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The Sound of 20+ year old Strings Compared to New
Critics Welcome! Just read my disclaimer below ;-)
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djroger
Milan, Illinois
March 23, 2016 - 10:05 pm
Member Since: January 18, 2016
Forum Posts: 56
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Ok, got brave enough to post a video!  A few things you may notice:

  • My Avatar picture is from over 20 years ago when I still had hair.  That really is me!
  • My left finger mobility is still somewhat limited from an accident
  • My right wrist has limited motion for same reason
  • I've only been back playing for about 6 weeks after a 21 year absence
  • I'm not a good video editor!  I accidently cut out where I mention I put on new strings.  After I come back from walking away is when the new strings are on it.  I will then botch-up Old Joe Clark for a second time!

Any suggestions are more than welcome!  I'm still amazed at how much I've forgotten!

https://youtu.be/WD1_G3gUeps

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risk
littleton, Colorado

Regular advisor
March 24, 2016 - 12:26 am
Member Since: June 21, 2014
Forum Posts: 136
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One thing my teacher rides me for is moving my shoulder. Stand next to a wall and play, use only your elbow to play. This will also help the bow remain parallel.

Nice wrist!!!

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BillyG
Brora, North-east Scotland
March 24, 2016 - 4:00 am
Member Since: March 22, 2014
Forum Posts: 3746
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Welcome back following your 21 year absence !   I do believe the string-change was needed - LOL.  All good, and great to see the improved left-hand-finger flexibility.   I won't attempt to critique any technical aspects as I'm a relative beginner myself, other than to say - with your obvious enthusiasm, playing will rapidly become an obsession - so - beware !

Best wishes on you re-started journey !

I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - guntohead.JPG

Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)

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djroger
Milan, Illinois
March 24, 2016 - 7:05 am
Member Since: January 18, 2016
Forum Posts: 56
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risk said
One thing my teacher rides me for is moving my shoulder. Stand next to a wall and play, use only your elbow to play. This will also help the bow remain parallel.

Nice wrist!!!

Yes, my instructor has pointed out my shoulder movement, too!  I didn't realize I was moving so much until I made the video.  Playing while looking in the mirror just isn't the same.

I'm still working on more right wrist flexibility, but with the amount of hardware inside it, this may be pretty much the limit.  In the late 90s, I went through a series of quite painful steroid injections to see if it would help.  It did somewhat, but every time I'd get one, I'd be off work for 2-3 days.  Finally gave it up and just learned to deal with it.

I will try standing against a wall.  I can see where that would certainly limit backward shoulder movement.  I'd better pick a smooth wall or my elbow could get 'sanded'.........We have a sand finish on most of our walls.

Thanks for your comments!

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damfino
my own little world
March 24, 2016 - 9:45 am
Member Since: July 23, 2015
Forum Posts: 2113
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It could be your shoulder movement while bowing is you compensating a little bit for the limited wrist mobility without realizing it. I've never paid attention when bowing myself where I start using my fingers and wrist to avoid feeling the need to move my shoulder.

Being very new to all of this myself, there isn't any kind of technical advice to give. But very good job! I'm glad to see you made a video :) New strings sound much better! Keep it up and I look forward to seeing more videos from you :)  

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Fidelestre
Texas
March 24, 2016 - 10:06 am
Member Since: June 21, 2015
Forum Posts: 240
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The new strings are a big improvement!

overall looks like a great re-start. You srem to have a great hold on the violin, not using your left hand for suppprt so your left hand can move freely.

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Uzi
Georgia

Honorary tenured advisor
March 25, 2016 - 3:27 pm
Member Since: January 19, 2014
Forum Posts: 973
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The new strings sound much better.  Mine are needing to be changed and they've been on less than 6 months -- I think. 

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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djroger
Milan, Illinois
March 27, 2016 - 8:11 pm
Member Since: January 18, 2016
Forum Posts: 56
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One of my motivations to get back into playing is that two of my Grandkids are taking up string instruments.  One Grandson is in his second year of violin and one Granddaughter is in her first year of Cello.

To keep our "project" simple, we are doing a slow rendition of Boil The Cabbage Down without anything fancy.  They wanted something to play along with, so I made this video today.  Just for fun, I used my electric.  C# always sounds odd on this (?) tell me what you think.  Other comments welcome, too!

This was also a good way to see if I'm breaking the habit of mo0ving my shoulder!  I di practice quite a bit this past week standing against a wall and I think it is helping.  Just wish I still had right wrist flexibility!

https://youtu.be/5VOmzyn8CWw

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Georganne
March 28, 2016 - 5:27 am
Member Since: August 28, 2013
Forum Posts: 993
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Well I can tell a great improvement in form between these two videos.  You're not "sawing" in this second one.  Love playing Boil Them Cabbage but I call it Bile Dem Cabbage lol  

 

Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.

 

Alaska, the Madness; Bloggity Stories of the North Country

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
March 28, 2016 - 2:10 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16539









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Great job. I realize how difficult it can be to come back after a long period of time and to top it off, with injury. I'm glad you didn't give up and I believe you'll keep going as well. Once you've overcome so many hurdles, there's no reason to give up. :)
Work on that right arm as others have said. The movement is coming very much from your right shoulder whereas you should use mostly elbow to move the bow. Height and angle adjustments come from the shoulder but not bow direction. Eventually, you'll work the right fingers and wrist but using baby steps forward. :)
You get a badge for the video.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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damfino
my own little world
March 28, 2016 - 4:45 pm
Member Since: July 23, 2015
Forum Posts: 2113
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I do see an improvement in your right arm from the first video, good work!! Keep it up :)  

☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆
World's Okayest Fiddler
☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨* •☆•*¨*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆

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djroger
Milan, Illinois
March 28, 2016 - 7:49 pm
Member Since: January 18, 2016
Forum Posts: 56
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Thanks for the comments!

I've taken a step back, so to speak, and slowed everything down considerably from what I was trying to do.  It's frustrating not being able to play like I used to!  I try to practice anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours a day (unless 'life' gets in the way!) and have realized, I need to go back to the very basics, and get those perfected first!

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Fidelestre
Texas
March 30, 2016 - 2:37 pm
Member Since: June 21, 2015
Forum Posts: 240
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Your bowing looks much better, in terns of much less shoulder motion. That is something I really struggle with.

I agee with getting the basics right from the start. When I first restarted, I played a lot of tunes. Now I spend at least half my practice time on scales and other things simple enough that I don't have to think about the left hand. Hopefully thia will help with bowing.

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