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.

Lexington violinist teaches kids to tell musical stories

Posted on November 26, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom the Boston Globe: Anwell Tsai is an accomplished violin soloist who has performed with many regional symphonies, so he knows a thing or two about classical music. Tsai, founder of Lexington based Playful … Continue reading →

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Violinist unearths mystery behind her 345-year-old violin

Posted on October 24, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom Tuscon.com/Arizona Daily Star: Chee-Yun plunked down a small fortune for her 1669 Francesco Ruggieri violin, an instrument whose provenance was a mystery. The seller offered no list of violinists who had played it. … Continue reading →

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Three Quick Lessons From The Violin Wunderkind Who Became A Master

Posted on October 8, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom NPR.org: Joshua Bell was once a boy wonder of the violin. Now, at 46, he leads nine young musicians in Masterclass. HBO’s 30-minute documentary series pairs young artists with world-renowned mentors such as … Continue reading →

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Air Canada Makes Public Declaration of No Violas in the Cabin

Posted on October 2, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom the Violin Channel: Air Canada has today published a detailed explanation of its musical instrument transportation policy – declaring violins and cellos are permitted to be taken within the cabin, but violas must … Continue reading →

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Buddy MacMaster, renowned Cape Breton fiddler, dead at 89

Posted on August 21, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom cbc.com: Renowned Cape Breton fiddler Hugh Allan (Buddy) MacMaster has died at age 89. A friend of the family confirmed MacMaster died in his home in rural western Cape Breton in Nova Scotia around 9 p.m. … Continue reading →

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Woman quits career in NY to make violins in Mass.

Posted on July 17, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom the Washington Times: CHATHAM, Mass. (AP) – Lots of people harbor dreams but never follow through on them. Rosemary Clancy’s was to craft violins by hand. She was 42 years old when she … Continue reading →

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‘Star-Spangled Banner’ author may have been tone deaf

Posted on July 3, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom the Chicago Tribune: By Jeffrey B. Roth Reuter GETTYSBURG Pa. – The author of the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which will ring out at thousands of baseball games and parades across the United States … Continue reading →

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Musicians are probably smarter…

Posted on June 21, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom The Huffington Post: Musicians Are Probably Smarter Than the Rest of Us Want to keep your mind healthy and sharp throughout your life? Pick up an instrument. A new study found that musicians … Continue reading →

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Kreutzer Stradivarius violin fails to sell at auction

Posted on June 20, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom The Strad magazine: The instrument has been valued at between $7.5m and $10m The ‘Kreutzer’ Stradivarius, due to be auctioned by Christie’s in a sealed bidding process on 18 June, has failed to … Continue reading →

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U.S. Man Pleads Guilty in Case of Stolen Stradivarius Violin

Posted on June 14, 2014 by KindaScratchy

Join the forum discussion on this postFrom the Wall Street Journal: MILWAUKEE—A U.S. man pleaded guilty Wednesday to providing the stun gun used to rob an orchestra concertmaster of a $5 million Stradivarius violin. Universal K. Allah, 36, faces a … Continue reading →

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