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Aloha @Fiddlerman,
I finally got a little tired of seeing the "frets" on my fingerboard and took off the appliqué yesterday. Now my fiddle looks "normal"
I've been experimenting with a couple of things and just decided that, now that I have a much better understanding of the intervals between the notes, I should take of my "training wheels" and play my fiddle like the big boys.
I have to say that I'm still missing some of the notes, but my ear is getting better and better (I just wish my finger placement would improve as quickly). There are times I feel like a sax player - just a little off, although that works in jazz very well
Oh well, it's part of the learning process, and I still sound worlds better than when I first started out!
Oh, and I also got a Tonareli case for it - much, much better than the "free" one offered by my local violin shop. I'm pretty pleased with it thus far, although the hygrometer is really hard to read. That's ok - I just use the flashlight function on my iPhone!
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congrats Ibud on the big step!
Lead me, Follow me, or get out of my way!
~General George S. Patton
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Congrats, iBud! that's a huge step towards more advanced learning. 
Skype: augustoad Email: augustoaguieiras@hotmail.com Phone number/whatsapp: +55 42 9861-4084. I'd be happy to talk anything fiddle-related to anyone! :)
Honorary tenured advisor
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aloha @iBud. It looks like a proper fiddle.
May I suggest that whenever you are practicing and the intonation isn't correct, fix it at once, don't just keep going. I don't know if this will work for you, but I rarely look at my fingers, although I do often watch the contact point. Soon your ears will become the guide for your fingers and your eyes can be used for something else.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright
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Good for you iBud. You should be proud. 
Now you can pick up anyone's instrument and jam!!!
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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@iBud
Congrats to you Ibud. I had two tapes for two years. I was very reliant. I was given my New violin in December 2013 on my two year anniversary of playing. I was told..."put tapes on it and I will take it away.." I think they were kidding.. but anyway... It took a lot to feel comfy... but now another year later and I am doing better.
Congrats
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Aloha everyone,
Thanks for all the responses, as well as the encouragement. I think I've figured out the basic intervals, but now I have to fine tune them. @Uzi, I'm trying to hit the exact sweet spot for all of the notes, but there are times, especially when I get a little tired, that were I to stop every time I was just so slightly off, I would never get through even one song
@Fiddlerman, I think I needed the tape in the beginning, but I really thought about what you said, that of using your ear more than your eyes (looking at the fingerboard, that is) and, once comfortable with the basic intervals, chose to take off the training wheels and see if I couldn't just miss that ditch on the side of the road (I failed to miss the ditch when learning to ride a bike, but was hopeful not to repeat that embarrassment on my fiddle). It will take a little getting used to, but I think I'm improving. Plus, I got to where I really didn't like the look of the "frets."
I may stumble on my way, but overall, I think @Fiddlerman is correct. I'd rather use my ears to tell me when I'm off, than my eyes. After all, I wasn't going to use that tape forever, so I figured "sink or swim", once a was comfortable playing, that is.
I have a soundcloud account - maybe I should use it to actually post something. Assuming I do, I'll post a link. Thanks again for y'all's responses.
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Congratulations,
I took my training wheels of a couple of months ago, but kept falling over
and put them back on after about three weeks. Maybe someday.
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Good points. And yes, it's better to use your ears but many would have a harder time using ears without having at least a slight clue about where to first put their fingers down for at least a little while.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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One thing I would add about tapes and especially the applique type "helps"...
You have to remember that they aren't actually like frets on a guitar or mando, etc. They are not high enough to "help" with getting the right note. Any help that markers give is a help to your mind, a frame of reference. Something to make that inscrutable little strip of ebony seem easier to navigate.
So all along, it is just your fingers playing the notes, and your ears telling you if it sounds right or not.
The playing and if you are coming down on the notes right has always been all you.
Kinda like in "The Matrix". "There is no spoon.."
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman
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