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LOL @Barry - don't hold back there man !
( actually sounds like a pretty darned normal playing day for me - I share the pain ! )
But equally man, never heard anything you've presented here that wasn't worthy, you do a darn good job, it's just a bad day dude !
Oh - by the way - how's Buddy settling in ?
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh -
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)

Regulars


Barry said
And I dont know what the hell is going on with my tone... bow hair wore out ? or maybe its crappy steel strings or this low quality, no count rosin
Have you tried wiping the strings? That can make a big difference.
When one is away from something for awhile, some backtracking is usually in order. It doesn't feel good to know we've backslid, but it might make a big difference if you spend some more relaxed time on the basics. My two cents.









OH.. NO.. NO you don't.
Barry.. you have been listening to a lot of really really nice music.. from artists more advanced. So sometimes when we hear ourselves our expectations are too high...sometimes the recordings are so yucky....
Please look at the video you sent me.. and the quality of the tunes in just a little video that you shared with me. Your Swallowtail passion..and all....
Man, you don't suck .. not at all. I look up to your playing. Muscians/artists have these kinds of days, weeks, even months.
I am glad you got it off your chest. Do you want to try to work on something new .. a fiddle project??
What can I do bud?
Cheers, and Cheer up
Toni
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

Honorary tenured advisor
Regulars

There's too many things that effect tone to be too concerned about it at any given moment. If you're talking about the tone under your ear, a change of rooms can work wonders. If you talking about tone on recordings, then I'm with you, the fiddle is pretty darned hard to record and make it sound right -- at least for me and with limited resources.
Most importantly, it sounds like you've forgotten to have fun playing. When I get stuck in a rut, I go back to the old standards and play around. Play this and see if it isn't fun. Don't forget to imagine Patti singing while you play it.
http://www.hughcan.com/music/t....._music.pdf
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright

Members







Well, putting on a new set of strings or trying a different rosin can help sometimes, any little thing can be a game changer.
But what I think is most likely, Barry, is that as you've gotten better, you've also "raised the bar" on what you expect from your playing. We all do that, I think. The further along you get, the more you expect from yourself, and so sometimes it seems like you've made less progress than you actually have. Whereas a typical listener would hear it and go "Wow, you're getting really good on that thing."
We are usually our own harshest critics.
"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

Regulars



@Barry
Am going through similar things now myself. I'm not as good as I should be. Can't play a tune through without screwing up somewhere. My playing is just so erratic. I don't know anybody else that plays the violin or is even interested in music. Darn
And just to make it worse, I know that the problem is all 'Me'. I know there is nothing wrong with my instrument. It's a good violin with great strings and a reasonable bow.
But I'm 'not' giving up. I'm sure that it's a hurdle that I just have to get over. It's not the first one I've come across but it's the biggest so far.
I don't have another instrument to fall back on and I'm not going to 'change horses midstream' so it's a matter plugging on.
I read somewhere recently that it take 10 years to become really good at something. So I'll just look at the bright side. Only 7 and a bit more years to go.
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????

Regulars



Barry said
this was me 5 years ago at the one year mark, dont see a lot of improvement since then giving I got 5 years in since this video. I dont know what Im going to do yet folks, giving it some thought
The only way the we could make a real comparison would be to hear how you play it now mate. Would really like to see it.
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????

Regulars



I meant to méntion in the earlier post.
I think that you where probably a 'fast starter' and the problem with that is that you expect the progress to be at the same fast rate.
I don't reckon that it happens that way. What actually happens is that after that first good start you have got the easier bits out of the way. Now you are having to cope with the 'harder' aspects of playing and the progress is slowing to a more realistic rate and you are being frustrated by it.
And just another point. I don't know what fiddle you are playing but I think that if the fiddle is not as good as you are, it may be holding you back
BTW.... I've heard you play better than that recently
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????









Barry you are so much more fluid now. I know that I am no big critic..and I don't have a bunch of critique or expertise.
I think what I find is that sometimes as an adult beginner violinist I feel so alone... and I get stuck and I can't move forward or past the bump. And I get disconnected. I want to do more.. and more is so much work. More takes motivation...and in my case it takes someone to show me. I am not a good self teacher in violin. That came as a surprise to me as all the other things I do self taught have been easy.
The world seems to scoff at the adult beginners... and some adult beginners take themselves far too seriously. And ...well there is so much more friend.
I don't know what I am saying but I know that what you said .. the name of this topic.. I have said to myself before. And even much worse.
I can't wait to hear you play Barry. Not even because I want to compare or blow sunshine up your ... but I want to hear you play.. because I WANT TO HEAR you play.
So play a song or two for me please. Pretty please with sugar on top. I am a fan.
(((((((HUUUUUUUGGGGSSS))))))
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato









p.s. it is also scary to me. Scary that this can happen after so much progress. But it is good. It is all good in the world of music and art. We feel things deep with our heart and soul. We play with our heart and soul.
It is as personal to us as our family....etc. So I get how you feel Barry. I do get it.
xo
Toni
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato









At John... I am glad you are not giving up.
You had a great stint of progress...a great milestone with the wedding... this kind of good stuff can be followed by a lull. A dullness.
You have what it takes. I hope to play with you for a long time.
We've come a long way baby!!!! woot!
Keep on playing.
xo
Toni
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

Member

The violin as all instruments are a life journey, we do hit speed bumps often, but you will overcome. It just takes time, 6 years is a long time, too much to give it up. Maybe just play without being recorded for a while the sheer fun, and love should be priority over perfection and advancement. After 10 years at drums, I have days,weeks, even months of just horse-pucky playing, but in going through it the hard parts I couldn't do, I was able to, yes you struggle, we all do but in the right time should you not give up you will prevail. Don't take from the world a needed, talented musician, and yep, I'm talking about you.
Give No Mercy To Fear.







Hang in there buddy. You've gotten a lot of good feedback. We all like your playing AND you are an important contributor here. I like CPO's idea of a new project to get excited about. I LOVE listening to Thaxted but can't get excited about playing it. I've tried. It's just not happening. So maybe start another project that you can get excited about.
Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.

Barry.
I recently had problems with my bow and the usual fixes did not work. So, I went and washed the bow hair with DAWN .... not that the hair looked that dirty. Air dry overnight and re-rosin. Good as new!
One way to help your motivation is to define your (realistic) goals. I suspect that many learners expected it all would progress faster and further. I have always had the impression that your playing was a cut above average and you had a real connection with your music So, if you crash and burn, it is your own fault! Some bright guy said "Things are never as good as you want or as bad as they seem!"

Yes, I do not think that the violin is user friendly compared to other instruments and not as rewarding for the same amount of effort. I doubt that many students know that.
I put up with the violin because I am retired, have the time, and have no fixed plans for the future. I will play in public but I really don't care. It's just fun for me.
I think you are correct and young enough to review your ambitions.
I'll tell you something funny. I used to hang out with a crowd of amateur violinists who had a favorite instrument "on the side". They all played piano but needed something small for the community orchestra
Decisions, decisions !
PS See FM motivation list at bottom of HOME









Oh Barry.
I love your playing. You have a good strong sound on the violin. It doesn't not even seem like extra good 1st year playing, It is better and seasoned. You have good strong bowing arm. I wish wish I could get consistent like that. I feel your vulnerability when you play and that is a good thing.
I will be eager to see what you decide. Of course I hope to be playing violin with you for a long while to come. But if a break is needed.. well you know... ( I mean I'd like to twist your arm and say.. "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING MAN!!!!" ) But that isn't very supportive right?
I support your piano playing and friendship regardless.
I Love your piano playing. I am so glad you posted that. I felt your music while you played piano also. And a little boogie woogie ending.
Fan Toni.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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