Uzi said
 If that's him in the picture on the video, he's holding a 5 string. 

Aloha @Uzi.

Of course you're correct on that one.    The one possibility I didn't consider!  D'oh! Actually, I didn't even look at the album cover - I just assumed he was playing a 4-string fiddle. I was starting to wonder how he got into the upper register with a viola, but a 5-string explains everything.  I can still probably transpose it up a third and still be able to play it on a violin (after about 5-10 more years, that is).  He's really flying on the fingerboard on that one.  I guess my next investment will be a 5-string fiddle, then.

I learn something new every day.  Thanks again, @Uzi, for pointing out the obvious.  BTW, how did you like the tune?

Aloha again @Uzi,

The thought of purchasing a 5-string was a little tongue-in-cheek.  I may, sometime in the future, get one, but I'm going to stick to what I have for now.  That being said, I've ordered a Rosewood tailpiece that should match my tuning pegs and chin rest (although they may also be changed later, for ones that are carved or a different design, respectively).

Don't tell @Fiddlerman, but I also ordered one of those finger tape sets - I know he thinks we should learn intonation on our own, but while I've gotten close, it's off just a bit and it's driving me up the wall.  I know of several violinists that have used that type of thing for up to a year or so.  Actually, the one interval that gives me problems is the minor third.  It's as iffy ins and 2nd fingers don't get along and they don't want to be next to each other.  I'm getting more used to that as well, but sometimes really miss the note (G natural on E string, for example).  Actually, now that I think about it, it's normally the 1st finger that doesn't want to line up right next to the 2nd finger - I'm not sure why that is, but I'll get it eventually.  

I saw the link for Skype lessons, but I'm really in no rush to become "performance ready" myself, so I'll take it easy and learn at my own pace for now.  While I'm an absolute beginner at the violin, I'm not a beginner with music and music theory, so I have a good foundation, albeit on the piano.  There are a bit of differences between sheet music for the piano and violin, but I'll hang out here and ask questions when needed.  

Thanks again for your responses.

Aloha again @Uzi,

I went round and round with myself over the finger guide thing, but finally decided that I needed to get some muscle memory for the intervals.  I don't know that I'll use it for that long a period, but it really drives me up the wall when I'm just that little bit off.  Sometimes, it seems I never nail the position in certain spots.  That's where I'm glad, in a way, that I learned the piano first - you never have issues with where to strike the keys, unless you're not looking at the keyboard that is.

One thing I haven't done is really practice the minor scales, not that I practice the major scales all that much.  I should do much more of that.  It will really help to mentally know the intervals when reading sheet music - I'll know better where the fingers have to be.

I starting trying to watch the contact point of the bow, in an attempt to improve my bowing, but at times that also goes out the window.  I'm getting better, although my bow still slides around somewhat.  

I also took the opportunity to order a new tailpiece with black/gold fine tuners, and I think it will look pretty nice once they get here.  It's being shipped from the US mainland, eBay says it should get here as early as tomorrow, so it should be here this week sometime.  I should be pretty set by then.

BTW, I was able to transpose what I have for Yew Piney Mountain up to B minor.  Take a look at what I have and let me know if you think a different key would be better.  Also, is there any notation for the different positions, such as 1st position as opposed to 3rd position?  I haven't found anything on that, but wasn't sure if it existed and I was looking in the wrong spot.  I don't have the double stops yet, as I was more concerned about the melody and seeing if I can play it at all.  If you have any suggestions for notation, please also let me know.

Aloha @Fiddlerman,

Being that you're the admin of this site, I kind of figured that you may have seen that post. D'oh!    I'm getting better at hitting the right spots, but I thought to give my wife a bit of rest from the rest of the times - when I don't quite get it right.

Actually, I get a bit frustrated when I screw up and if I'm trying to play, say, Ashokan Farewell with a background track, it really throws me off.  I get a little bit irritated with myself because I feel that I should know where that sweet spot for each note is, but for whatever reason I fail to hit it.

It's different from the piano, where you can easily tell every key location.  I think it's also due to my short exposure to the violin.  I'm very experienced with the piano, so it's much easier to play something.  On the violin, it's much more complicated, at least for me, having to get both arms/hands working both independently and in concert with each other with actions completely unlike that of the piano.  Still, when I can play something seemingly well enough for my wife to hear, I feel good about that little bit of ability.  I don't know if I will ever be able to play like some of my musical idols, but within the journey lies the fun, right?

To be honest, I haven't worked on Thaxted yet, but I would like to thank you again for this website.  It's easy to get discouraged at one's (lack of) progress, but with these projects, we (for me, eventually) get to virtually play with each other.  I have to try your intonation game as well.  Thanks for offering so much to those like me, complete beginners.  

Oh, and once my new tailpiece gets in and I get in installed, I'll be sure to upload more pics.