I'm sure we've all had those times where it seems that the violin is winning the practice battle.  Fingers seem to be like butter, slipping all over the place or not hitting right on where you aimed etc.  Last night was one of those nights for me...  My old timer violin showed me who was boss with no shame.  She's not very forgiving anyways and we had some choice words for each other... Or, well, she screamed several times even when it seemed the bow was right on lol. 

My point is though...  Even though practice didn't go the way I really wanted it to, a great deal was still gained.  Every time you pick up the violin is a success, one way or another.  Sure, when I put it down last night I felt a bit deflated but you ALWAYS have to remember that it still was a great practice because we learn from those moments to grow even more and push on further.  No matter how 'badly' your practice seems to have gone, just remember that you put the effort in and HAVE FUN with it regardless.  Even last night, the passage I was working on didn't go great but I ended with Ashokan Farewell, a song I know VERY well by now and upon setting the old girl back in the case I still felt a sense of accomplishment.

~FiddleDetroit