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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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JohnG
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July 3, 2022 - 9:44 pm
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Got in another half hour today, playing varied and sundry tunes on my viola. I still like it better! lol

The old curmudgeon!

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Mouse
July 3, 2022 - 10:06 pm
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The sound you get from a viola is so completely different from a violin. Once you are hooked, you are hooked, But, what I saw in you Traveler videos, you are just as at home on the violin. That is sweet. 

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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July 5, 2022 - 11:42 pm
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@Mouse - The more I play the violin, the more I love my viola! Thank you for the kind words, I'm just glad that I could put something together that I didn't feel ashamed to share.

We now have a projected date of this coming Friday for my wife to be released from the rehab facility. Will probably still need out-patient therapy. I meet with her three therapists tomorrow to ascertain just what their recommendations are and how they feel she is progressing. Right upper arm is still not controllable, but forearm is okay.

Got in a half hour practice on the violin last night, playing (or at least attempting) The Ash Grove, Down by the Sally Gardens, Oh Shenandoah, Scarborough Fair, The Blackest Crow, Slan Le Maigh, and Breton Gavotte.

Tonight was also a half hour on the violin, playing The Ash Grove, Down by the Sally Gardens, Oh Shenandoah, Scarborough Fair, and Star of the County Down V1.

Plus played the viola for half an hour, playing Star of the County Down VA1, Star of the County Down VA2, Dark Island, Summer Wind, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Man of Constant Sorrow, House of the Rising Sun, and Simple Gifts.

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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July 7, 2022 - 9:17 pm
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A very good evening with half an hour on the violin using my Kun viola shoulder rest modified by turning one of the brackets around so it would fit, playing Gypsy Rover and Star of the County Down V1. This was then followed up with 20 minutes on the viola, playing Star of the County Down V1 and V2. All in all, an enjoyable musical interlude!

Here is a picture of how the shoulder rest bracket was turned around (the one on the right).

IMG_20220707_134456086-no-background.jpgImage Enlarger

The old curmudgeon!

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ELCBK
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July 8, 2022 - 5:06 am
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Great you got the Kun to work!  I was about ready to dig out something to send to you, if you were still having trouble without a rest.

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JohnG
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July 8, 2022 - 1:53 pm
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@ELCBK - I'm glad you didn't. I'd have worked something out. I actually used a piece of foam (model railroad track support) which worked fairly well, but then when I got the flash of inspiration about the Kun, everything worked great. I appreciate your thoughts, though!

Now the best news of the day. MY WIFE IS HOME!!!!! She got released this morning although she will continue to need outpatient therapy for her arm and speech/cognitive issues. Plus they are helping her aphasia which she has been experiencing for some time, though it has not been a major issue.

The old curmudgeon!

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ELCBK
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July 8, 2022 - 2:43 pm
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YAY!!!

OUTSTANDING NEWS - Time for a Homecoming Parade!!! 

 

Have a GREAT WEEKEND! 

- Emily

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Mark
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July 9, 2022 - 7:47 pm
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Fantastic!

Well continue to remember you two in prayer.

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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JohnG
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July 9, 2022 - 9:03 pm
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@ELCBK and @Mark - Thank you, we are coping pretty well and her memory problems and right arm continue to worry us, but all in all, she's doing okay. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

The old curmudgeon!

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SharonC
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July 10, 2022 - 2:56 pm
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@JohnG  I'm glad to hear that she is home! smile

Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.

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JohnG
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July 10, 2022 - 10:57 pm
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@SharonC - Thanks, as are we!

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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July 11, 2022 - 11:44 pm
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Only half an hour tonight, but had to try recording another tune to show that I'm not ignoring my chance to learn and play this instrument.

Although posted here in my blog, please put any comments about this video in the The Traveler thread where this is also posted.

I deliberately changed the usual viewpoint to do this video to better show The Traveler.

The old curmudgeon!

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Mouse
July 12, 2022 - 6:35 am
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JohnG, I did comment in the Traveler's topic, but I wanted to comment here, also, to give you blog feedback.

 You sound great. That was such a pretty piece. I cannot believe this is the first time with a violin (3rd video, but first in possession overall), even though, you do play viola. The sizes and weights are different, fingering spacing is different, and you picked right up on it. Bravo!

🐭

Edited to correct typos and add a few words. Words added are in italics.

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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July 12, 2022 - 3:46 pm
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@Mouse - Thank you for the high praise. I really appreciate it. As far as having a violin lurking around here earlier, no way. First time I handled a violin, it was The Traveler, 10 days ago.

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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July 14, 2022 - 10:34 pm
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After 3 days of not practicing anything, I spent 45 minutes tonight playing for fun! Played through Wild Mountain Thyme, Dark Island, Down by the Sally Gardens, Star of the County Downs VLA1 and VLA2, Summer Wind, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Man of Constant Sorrow, House of the Rising Sun, The Gypsy Rover, The Ash Grove VLA1, Breton Gavotte, Spring, Ashokan Farewell, and Simple Gifts.

Not really learning anything but enjoying the playing and the sweet sound of my viola.

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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July 15, 2022 - 10:36 pm
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An hour tonight on the violin! Felt good. Played Violin - The Gypsy Rover, Wild Mountain Thyme, The Ash Grove V1, Down by the Sally Gardens, Oh Shenandoah, Scarborough Fair and Simple Gifts. I think I may even be hearing the intonation better these days (one can hope).

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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July 16, 2022 - 1:42 pm
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Another viola day for 40 minutes this time. Played Wild Mountain Thyme, Dark Island, Down by the Sally Gardens, Star of the County Downs VLA1 and VLA2, Summer Wind, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Man of Constant Sorrow, House of the Rising Sun, The Gypsy Rover, The Ash Grove VLA1 and VLA2, Breton Gavotte, Ashokan Farewell, and Simple Gifts.

I seem to be able to pay more attention to dynamics since I may be hearing the intonation better.

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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July 16, 2022 - 4:56 pm
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A very good day! Also spent 40 minutes on the violin playing The Gypsy Rover, Wild Mountain Thyme, The Ash Grove V1, Down by the Sally Gardens, Oh Shenandoah, Scarborough Fair, Star of the County Downs V1, and Simple Gifts.

I'm hoping to get three entries into @SharonC's latest group party, Star of the County Downs playing V1, VA1, and VA2! The viola parts seem to be coming along okay at this stage, but need a lot of work on the violin V1 part.

The old curmudgeon!

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ELCBK
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July 16, 2022 - 7:42 pm
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@JohnG said:

I think I may even be hearing the intonation better these days (one can hope). 

 

🤔... I say that to myself at least once a month. (lol) 

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JohnG
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July 17, 2022 - 6:43 pm
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Another half hour today on the violin playing The Gypsy Rover and Down by the Sally Gardens. I'm including the video of The Gypsy Rover here to keep my blog complete, but it has also been posted on The Traveler thread where comments (if any) should be posted.

The old curmudgeon!

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