> What does a hobbyist know about these things? I certainly don't. I don't know at all well. I made some progress with violin but not on any fixed schedule.

> What does a hobbyist know about these things? I certainly don't. I don't know at all well. I made some progress with violin but not on any fixed schedule. I can't recall anything hurting, but if something did then no doubt I just slowed down. But I started violin late, in my 20s and had three problems -- no talent, too old, and too little practice. Still I made some progress, e.g., the Chaconne which is no joke. I do have a little insight: For a while I was a math grad student at Indiana University with, of course, its excellent music school next door including violin from former Cleveland concert master Gingold. So, I met a lot of violin music students, e.g., guys who could sightread, e.g., the Vieuxtemps 5th violin concerto. Those students showed no pains, and all but one of them held their violin just fine. Generally if something hurts, then something is wrong, and don't do that. And for the pressure of a competition, wait a while, take longer until are really ready. If are desperate for results for a scholarship or some such, then accept that music is mostly for pleasure, keep music as a hobby, and do something else for money. Sorry 'bout that. Or, maybe play country music on violin. I suspect those guys DO get paid, and from the audience it seems that maybe they have yet to learn about third position, much less fifth position, and much, much less being able to play all the scales in all the major and minor keys. So, play some Country or Bluegrass.