Author Archives: KindaScratchy

About KindaScratchy

I'm a novice fiddler and mandolinist. I've played the guitar for many years and also play the recorder, fife, flute, and, more recently, tin whistle. I work in the communications field and, in addition to music, I enjoy photography, writing, gardening, golf and travel.

This Italian created a violin with strings made of spider silk

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom thelocal.it: An Italian student’s violin using spider silk was the winning entry in an award for innovation in London, celebrating the work of international students in the English capital. Luca Alessandrini, a post … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Violin made from Winston Churchill’s cigar box to be auctioned

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom www.classicfm.com: A violin made from the famous Prime Minister’s cigar box is expected to fetch between £500 and £1000 at auction this month.The instrument was made in 1956 by the self-taught violin-maker William … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

99 year old fiddler blows everyone away with Opry performance

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom CountryRebel.com Violet Brumley Hensley, also known as the “Whittling Fiddler,” has been a musician for most her life, a fact made apparent every single occasion she takes stage.  At 99 years of age, … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

School boy undergoes surgery after being hit in eye with violin tuning screw

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom The Violin Channel: A legal battle has erupted in Newport, California after it is alleged that a school boy suffered a serious eye injury, after a violin he was using snapped – sending … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Leave a comment

Violin making in Denmark, part 1: 1700–1840

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom The Cozio Carteggio Newsletter: The history of the earliest Danish violin makers, who continued their craft despite the Napoleonic wars, shortages of wood and Denmark’s bankruptcy By Jens Stenz In the history of … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

More string players of today should listen to singers past and present

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom The Strad: The great string players of the past embodied the ‘singing’ style that signifies their relationship with vocalists of the time. Why can’t today’s stars capture the same atmosphere, asks Tully Potter. … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bluegrass Underground Special airs February 19th on PBS

Join the forum discussion on this post Bluegrass Underground is a musical adventure series that shines a light on purveyors of musical authenticity in a space unlike any other on (or under) Earth. Bluegrass Underground emanates from the Volcano Room, … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Leave a comment

Guitarist performs on the world’s last playable Stradivarius guitar, made in 1679

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom GuitarPlayer.com: The name Stradivari is typically associated with violins, violas and cellos. The instruments made by the celebrated Italian family in the 17th and 18th centuries are among the most rare and coveted … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Leave a comment

Rare violin used to record ‘Star Wars’ soundtrack stolen

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom ABC 7 New San Francisco: SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The search is on for a rare violin that was stolen out of a car in San Francisco last week. The violin is worthy … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

New record set for world’s most expensive violin bow

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom The Violin Channel: Beares Auctions, London has announced a new world record for the most expensive violin bow ever sold in history at auction. The silver and ebony mounted violin bow, made by … Continue reading

Posted in Members Articles | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment