairing theses, and writing articles and a book. I also am a professional conductor, violinist, and composer.
Question I know nothing about playing the violin. I have trouble with my big fingers touching adjacent strings. My fingers are not short, just big hands. Is this something that I need to be concerned about. Will I still be able to learn or will this always be an issue?
Answer Without seeing you it is a bit hard to say, but very likely you could overcome this problem. Some violinists have big fingers and manage quite well. Another option is to take up a larger instrument--the viola or cello. Touching adjacent strings is not a problem as long as the bow is not drawn on those strings.
