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Hello from England
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LEW1982
England

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February 13, 2014 - 12:12 pm
Member Since: February 13, 2014
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OK well I joined a fun local orchestra 22 months back.  I choose violin because I was suffering from depression and wanted a new challenge (I was 29 years old then and felt learn an instrument now or never).  What happened was that I had to work mondays (the evening adults received their lesson) so I just rocked up every Thursday and played the easy bits without practising, often the same sheets as the tiny little kids.  The depression was bad so I hardly faced picking up the violin in the week.  

 

I've been playing for 22 months but I 'suck' so to speak.  The noise of the orchestra hides the bad sounds I've been producing.  I am not depressed now and want to try and learn something.  Not got much money available for lessons at the moment.  Just the general support of this 'fun' orchestra and the level is very low so that everyone can be included.  That's great but I want to push myself now.  Or at least learn something.  I've not really learnt any thing even though I go to this fun orchestra. 

 

I am also really painful about holding the violin correctly. The other adults sometimes hold it too high.  I want it just right because it spoils the sound quality.  I can see my bow skating up towards the bridge when I am playing though.  It's hard for me to notice when playing in a group - the recorders/cello/advanced violinists drawn out the noise etc 

Many thanks.  Great to chat

 

I thought joining this community might help me. 

I am British and joined a fun local orchestra two years ago as an adult learner.  However, I've missed most the lessons and play open strings with the kids.  Now I actually want to learn.  Just realised I might as well having been playing for 1 month. Plus I get arm ache when I try and practice properly. 

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RockingLR33
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February 13, 2014 - 1:25 pm
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Welcome LEW! this is a great place to learn violin. A lot of us here are adult beginners/learners. this place is a great place to be for those looking to improve. Feel free to ask any questions and browse the archives for questions posed by many of us. 

 

I'm glad you're out of your depression. I know the violin helps just keep me happy. music does wonders for the soul and mood :D hope to hear more from ya and your adventures with the violin!

Lead me, Follow me, or get out of my way!

             ~General George S. Patton

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TerryT
Coleshill, Warwickshire
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February 13, 2014 - 5:04 pm
Member Since: December 15, 2011
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Hello from another Englander.

This site is great for learning, I just Haven't been able to get here much recently due to work etc.

I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....

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Oliver
NC

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February 13, 2014 - 5:22 pm
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There is more free instruction on the internet than you might imagine but you have to surf for it AND, Fiddlerman offers a bunch of excellent tutorials right here.

 

 

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

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Ferret
Byron Bay Australia
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February 13, 2014 - 6:24 pm
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Hi from 'Down Under' aussie_flag

:)

Lots of great people and resources here.

Have fun

Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of dunno ..... What was I saying???? facepalm

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
February 13, 2014 - 6:44 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
Forum Posts: 4180
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Welcome and enjoy!!!! 

Toni from Cali, 2 year student

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
February 13, 2014 - 7:41 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Thanks for the introduction LEW1982
I'm glad you can be so open about your troubles. Hopefully you will find a family here and get some good motivation as well.
Look forward to your future progress reports ;-)
You need to dedicate a certain amount of time to get better but most importantly, learn to have fun.
Now, what exactly is painful when you play?

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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LEW1982
England

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February 13, 2014 - 7:59 pm
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Thanks. The arm just feels really stiff, almost the tricep area.  It only happens when I practice on my own.  I know why this is - I hear everything at home so have to make more effort.  Other instruments drawn me out at orchestra.  I am probably holding the instrument differently at home. Also the shoulder rest - well that nearly ended up being thrown out of the window today!!  Kept falling off.  Hate it.  Used to have a big sponge and was told that was for the kids in the orchestra.  Preferred it

I am British and joined a fun local orchestra two years ago as an adult learner.  However, I've missed most the lessons and play open strings with the kids.  Now I actually want to learn.  Just realised I might as well having been playing for 1 month. Plus I get arm ache when I try and practice properly. 

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Mad_Wed
Russia, Tatarstan rep. Kazan city
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February 14, 2014 - 5:20 pm
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Welcome to the forums, LEW1982! Being a member of an orchestra is great! Good luck with modifications of your posture. Took some time for me too.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
February 16, 2014 - 5:56 pm
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Sounds like you have a good idea of what to do. Definitely get a new shoulder rest or sponge too. I have one of those kids sponges at home that a distributor sent to fiddlershop. I'll ship it to you if you call and give us your address. If you can't figure out how to relax, make a video and let us all have a look.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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fishnrodds
northwest minnesota
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February 17, 2014 - 8:24 pm
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Hi Lew!  I took my first fiddle instructions from a brit, good freind, very good picker. I was very fortunate..welcome aboard!!  Paul

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LEW1982
England

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February 18, 2014 - 6:10 am
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Thanks.  Might post a video.  Never done such a thing before.  I am going to have to work through the grade 1 book myself.  The adults who started with me have passed it but I couldn't make the lessons.  

 

Then in orchestra we don't often play the tune.  We are doing 'Symphony no.5 Beethoven and I like it because for the first 10 bars you can hear the tune in what I am playing.

 

Thanks for your kind offer.  I've found my sponge plus I put the chin rest to virtually zero and it stays on and feels a bit better.  Still I suspect they are a painful issue and take a bit of time getting right.  Not cheap to be swapping about either 

I am British and joined a fun local orchestra two years ago as an adult learner.  However, I've missed most the lessons and play open strings with the kids.  Now I actually want to learn.  Just realised I might as well having been playing for 1 month. Plus I get arm ache when I try and practice properly. 

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TonicScale
Camarillo California

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February 23, 2014 - 3:42 pm
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Hello from California!!!  I don't really have any advise to offer as I am beginner, but I do know, as I suffer from depression, Music Transcends all maladies.  Thru pain of emotion, many injuries and cancer treatments, Violin, Piano, Guitar and Theory Study,  I'm at peace most of the time...

I've found reading thru the groups of this forum there is a plethora of knowledge and help.  Some mighty fine folks here...

 

Welcome!!!

C

 

A Painter Paints Pictures On Canvas...

Musicians Paint Their Pictures On Silence...

==

 

...

 

 

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LEW1982
England

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February 27, 2014 - 7:53 am
Member Since: February 13, 2014
Forum Posts: 5
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Being really brave this is the first 3 bars of Mattachins 

 

I know I look miserable (haha) - just getting used to self publishing.  I am going to delete this really soon and do a better one but for now!

 

Played properly here:

 

 

Played by me here.  Started on this piece today never done before.  Be nice :)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....e=youtu.be

 

Advice on technique...

I am British and joined a fun local orchestra two years ago as an adult learner.  However, I've missed most the lessons and play open strings with the kids.  Now I actually want to learn.  Just realised I might as well having been playing for 1 month. Plus I get arm ache when I try and practice properly. 

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StoneDog
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February 27, 2014 - 11:31 am
Member Since: January 14, 2013
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Your violin sounds nice. Your bow as you already stated does need to be parallel with the bridge. It can make a big difference. From reading your post, it sounds like you really want to get SWEET on the viddle. Straighten the bow out and play a lot of scales to the metronome.at different bpm everyday. The whole pain thing with holding the viddle etc will pass. It took close to 2 months before I even started feeling comfortable with just holding it. I had pains in my arm, back, neck, etc > sucked > but now I just flip it up on my shoulder and go at it. > I don't even think much about positions as much. It feels very comfortable to me. Work hard at it and have fun. It does reap SWeetness.

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LEW1982
England

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February 27, 2014 - 1:58 pm
Member Since: February 13, 2014
Forum Posts: 5
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OK cool.  So I need to straighten the bow out!  Yeah that makes sense even though I didn't quite spot it myself when playing.  I've spent a while thinking about how I hold the violin and not focused on the bow so much.  Sometimes in orchestra during loud pieces I'll look down and notice I'm virtually sat on the bridge with the bow.  This is the part which perhaps isn't making it sound as nice as it could then.

Thanks.  Never done scales.  Not sure where to even begin with adding in a metronome.  Sure I can work it out.

 

P.s the Key signature changes on the song at bar 10 and there are 3 sharp signs.  Does this mean that the song has changed to A major?  I am just guessing all this.  I know in some majors, e.g. G major (I think!) you have to pull back a finger away from it's natural position.  I think in A major with the 3 major signs the fingers will all be in their natural position.  Do I even know what I am saying :) ???

 

I haven't got to bar 10 yet.  I finished at around 5 I think :)

I am British and joined a fun local orchestra two years ago as an adult learner.  However, I've missed most the lessons and play open strings with the kids.  Now I actually want to learn.  Just realised I might as well having been playing for 1 month. Plus I get arm ache when I try and practice properly. 

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
February 28, 2014 - 1:29 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429
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Glad you are "Being really brave" :-)
We enjoyed the post. It's a great way to advance and super fun to come back to later and see your progress.
Keep on posting.
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