Nothing like adding on a more difficult string (low F)... definitely makes the rest seem easier to play, especially my former nemesis - the C string! 

...not sure I can handle it if anyone complains about their G string right now. (lol)

Spent time today putting myself to the test, just to see how hard it was going to be for me (from now on) to learn fiddle tunes without an E string. 

Wanted to learn another Jig, since St. Patrick's Day is coming up - decided to torture myself with the Turlough O'Carolan tune, Edward Corcoran (anyone try Corcoran boots?  Kevin Loves 'em!).  Learned from the video posted in the Find a Special Jig You Are Drawn To? Thread.  Think it's best to play along with this video (which has GREAT rhythm), so I needed to stay in it's key, either do some shifting or play an octave lower - and since I need to work on lower strings, I chose the latter.  Telling my brain to play an octave lower while learning a tune by ear (the versions of sheet music at thesession.org are NOT the same as Eliza & Nancy's version in the video) - did slow me down a bit!  Caught myself quite a few times trying to play what I heard, instead of an octave lower, so messed me up - but persevered & starting to sound okay!  Just haven't gotten the 2nd round of it down where they add harmony - I'll need to figure out what double stops I can do, because I'm not going to play 2 separate tracks.  It's going to take me a few more days. (lol) 

All my playing/practicing hasn't totally been self-induced torture - I'M ALSO HAVING A RIOT! 

Been doing a lot of experimenting to see what's possible with my measly 2 hands & NO backing track - for The Captain Down Below!  Think I especially wanted the low F string for this tune - not ready to record, though. 

Can't believe I entertained the thought of one string even lower (B) - I should've NEVER listened to the Bass Singer's version of Hoist The Colours! 

Yeah, must be the disney pirate in me blood trying to work it's way out!  

...too cool!      

I probably should've thought of this earlier - can I damage my Arcus P5 CF bow playing Col Legno Battuto ricochet?

Maybe I shouldn't be practicing Col Legno Battuto ricochet with my good CF bow, but I've really been having FUN with it!  I'll have to see if it feels the same using my cheaper bows - just for practice.  I don't want to noticeably mark up my Arcus P5, but I'm not going to keep switching bows while playing. 

Starting to get comfortable with the FCGDA string lineup - I do end up needing to rosin my bow more often, now.  Working on bowing & articulation to play quick & nimble on the low strings - finding Viola & Cello tutorials actually help me play better on them! 

Also, it's getting easier to think an octave (or more) lower while learning a tune normally played with the E string - then some are easier to play in another key, afterwards.  I also notice that some tunes sound better in specific keys.  Not sure what that's all about - maybe a key allows me to play in a slightly lower octave, on certain strings, or maybe it's something to do with the nature of my Fiddle(?) 

Took a 'Vibrato Day' yesterday, and the Vibrato on the violin - Typical Mistakes video from Eyal Kless was such an EYEOPENER!  He demonstrates EXACTLY how I'm holding the violin wrong!

So, still trying to play with my violin in a little higher place on my shoulder - it's the only way I've been able to easily stabilize it to free up my hand - otherwise it does want to slip forward & I end up holding the neck wrong.  Tired of trying different setups!  Some pain & tension in my left shoulder & upper arm is a concern, trying to support the neck with my thumb.  Really hate having my violin very high on my shoulder, though - feels like I'm bowing straight out in front of me... going to work on posture (it went to pot a long time ago).

I've been noticing some famous Fiddlers, like Martin Hayes & Liz Carroll, actually rest the neck on their palm - think it's to avoid how I've been resting it on my index finger knuckle, but I really don't want to have to resort to that, if at all possible.

Gotta get some of this stuff out of the way so I can get back to concentrating on the EV side.

@Katie L -

Yes, I watched & posted it in the Take A 'Vibrato Day'! Thread.  I see I listed his exercise videos I watched, but didn't highlight them (will fix).  Tried them, too!

I've gained something from all the Eyal Kless videos I watched & posted about, but I can't do some of them justice until I can get more comfortable holding the violin differently - so I'm not inadvertently "putting the brakes on my vibrato". 😔

Are you finding his videos helpful? 

@Katie L -

You are doing great learning on your own!

I'm guilty of not working on everything I need to consistently - I get bored and sidetracked.  I'd like to be more pro-active, but it's VERY hard for me to keep up the enthusiasm for the 'not fun' aspects of playing. 

Getting a little itchy to record, but tied up with one of my Granddaughters' Birthday this week. 

Changed my other 4 strings to a Vision C & the rest to Rondo.  Getting used to them - these G, D & A strings are much thinner - especially this new 'A', it's VERY thin, like an E string, compared to the thickness of my old Zyex A string! 

*update: trying a Kaplan, short-scale Viola C string - in place of the Vision Violin C.  First thoughts: the Kaplan seems to bring me closer to the characteristics of my Rondo Violin G & D... we'll see!

Sure wish Thomastik would make a Rondo Violin C & Low F string!!! 

...still practicing every day. 😊 

Can't believe, well suppose I can, that Positive Grid is coming out with a new practice amp - the Spark 'Go'. 

It's not even quite the size of 2" stack of 3 x 5 cards (I'm thinkin' old transister radio)!   This amp should fit in a violin case! 

It's only a mono speaker, but stereo if you plug in headphones - not sure how that's true stereo(?)  Battery lasts 8 hrs & all the same Spark App features with 4 custom presets.  It's got double the impedance of the Mini, but wha da ya want for next ta nothin'? 🙄

Be pretty cool to throw in a backpack with an electric pochette, or ukulele, & take off to... 

Good thing it uses the same App. 

Yep, I'm thinkin' about it - part of my master plan with the Grandkids. 🤭