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The Old Guy Re-Entering the String World
A personal view of the start of a journey into music and the viola.
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (393 votes) 
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Mouse
June 25, 2021 - 8:06 am
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That makes absolute sense, JohnG. I think it is great you do that to spend time with your wife. I hope you didn't mind my asking. I bet you do use the backing track created that way. I never thought of it as helping you meet your skill goals, and that makes complete sense, too. Like playing tennis with someone above your skill level.

Thank you. All very good points. My puzzle was solved.

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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Irv
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June 25, 2021 - 8:16 am
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Back in the day when I had a radio program, I remember playing “violin phase” by Steve Reich.  As I remember, the backbone was a simple musical phrase similar to “Mary had a little lamb.”  Well within your current musical vocabulary.  Making something like that would certainly give you some practice in using multiple tracks.

Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.

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JohnG
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June 25, 2021 - 11:49 am
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@Mouse - Glad I could clarify that for you!

@Irv - Sound advice (pun intended)! Actually, I may experiment with Dawning of the Day since I already have both MP3 and Midi versions. And who knows, may actually be able to use it in the future! That said, I can see where using a single phrase with the tools available to create rounds, or complex, multi-tonal constructs, or varying rhythms to create different genres could be of immense help in truly learning DAW capabilities!

The old curmudgeon!

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Fiddlerman
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June 25, 2021 - 2:29 pm
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JohnG said
Got my Author badge today for the article I wrote for the "Member's Articles". It not only tells how I came to be here, but also to encourage other "older folks" who are contemplating or starting to learn fretless string instruments. It is titled Re-Entering the World of Strings (and Music) After a Long Hiatus

Interesting article John. Thanks for taking the time to write it and we're happy that you are here. Glad you get socializing points with your wife at the same time. ROFL!!!

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

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Mouse
June 25, 2021 - 2:35 pm
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Should his wife get a badge!

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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Irv
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June 25, 2021 - 2:37 pm
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I am wondering if you partake in giving yourself a weekly lesson utilising a method book.  I used the Muller Rusch series.  I tried to do a page a week.  Some weeks were harder than others.  It forces you to expand areas of technique such as string plucking and simultaneously playing two strings at a time.  Playing the upper area of the finger board did not occur until the third book.  

Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.

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Fiddlerman
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June 25, 2021 - 2:51 pm
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Mouse said
Should his wife get a badge!

I think you got something there Cynth. LOL

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

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Mouse
June 25, 2021 - 2:59 pm
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A spouse badge. JohnG, tell your wife she deserves a spouse badge, but let her know there is no such thing! A flower will do, or a smile sent her way.

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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JohnG
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June 25, 2021 - 4:01 pm
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To all, I read my wife my original comments and your replies and she agrees she deserves a spouse badge, but was willing to settle for a smile! As today is her birthday, that and the new Kindle Fire that is being delivered today made her happy! (Miracles of modern technology!)

The old curmudgeon!

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Mouse
June 25, 2021 - 4:37 pm
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Aw. Happy Birthday, Mrs. G!

birthday-cake

1st-place

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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ELCBK
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June 25, 2021 - 5:00 pm
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I got a couple Fire Tablets for the Grandkids - they love'm. 

giphy.gif

Have a GREAT one, Mrs. S!  

June B-Days are the best!  

- Emily

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JohnG
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June 25, 2021 - 5:25 pm
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Mrs. S says thank you all, very much (the G is for my middle name! lol).

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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June 26, 2021 - 2:26 pm
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Missed practicing yesterday to spend time with my wife on her birthday. Only half hour today, since we're going to a great-niece's graduation party.

Still got in a little time on Dawning of the Day, Song from a Secret Garden, Amazing Grace, Sound of Silence, and Ashokan Farewell.

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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June 27, 2021 - 1:15 pm
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Need some help! I'm looking for some specific mood tune(s) and I can't think of a genre to search for.

Imagine that time at dusk, just before nightfall and you're standing on a shore of quiet, isolated lake with a gentle breeze while looking toward the fading light of day. The stars shine brightly overhead and a light mist is beginning to form above the water. Now you want to play a quiet, meaningful tune to reflect your surroundings and the peace that you feel.

Some tunes I've found that are close to what I want, but just don't feel right:

I Will Find You (Last of the Mohicans)
May It Be (The Lord of the Rings)
I Could Never Say Goodbye (Enya)
The Wolf Song - Nordic Lullaby - Vargsången
Lullaby of Woe (The Witcher) ~ Ashley Serena
Misty Mountains (The Lord of the Rings)

The old curmudgeon!

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ELCBK
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June 27, 2021 - 2:21 pm
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@JohnG -

I have to believe something from this thread would work! 

Almost everything here seems good for twilight.

Relaxing to Celtic Music Thread

Like, Paddys Rambles Through the Park?   Only I'm not so sure thesession.org has it correct, because it's not a waltz & there's more to Dezi's version.  But, the 2nd, 4th or 5th version there might work for you.

Maybe time to use all that software?  If you beat me to it, I'd love to know - won't have undivided attention to play with PreSonus for a few more weeks.

Just Being Contented Smiley

- Emily

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stringy
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June 27, 2021 - 2:27 pm
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Slan la maigh, its about water, and love lost its a slow beautiful old Irish tune

and with words

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ABitRusty
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June 27, 2021 - 4:05 pm
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JohnG said
Need some help! I'm looking for some specific mood tune(s) and I can't think of a genre to search for.

Imagine that time at dusk, just before nightfall and you're standing on a shore of quiet, isolated lake with a gentle breeze while looking toward the fading light of day. The stars shine brightly overhead and a light mist is beginning to form above the water. Now you want to play a quiet, meaningful tune to reflect your surroundings and the peace that you feel.

Some tunes I've found that are close to what I want, but just don't feel right:

I Will Find You (Last of the Mohicans)

May It Be (The Lord of the Rings)

I Could Never Say Goodbye (Enya)

The Wolf Song - Nordic Lullaby - Vargsången

Lullaby of Woe (The Witcher) ~ Ashley Serena

Misty Mountains (The Lord of the Rings)

  

@JohnG ill post this here since you asked...

I think the first tune in this set fits that description when played like he does which brings up a great point.. inveatigatr tunes you normally hear faster and see if playing slower fits.

 

here is the sheet music

https://thesession.org/tunes/2.....print=true

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Grandpafiddle
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June 27, 2021 - 4:21 pm
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John,

From your description, this is exactly what you're looking for. It's even performed on the viola!

Grandpaviolin

Violin ---- the most human of all instruments

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JohnG
Greater Chicagoland
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June 27, 2021 - 6:20 pm
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Great replies all, thanks.

@ELCBK - Lots of good ones there and especially liked these and the ones with a +, even more:

Milking Croon
+Down by the Salley Gardens
Fáinne Geal an Lae (Daybreak)
+Tha Mi Sgìth (I am Weary)
Ancestors 
+Anam Chara (Soul Friend)
+Misty Mountain
AMOR CON CHORDES - MAY MORNING DEW - TRADITIONAL CELTIC MUSIC

@stringy - Loved this:

+John And Anna play 'Slán le Maigh' in Galway

@ABitRusty - A little lighter than I was looking for but could see it in that setting:

+The Golden Castle/Billy Malley's Schottishe

@Grandpafiddle - I like this tune and rendition, but not necessarily in the setting proposed. Guess I'm looking for more deep mood and reflection. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

-Andy Williams - STRANGER ON THE SHORE (Flamingo Kid) - Violin Viola Cover

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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June 27, 2021 - 6:25 pm
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An hour of practice in today, playing Dawning of the Day, Song from a Secret Garden, Amazing Grace, Sound of Silence, Ashokan Farewell, Scales, and Improv. Tried a few things with bow based on Pierre's video and adjusting left arm per suggestion given earlier to improve stretching with 4th finger. Good times!

A couple of phrases in Ashokan Farewell are giving me trouble, so I'm going to dissect them and work on just those.

Edited: Added another 20 minutes just to work on Ashokan Farewell some more!

The old curmudgeon!

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