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So I haven't been on this site since August so I just wanted to come back and say thank you to Fiddlerman and Fred. This community is one of the best and Fiddlerman was able to help me get the ball rolling with all his helpful info on this site. And Fred, well Fred's "Slipper" is the only reason I am able to play the violin. I feel like I should buy a second one for back up in case he stops making them for some reason. 
So fyi...everyone go buy Fred's Slipper shoulder rest asap!!! Him and his son are making a fantastic accessory.
Anyways, I have only been playing for a year and a half to two years but on and off. To everyone who thinks that they'll never get over some hurdles, I assure you that you will with practice. I am in grad school and didn't play at all last semester. I made it a point to play this semester so I have been putting in the minimum 20-30 minutes a day and now my fourth finger is 10 times stronger and my bowing is amazingly better. I choked up on the bow so I that hold that silver section that is above the leather and now the balance in the bow is so much better for me. Now my tone is actually consistent and I play with confidence.
So I'm going to possibly play with my local orchestra. Obviously I'll be the last violinist but if the conductor lets me play with them tomorrow then I will try my hardest to keep up with everyone.
I don't expect people to remember or know me, but just take it from a noob that you can get good. I even wanted to play the violin left handed as I play string instruments left handed so playing the violin right handed is very hard for me as my left fingers are not very fast at all. But the key to getting better is putting in the time AND always work on doing things properly. In my little time that I play I never take short cuts and it has helped me out now that I am good enough to not have people flee from the room when they hear me lol.
I trust everyone has been having a good weekend and I will try and be on this site more and get involved with everyone again!
-Matt
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Thanks for the update, Matt! Glad that you're back.
I totally agree with you about the Slipper. I got one for Christmas and love it. It really makes the violin feel secure on my shoulder.
Good luck with your orchestra!
-- Diane
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
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Hey Matt,
Welcome back. We've missed you.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Great advice!
Thanks.
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Good to be back! So I'll be playing in my community orchestra starting this Monday. I'm nervous as hell. I'm not that great but if they'll put up with me I'll try and learn everything I can.
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The will to learn will get you far. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Good luck playing in the community orchestra!
Oh and I agree with you about the Slipper! That is the best shoulder rest I've tried and I wouldn't give it up for anything. It has really helped me with my comfort while playing my violin. Ha...playing is more like screeching! LOL!
Fifi
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I'm sure you're better than that Fifi! Try choking up on the bow like I did. My tone IMMEDIATELY got great just from choking up an inch or two.
Thanks FM. I may not be that great but I feel like I can be good if I just get the chance to be around good people. I can pick things up so I'm hoping that this will be a positive experience. I'd rather be a fiddler than a violinist, but I'll take this necessary step to get decent.
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Hman said
Thanks FM. I may not be that great but I feel like I can be good if I just get the chance to be around good people. I can pick things up so I'm hoping that this will be a positive experience. I'd rather be a fiddler than a violinist, but I'll take this necessary step to get decent.
You are so right about that Hman! I mean the part about feeling like you can be good if you can be around good people. I felt like my playing improved by a few notches just by standing and playing next to Pierre at the SoCal Jam. Hearing the sound of a talented player in my right ear and seeing his movements in my peripheral vision help me to calibrate my own playing.
I'm just hoping to hang on to the bump he gave me (figuratively speaking). Maybe if I could just find a few good fiddlers in my area willing to jam with a beginner, I might hang on and make a few more strides.
The group projects, instruction and idea exchange here absolutely help, too, of course, but there's something about playing together in person.
I'm with you on prefering to be a fiddler, too...no offense to violinists intended.
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
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KindaScratchy said
Hman said
Thanks FM. I may not be that great but I feel like I can be good if I just get the chance to be around good people. I can pick things up so I'm hoping that this will be a positive experience. I'd rather be a fiddler than a violinist, but I'll take this necessary step to get decent.
You are so right about that Hman! I mean the part about feeling like you can be good if you can be around good people. I felt like my playing improved by a few notches just by standing and playing next to Pierre at the SoCal Jam. Hearing the sound of a talented player in my right ear and seeing his movements in my peripheral vision help me to calibrate my own playing.
I'm just hoping to hang on to the bump he gave me (figuratively speaking). Maybe if I could just find a few good fiddlers in my area willing to jam with a beginner, I might hang on and make a few more strides.
The group projects, instruction and idea exchange here absolutely help, too, of course, but there's something about playing together in person.
I'm with you on prefering to be a fiddler, too...no offense to violinists intended.
Diane I have to agree with you and by default Hman. The two days I experienced with the three very talented violinists in Orlando has absolutely changed my playing and by some degree my enjoyment of playing. It is something else entirely to be in that atmosphere! Just hearing the dynamics that were produced, feeling the excitment and trying to match bowings, Im still in awe of that experience when I think back on it. So yeah, if you get the chance to play with good players its highly recommended by me!
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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Matt!!! Welcome back buddy!!! We were wondering what had happened to you, but remembered you were pretty swamped with school.
And, thank you soooooo much for the Slipper accolades!!!!!! I know you know, it's not about the money for me, but the enormous satisfaction I get from knowing that something I designed and we make, is helping people do what they love.
And Diane and Fifi, thanks so much too for your praises,,, means the world to me.
Diane, I had the exact same experience from the SoCal Jam! It made me realize, especially watching Pierre, that playing should be a fun experience, not a technical or arduous experience, and that you can just let yourself go and enjoy the movement, the interaction, the sound, and the smiles. It was great having my teacher [Richard] there too because he is now focused too on helping me to learn phrasing and to enjoy the movement more.
Matt, congrats on the orchestral gig, you'll do a great job and it will be a GREAT learning experience! Please post vids when you get up and running with it; that would be a huge treat for us to see you playing with an orchestra!
Thanks again Matt, you made my day!
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Diane - I'm jealous.
Pfish - Maybe one of these days we can actually get together.
Fred - You are welcome. I love it to death!
Yea, I've been really busy with school and am getting my master's degree this semester or during the summer. Needless to say one faculty member screwed me over from getting into the PhD program even though all the rest love me. I'm actually extremely upset about it, but I am going to use the next year to just practice my ass off with the violin and this orchestra and teach at my local community college before I go back for my final diploma. It's gonna be interesting playing in an orchestra on Monday's and going to my fiddle instructor on Tuesday's lol.
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Hman said
Good to be back! So I'll be playing in my community orchestra starting this Monday. I'm nervous as hell. I'm not that great but if they'll put up with me I'll try and learn everything I can.
Are you talking about Brevard Community Orchestra?
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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