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Retired in retirement.
Life's ups and downs.
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (181 votes) 
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December 23, 2021 - 6:15 am
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Hi,

Thanks Andrew; out of interest I've been watching our long term weather forecast in the run up to Christmas; I'd sack the lot of them for incompetance; we've had snow; sleet; heavy rain and now light rain forecast for Christmas Day; I could forecast like this without the need of spending £m's on modern technology and satelites etc.

Christmas-forecast..JPGImage Enlarger

Why don't the forecasters state the weather on a day to day by having someone local actually look out of the window; I copied this forecast knowing it to be absolute rubbish.

Bron's very happy just having had the run of Boundary Mills; we arrived on site at 9 o'clock expecting queue's but apart from us there was only another customer in the store so Bron really enjoyed herself. This is the first out of 45 years married Bron hasn't chosen to visit M&S; we browsed M&S website last night but Bron decided to visit Boundary instead; good choice she bought quite a few items filling the trolley. Normally Boundary Mills is spotless but this morning Bron told me the ladies toilets were a disgrace. At the checkout the asistant said it's going to be a busy afternoon instore; the Christmas decorations are being taken down; I asked if the Easter eggs are being displayed together with Valentine cards?

I was up at 5:30 and back home from the supermarket before 7:00 so it's been a busy morning.

I'm happy; Bron's happy and after dinner I've got the German violin to play with which I'm looking forward to. If or when the weather tops 10C then I'll resume work making a violin; it's currently 6C (43F) at the moment and very gloomy.

Daylight is now lengthening and we can now look forward to springtime; I can start to look for the bulbs pushing though in the gardens; whoopee.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Gordon Shumway
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December 23, 2021 - 6:33 am
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Well, you've chopped off the probabilities there.

But I agree that sometimes, perhaps most of the time, these local probabilities are far less use than a national picture from which you can see what the trends are, first nationally, then locally.

Unfortunately the tabloids created this mess when they decided they knew better than Michael Fish. He said "There won't be a hurricane, there will be very strong winds". And the press responded, "there won't be a hurricane? There was a hurricane!" (the point being, a hurricane is a revolving tropical storm, and we didn't have one of those, although we may have had hurricane-force winds in places)

So now we have the Monte Carlo method inflicted upon us all the time.

Andrew

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Hi,

Thanks Andrew for the Monte Carlo Method; what a shame our weather forecasters are always involved in a crash.

Bron and I don't care much for this modern way of living which often is based around greed and selfishness; those living solely for money will never be truly happy. "Some people are so poor all they have is money".  We planned for our retirement from getting married and we've been careful not to go into debt apart from the mortgage and a number of cars but now we pay cash for our car and for 21 years been mortgage free.

This month I've been retired 21 years I retired at the age of 53 this due to marrying Bron who makes the most of what she has not what she'd like to have; we've virtually rebuilt our detached bungalow from the drains right up to the chimney pot the only contractor we employed was for the central heating due to gas regulations other than this we've done the lot ourselves whilst neighbours have looked on.

We're not into bragging or showing off just being content with our lives and we enjoy making or repairing things; this Christmas we've really splashed out for the first time thinking it better to spend a bit of money rather than leave it to the vultures.

Without trying to keep up with the Jone's having flash cars and foreign holidays etc we've now got an enviable very simple lifestyle in fact we live more like recluses which suits us after all people bring trouble.

We've now got on top of the bungalow and gardens after years of hard graft; now we can settle back a bit and enjoy our respective hobbies; I'm now into violins but I'm not spending a fortune; Bron's bought me this German violin knowing I'll be very happy with it never wanting to upgrade; it will do more than I'll ever be capable of so for a one off payment I've got a wonderful hobby for the rest of my life; I also have a fully kitted workshop and we share the newly converted studio which I'm rigging out for recording; we never have holiday's away from home using the money we have to better ourselves and our lifestyle; it's surprising that in full retirement we're better off than when we were working due to our planning; we're not rich money wise but ever so rich having each other which is priceless.

I don't need to make a violin but I want to make a violin and have already gathered a lot of what is needed; the weather has stopped me progressing but once it warms up I'll resume where I left off; over the years I've fully restored many scrap machines which I've then used to improve our home doing things like making furniture both free standing and fitted; not everyone would be prepared to remain home whilst neighbours and friends are jetting off but long term we're now more content than most of them; I'm not smug because what we have has been incredibly hard work so now we can enjoy the results.

We've been watching lots of YouTube videos both in America and here in the UK of the homeless now living on the street in tents and in cars; it's truly saddening to see but we wonder how many of these have lived life to the limit with smoking credit cards whilst we've planned ahead doing without so many luxuries for so many years. I hope I'm not preaching but so many have been living up to and beyond their income spending freely without a care about the future.

We live in our own little world of our own making and can say yes we're happy and content. I'll enjoy a first practice session with the German violin this afternoon shut away in the studio away from all the depressing problems of the world; in retirement we want to be left well alone and not trouble anyone; we've worked hard for what we have and now we're going to enjoy it.

Dinners ready.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Gordon Shumway
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December 23, 2021 - 8:13 am
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Actually, Wiki is too technical. I can simplify it.

The Monte Carlo Method involves calculating 50 possible outcomes for tomorrow from current conditions. If in 8 of those outcomes it is raining, they quote a 16% chance of rain. That's about it.

Andrew

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Hi,

Thanks for the information Andrew; it just confirms my guess regarding the weather is as good as the overpaid weather forecasters but I think my forecast is more accurate; I look at what it's doing outside. thumbs-up

Violin_0015.JPGImage Enlarger

My brand new deluxe violin case.

Violin_0016.JPGImage Enlarger

The German violin and carbon fibre bow. The case is a snug fit.

Violin_0017.JPGImage Enlarger

The two gauges inside the lid of the case.

Weather-forecast.JPGImage Enlarger

After just about everything being forecast for Christmas Day in the run up to Christmas no sleet; heavy rain or wind just a miserable day; good job I didn't buy a sledge.

Just New Years Eve now then at last we can return back to normal which pleases me.

I've enjoyed two violin practice sessions today.

Kind regards, Colin.

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looks a nice fiddle, in good condition, what does it sound like.

I got myself a Tascam, same as the one you bought, done a bit of recording on it already, not violin, guitars and vocals, bit of reggae just to see how it sounds. Must say the quality is excellent, took me a while finding out how to delete the recording though, and I need a decent mic as well as drum machine, and I dont think my old vox bass is up  the job either.

I like your idea about weather forecasting, I used to see if my head got wet to see if it was raining, doesnt always work though, if You wear a hat. mind you still more accurate than the telly. The other week they said we were having a mild breeze, and there were cows flying past the window, was like the wizard of oz.

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Hi,

Thanks @stringy Being virtually still a raw violin novice all I can say is the German violin sounds wonderful to me and should improve further once the newness wears off the bow and strings.

I can however compare it to the other two violins I have. The used Rainbow violin I bought for £25 and fitted a £20 set of Hidersine strings to is absolute rubbish. The brand new Hidersine Vivente my lovely wife Bron bought for me as a birthday present at first I was over the moon  with it; after about two weeks practicing trying very hard to play this Vivente it dawned on me that although I'm a novice this Vivente was about equal to the Rainbow violin; I couldn't make sense of both the D & G strings so I posted here on the forum in this blog and I'm indebted to @Gordon Shumway  Andrew who kindly chipped in suggesting Stringed Instrument Repairs in Ecclesfield so I contacted Geoff and he made an absolute top job of transforming this Vivente heap of rubbish into a very nice violin indeed and I still like to practice on it.

Now I started to progress better and when Bron asked of me what I would like for Christmas I decided rather than keep upgrading violins as I gained experience I might as well accept another violin from Bron hence I now have this German violin with carbon fibre bow and top class case; what a present; normally we don't bother much regarding Christmas because if we want anything we buy it anytime during the year but because I'm so keen to learn to play a violin Bron is more than happy to spoil me rotten.

The difference between the Rainbow and the Vivente is now absolutely amazing thanks to Geoff's kiss of life on the Vivente; when I collected the German violin I said to Geoff I wonder if there will be as big step up from the Vivente to this German violin but no there isn't; yes the German violin is a much better instrument and has top quality strings but it's now me who needs to grow into this excellent German violin; Geoff assures me the German violin is orchestral quality and I believe him but as I say I now really need to practice hard in order to fully appreciate this German violin; it is a lot different to the Vivente and I'm still getting used to playing it also I now have the much more expensive carbon fibre bow so it's now all down to me.

I've no other connection with Geoff than being a very happy customer and for all my future violin needs I'll look no further than;

https://www.stringinstrumentre.....irs.co.uk/

Thanks once again Andrew for suggesting String Instruments; it's possible I could have given up completely with violins until Geoff transformed the Vivente; as supplied brand new the Vivente was rubbish but now with a bit of experience I can suggest to any raw violin novice to buy something like the Vivente brand new then spend about £95 to have a luthier like Geoff set it up correctly; the transformation was truly amazing; I think Geoff said he'd fitted a set of strings to the Vivente these costing around £60 the set; the Hidersine strings fitted from new I think would have been better as fencing wire and I'm being polite. I've gone on at length about this because to a novice it could well mean without a violin being set up correctly then any novice could so easily lose heart and pack the lot in after all there's already so much to learn without trying to learn on a very poor violin; it worked for me and I'm as keen as ever in fact I've put the heating on in the studio and I'll shortly wander in to have a violin practice.

Good on you @stringy buying the Tascam; did you buy it brand new. You're way ahead of me with the Tascam I'm still struggling how to use it but but now I've got more time and I plan to play around with my Tascam today; I don't yet know how to delete on mine but I've got the instructions and to help anyone who is fortunate enough to buy one of these secondhand here  is the manual in PDF;

https://tascam.com/content/dow....._om_va.pdf

You and I @stringy are in total agreement regarding weather forecasters; I don't even know why we need these heavily paid weather forecasters here in Yorkshire (UK) when it's not raining it's sleeting; snowing; windy; foggy; misty; frosty or putting hail down and if we have a long two day summer then we enjoy up to 30C which then scrares the water company who impose an hosepipe ban not that hosepipes are really needed. Think I'm kidding then visit Yorkshire; I'm definitely not complaining because I'm a true Yorkshireman and love living here; because Yorkshire is so wet it's always so beautifully green and lush; we aren't bothered about all the snakes and other nasties found in warmer climates and we don't have wild animals thinking we are dinner; in spite of the weather I can highly recommend visiting Yorkshire but bring your wellies and umbrella.

I've rambled on enough so time now to get off my backside and into the studio after all the heating is turned on and our energy bills are soaring.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bus.....s-59760331

I'd better start practicing rubbing two sticks together. thumbs-up

Kind regards, Colin.

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There are plenty of people in my string orchestra playing Stentor violins, violas and cellos. Once they are set up right and the vibrato (not to mention intonation) is mastered to enrich the tone to its fullest extent, they are good enough.

Andrew

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Hi,

Thanks Andrew. I still know little regarding violins but one important thing I quickly found out is that a cheap violin if set up correctly can be better than a very expensive violin set up poorly so it doesn't always come down to how much a violin costs.

My brand new Hidersine was extremely poorly set up as it arrived and no way could I have ever played it well however much I practiced or gained experience; the transformation after Geoff the luthier set it up correctly was truly remarkable and I'm confident I can now move forward and enjoy practicing with it.

However why did I choose a much more expensive very old German violin as a present from Bron knowing the Hidersine was now so much better. It's nothing more than my own desire to own something really special to be an extravagance for want of a better term. Bron and I have been married for 45 years most of these years doing without luxuries others took for granted like holidays away from home; socializing; enjoying a booze ups; attending sports events or becoming members of a gym etc; we don't smoke or do drugs either so what do we do; we've bettered our lifestyle year on year through sheer hard graft and we've reached a stage now we can afford what we want not just what we need; I wanted a lovely violin and I don't even care if I never even master playing a tune on it; I enjoy owning and handling it as a piece of art in its own right; of course I want to learn to play it and I eventually will but it reminds me of all the hardships we've endured hence it's so very special to me and as a one off payment it's going to prove a cheap hobby for hopefully many years to come. We all spend our money as we like; I spend mine on workshop equipment Bron spends hers on her crafting hobbies; we're happy being home full time just the two of us enjoying the life we've made; we don't want to impress anyone or try to keep up we do what makes us happy and are very happy with our lives. I'm really enjoying practicing on this German violin it brings a big smile to my face. I don't feel guilty because I have it.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Hi,

I'm really enjoying practicing on the German violin; a couple of days ago whilst still practicing using the bow and all four fingers I started to notice something different; on the E string I thought it was strange that with one finger it was sharp but another finger pretty flat and this was very pronounced compared to my other two violins.

The strings are Obligato; as I bowed and used my fingers I expected the notes to be in a linear scale such as going from low to high but I had high; low; high; low etc; please don't forget I'm still very much a novice but suddenly something jumped out at me; I started to practice taking note of where my fingers were being placed but by just moving each finger slightly the note changed a great deal.

When I first started I printed off Fiddlerman's fingering chart but at the time I hadn't a clue what it was about so just carried on with bow practice. I pulled out the fingering chart again and I was amazed because suddenly it made sense to me and with a bit more practice I could find the different notes; I practiced more yesterday and am now getting the hang of the basics.

I think I'm now ready to move on a bit because I'm a lot more confident with bowing; I can't play a tune yet but I can play a police siren. Bron was on the patio and thought a police car was travelling along the valley bottom as happens quite often. A bit of fun but it all builds confidence.

I'm taking it very slowly indeed but enjoying myself without trying to run before I can walk; I'm not in a hurry but now with such a lovely violin I look forward to each practice session; I'm now practicing twice daily for half hour or so each time; when my left arm starts to ache I knock off but now I can practice longer possibly because my fingers; hand and arm are becoming accustomed to the strange new positions; when I first started to play a violin after five minutes my arm not only ached but hurt.

I'm just going through what all violin novices go through but I'm picking it up slowly without a violin teacher; there are Covid hot spots all around us so apart from necessary supermarket shopping we go out very little indeed; I've just taken Bron for a 20 mile run in the countryside just the two of us then fuelled the car as we returned home; it's 15C (59F) which is the highest on record for this time of year so global warming has finally reached Yorkshire; I've seen it only reach 10C some days in mid summer; I like heat.

I feel like a kid with a new toy and it feels nice; now for a violin practice before dinner.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Retired said
police siren...A bit of fun but it all builds confidence. 

Exactly!

-------------------------------

I have absolutely no idea what's going on with your E string. (since you are an engineer I am going to assume you have a full understanding of resonant lengths and frequencies and so on)

The only thing I can think of is, is it staying in tune, in other words, is the peg slipping? Failing that, if you bow too heavily occasionally, and too close to the fingerboard, you may be stretching the string (i.e. making it play flat - this happens more with steel strings).

As a beginner you should try to bow half way between the fingerboard and the bridge.

I recommend this book.

Andrew

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Hi,

Thanks Andrew. Sorry if I've confused you or anyone else with my explanation. All four strings are in tune so no problem there; it's my inexperience of violin terms and it's likely my saying the string sounds flat is totally wrong; I'm much improved with bowing and can bow straight so again no problem.

I watched a violin playing instructional video yesterday which could explain better than I can but I'm unable to find the video now. In the video regardless of which finger was used it stated just moving a finger by 1mm can make a great deal of difference to tone and it's this I noticed; I can play with each finger producing a different note but by moving my finger just a bit it seems to hit a sweet spot where it suddenly becomes louder; playing with my fourth finger for instance if I place my finger on the E string just where it reaches the violin body I can find a very loud spot; as I say I find it difficult to explain and I know there's nothing wrong with the violin at all; as I gain experience I notice more.

Violin-chart.JPG

I don't know if this picture helps but it doe's show high & low; because the E string is easiest to play I'm practicing more on this just to get used to the different notes. I might be digging a big hole for myself but it's the way I learn by asking questions however trivial they may be; if in doubt I ask and in high profile meetings at work I was often the one to ask a question others daren't ask; it's said in such meetings better to remain quiet and let people think you are a fool than to speak and prove you are a fool. I was in such a meeting where the CEO (Ian) was addressing us and after a while Ian stated talk to me and stop nodding your heads; this continued a while longer everyone appeared to be scared stiff of speaking so in a clear voice I said "I'll speak to you Ian" the room erupted in loud laughter but why are so many too scared to ask a simple question? I started with the comany as a wagon loader and 24 years later when I retired I was in charge of three departments; because I worked so hard and Bron and I saved I retired at the age of 53 this 21 years ago in 2000.

When I start something I see it through and one way or another I'm going to make all the mistakes but I will eventually play a tune on my violins.

Thanks Andrew for the book link which I'll have a look at. Thanks also for your continuing support and suggestions; I really do appreciate it.

Kind regards, Colin.

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It’s excellent that you can hear the slight difference in tone, what you are hearing, hopefully is the ringing note. These notes g,a,d,e,, and to a lesser extent b are how you find your way round the finger board, we use them as reference points. The deviation on the note can be less than 1 millimetre in actual fact, in sound terms they are measured in what we call cents. When you finally can play, and You are in tune you will hit the note exact every time, or try to, this is intonation and is what all violinists strive to perfect, it’s not easy, constant repetition of scales and arpeggios are needed, along with hearing the note in your head before you play it. You are now on your way, you can hear the difference, hen the note actually rings it’s unmistakeable, but your ears need to be trained which happens the more that you listen, and the more that you practice.

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Hi,

Many thanks @stringy for your excellent explanation which I can understand; I certainly do get a ringing in my ears which can make my head buzz. I've just enjoyed half an hours violin practice and in order to find these ringing notes I've shifted my fingers a bit on the finger board until I found them then kept trying to hit them but I need lots of practice although I'm delighted to have reached this stage.

These Obligato strings make a huge difference and they really sing; this German violin is such a delight and with Geoff setting it up professionally I can't help but have a big smile on my face. The weather is dire so I think I'll enjoy another two practice sessions today; it's incredibly warm at 15C for the time of year which is very rare indeed I think it's the highest on record but it's dark and gloomy although I'm not complaining it's much better than snow and ice which will join us over the next couple of months.

My dream for 2022 is to make a violin from scratch; I already have the wood from Poland but the next two months will be too grim to do much in the workshop as the temperature plummets and the energy bills go ballistic; what better excuse do I need to get lots of violin practice in our new heated studio. I'm expecting a Yamaha electronic keyboard to arrive and when it does I hope my lovely wife Bron will take to playing with it then we can have fun in the studio; I too am interested in the keyboard but I need to concentrate on violin practice; so many interesting things to do and so little time even in retirement; the days used to fly by but now years fly by at an alarming pace. I do have a major problem though once the weather improves; our detached bungalow and gardens demand maintenance keeping me busy; in order to lessen my workload over the years I've kept attacking our gardens felling huge 80' tall trees plus a number of lower trees and removing four big hedges also lowing our many cherry laurels these now mostly down to about 42" tall but during the growing season I seem to be out every week trimming these because they grow so rapidly; then comes weeding and grass cutting also the wildflower meadow I created needs work at the end of the season; these are just an example of demands on my time but now aged 74 all the work keeps me fit and active so I ignore my aching bones. Life's good.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Hi,

I started the new year with leaf blowing using our cordless Makita leaf blower so now having got the patio and pathways clear it was time to wander into the studio for a violin practice.

Ever since Bron generously bought me these violins I've been doing lots of bow practice until now when I feel a lot more confident; no more scratching or skidding etc. Time now to get serious and start playing tunes so as planned this morning I started to play Twinkle twinkle little star which I'm sure many novices like me have started with.

I enjoyed two sessions this morning and a third session just now playing Twinkle over and over at different speeds; I'm over the moon being able to play my first proper tune; I found it difficult at first being all fingers but then it all came together which is one of those unforgettable moments. It's so easy to watch others play on YouTube but very difficult for a novice; practice as they say makes perfect and I can now wander into the studio and knock out Twinkle from memory it being now easy. My ambition is to play Lara's theme but I'm on my way and looking forward to lots more practice sessions.

Happy New Year.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Well done on your first tune, twinkle is indeed the one most people start with, but anything that doesnt have too many notes and is already stuck in everyones memory is good. Slow is best, dont make the mistake now of trying to learn lots of tunes, try to get this one in tune and perfect first.

Could have used you here yesterday, I bought a new bedroom door, what should have taken half an hour to hang took over two, and I still havent done it. Only realised the door was miles out of square, because of the age of the house and probably movement in the distant past, once I had hung the door, this created a few small problems, lol

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So glad you are so encouraged and doing so wonderfully with your violin. Sounds like you have had a great start to 2022. Have continued success with your violin in 2022. 

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Hi,

Many thanks @stringy I'm definitely taking your advice and won't move on until I can play Twinkle all the way through without having to think about it; I can play twinkle but not yet with full confidence; sometimes I can hit decent notes on the A string but quite often the notes appear much too flat so as usual it just comes down to practice and lots of it; I've just enjoyed a practice but I've got a problem to sort out. My shoulder rest is driving me mad; it's a Wolfe and after Geoff kindly adjusted it for me I'm now back to the violin scroll heading south; the weather is poor otherwise I'd head into the workshop and make a shoulder rest with a hook to fit over my shoulder; I've got lots of sheet aluminium but I'll have a look online this morning to see if I can find anything to suit me; I feel like knocking a nail in to prevent it sliding?

Good luck with your wayward door; doors can be a real pain to fit and often they are fitted too closely so when the wood expands the door sticks and jams; when we moved here 34 years ago the former owner must have been in a bad mood with the back door sticking so he broke the door; this was the first job I did here making a new door; we also had an up and over garage door which I had to fully open to gain access into the garage; years ago I made a pair of wooden glazed side hung doors so now I can pop in and out easily.

Bungalow-exterior-makeover-August-2016-6.JPGImage Enlarger

Here's the back door I made 34 years ago still like brand new; wooden doors will last for many years if properly looked after; on exterior doors I pay particular attention to completely sealing the bottom and top edges with lots of good quality paint. I've made many doors over the years finding the work interesting.

Thank you @Mouse for your kind words and encouragement; much appreciated. I've now reached the point where violin's are really getting interesting having roughly played my first tune; I'm pleased I've spent so much time getting used to the bow though rather than trying to rush ahead only to end up disappointed; I'm taking it slowly and enjoying the learning curve; my left arm is burning a bit so I'd better sort out a decent shoulder rest or do without shoulder rest altogether; the best part is I'm progressing nicely and enjoying myself.

Kind regards, Colin.

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I have a few shoulder rests, in fact I have the type of rest you mention, they are called bon musicas, they work quite well, but I stopped using it as they stop all movement of the violin, I now use a wolf forte secondo. i have struggled with getting a comfortable fitting shoulder rest ever since I started, but now it is easier, mainly I think because of relaxation while playing, which is extremely hard, for me anyway, though I have heard many other people have the same problem. My ne k and back used to ache, as well as arm pain,but now that Iam finally starting to loosen up when playing these problems are going away, I can actually lift my head offthe shoulder rest now when I play and quite often do which I thought would have been impossible without the violin causing an expensive mess on the floor. 

Tension is also the enemy of good sound, on fiddle it directly effects the sound you get from the instrument, trying to relax however is a thing that I think comes with time.

That door looks excellent, must say, you could have made a living making doors, that looks a great job, in saying that ,its no surprise after seeing some of your other work, very meticulous .

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January 2, 2022 - 10:05 am
Member Since: September 27, 2021
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Hi,

Thanks @stringy Yes I do suffer from tension whilst playing but I am starting to relax a bit no longer strangling the violin with a death grip. I have the same Wolfe shouilder rest you have and I'm forever trying to get it adjusted; sometimes it's pretty near but then the violin decides it wants to swing again; I've just been practicing with and without shoulder rest but both give me problems and it's all down to me still having so much to learn; I'm also having problems using my finger tips on the strings even though I get my elbow well under but I keep trying; it's all so unnatural but I'll get there with lots more practice; three practice sessions already today and a fourth later; I'm keen to learn.

I'm becoming increasingly aware that learning to read music will be a huge help and also to learn positions on the finger board; it's starting to drop into place little by little.

Thank you for your compliments regarding my work. I was bottom at woodworking at school detesting the subject but now I love all aspects of woodworking and over the years have saved a great deal of money just buying raw materials with my labour being free apart from time.You encourage me a great deal @stringy with violin information; can I return the encouragement and get you into woodworking if you don't already do it?

Bungalow-exterior-makeover-August-2016-8-Copy.JPGImage Enlarger

Here's how to save a fortune; heavy gauge metal from the local scrap yard it being very rusty but cheap just bought by weight.

Bungalow-exterior-makeover-August-2016-45-Copy.JPGImage Enlarger

This heavy metal now erected plus new metal just welded for railings still needing paint. These are the garage doors I made years ago; note the mug of tea which is a must. This kind of work is extremely easy for me but playing a violin isn't.

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The railings completed also I made and installed the entire porch; yet another door I made.

All this work is directly related to my hobbies because during our rare warmer weather I concentrate on these outside jobs meaning little time to do as I like then there are the gardens and interior jobs also to look after; now as usual in winter I'm trying to enjoy a new hobby this time violins but the weather is causing me lots of frustration; I want to make a violin but my machines are down in the workshop so I run the risk of many soakings through rain or even snow which is very unpleasant indeed; it's just been bucketing down with rain hence I'm indoors at the keyboard but it does allow me to do quite a bit of violin practice.

I'm a mechanical engineer but apart from wasted woodworking lessons at school I've picked up woodworking skills over many years on trial and error making many mistakes.

Kind regards, Colin.

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