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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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November 17, 2022 - 10:23 pm
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Same as last night but trying to get the bowing so I upbow when Pierre says it should happen! Not working well at all. I get so wrapped up with bow direction that I either lose tempo or my place in the music! Got better by the time I finally quit, but still not where I want to be.

The old curmudgeon!

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Mouse
November 17, 2022 - 10:52 pm
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Have you tried the tutorial videos posted by SharonC the other day and watched that bowing? Keep in mind Gibbles said to do the bowing as well as you can.

I was pleased those long cello bowings were not required. I just need to be able to bow as long as needed, period. Shoulder is sore and it doesn't last long enough to get to the end. Plus, I have issues with the C string used on the cello. I am still not positive that I will get there. The links to the tutorial videos might help you, if you haven't noticed them yet.

🐭

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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November 17, 2022 - 11:20 pm
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Thanks @Mouse, I had not tried using Gibbles tutorials, but after just watching it, I will definitely be using it starting tomorrow.

The old curmudgeon!

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Fiddlerman
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November 18, 2022 - 2:58 pm
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JohnG said
After another length lapse in practice, I got in TWO sessions today. The first for 40 minutes playing Wexford Carol for most of the time and then Amazing Grace and Improv. The second session for 30 minutes playing Wexford Carol mostly and also Dark Island, Wild Mountain Thyme, and The Wellerman. I'm now able to play through Wexford without the sheet music, for the most part. I should be able to record it in a few days and see if it is acceptable by @Fiddlerman.

I'm sure that it will be John. Thanks

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

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JohnG
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November 19, 2022 - 11:48 pm
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@Fiddlerman - Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Missed practice last night as we went out to dinner after a doctor's appointment and didn't feel like playing after a relatively late night.

Tonight was a 40 minute session, all on Wexford Carol going over Gibbles tutorial to get his bowing pattern transcribed onto the sheet music and then playing with that notation. Makes sense now that I actually see and hear how he plays it. Overall, a really productive session!

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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November 21, 2022 - 8:06 pm
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Got my order from Fiddlershop today!

IMG_20221121_180112920.jpgImage Enlarger

Managed to over rosin the bow but I'm sure it will wear down by Christmas! lol 😂 I do like, especially as it's not a plain black, but brown. Love the t-shirt and look forward to using the peg compound.

Forty minutes tonight only on Wexford Carol, trying to get Gibble's bowing sequence correct. Getting close!

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The old curmudgeon!

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ELCBK
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November 21, 2022 - 9:29 pm
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JohnG said
@elcbk - Yes, it's a viola bow and I find that I often use the entire length and I'm big enough that I don't find it too large.

  

There was no difference in length between my Violin bows and all the Viola bows I tried, just weight. 

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e0/cf/ae/e0cfae51b2d0fcf81e75a6eb5f758052.jpg

I like the brown weave, too. 

Enjoy your new bow!

I got small tees for some of the Grandkids - guess they won't be advertising for Fiddlershop, since they're worn as nightshirts... the Kids have a little growing to do.

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JohnG
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November 21, 2022 - 9:51 pm
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@ELCBK - I don't ever buy branded t-shirts (until now). I really appreciate this forum, @Fiddlerman, and Fiddlershop, so I've made an exception this time. I had thought the viola bows were slightly longer, guess not. 

I practiced another 20 minutes tonight, just 'cause I felt like it! Played Dark Island, Wild Mountain Thyme, The Wellerman, and finished off with some Amazing Grace.

The old curmudgeon!

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ELCBK
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November 21, 2022 - 10:00 pm
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I got the tees for the Kids kinda as a subliminal gesture - can't surround them with enough fiddle-talk & music! 😄  Would be better if they were grown up enough to wear as shirts - then, when out & about... people will ask them if they play the fiddle.  

Yeah, I'm trying to convert the whole family.

Sneaky, aren't I?

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JohnG
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November 23, 2022 - 9:24 pm
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@ELCBK - Sneaky is good when instilling love of playing instruments in kids and grandkids is involved.

Only 30 minutes tonight practicing Wexford Carol as I try to get intonation, bow strokes, and tempo all put together.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving with son's family and his in-laws. Probably no actual practice, but taking the viola with, in hopes of some duets.

Hope everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving has a wonderful holiday!

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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November 24, 2022 - 11:25 pm
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Was hoping for some duets with son at our Thanksgiving family party, but he overindulged and couldn't get up energy to play. I did get 30 minutes in playing a bunch of miscellaneous tunes, plus a run through or two of Wexford Carol.

However, there are encouraging hopes for future duets or more as 3 of his sons have discovered that playing the piano that we gave them many years ago is fun, plus our daughter-in-law has also rekindled her interest. The piano was originally purchased by my wife's folks about 50 years ago!

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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November 26, 2022 - 4:52 pm
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Forty-five minutes today, mostly Wexford Carol plus a little Amazing Grace and Improv. Wexford seems to be finally getting very close to recording. Intonation is up to 50-65% accurate and only 10% bad according to the TonalEnergy tuner. Nowhere near optimum, but good for this beginner. Bow strokes are near to Gibble's demonstration.

Here is how I've marked up my music to get the bow strokes as needed. Laugh if you want, but it has definitely helped me.

IMG_20221126_1530305342-1.jpgImage Enlarger

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ELCBK
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November 26, 2022 - 8:00 pm
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@JohnG -

You've still got plenty of time to get a recording in - if you were playing seated in an orchestra, then bowing would be more important. 

You'll be wonderful!

Glad to hear you had a good Thanksgiving!  

 

We had a pretty full crazy house here - it was GREAT!  I had stuff for the Kids to do, then they were in & out the rest of the afternoon/evening, playing games with me.  They each wanted time to try some 'pizzicato' on Edgar and use my bow for a little 'tremolo'. (lol)  Had to remind them not to put fingers on the bow hair, but they had fun.  First time our Daughter & Son-in-law prepared all the food here, so I got to play background music while they were busy & the Kids occupied. 

 

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CK1QDv3g_08/TfaSTt9_eZI/AAAAAAAAAGY/Hsuf4O2gKqI/s1600/violin_4.jpg

- Emily

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JohnG
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November 26, 2022 - 8:49 pm
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@ELCBK - Sounds like you had the best kind of Thanksgiving, playing music, enjoying grandkids, surrounded by loving family, and not having to cook!

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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November 29, 2022 - 10:45 pm
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I keep miss practicing. Latest time off for a bronchoscopy yesterday. The constricted bronchial tube is now totally shut down and they couldn't re-open it. Middle lobe of right lung is not functional and further tests or procedures are probably coming up. They also found a patch of necrosis in another bronchial tube which is apparently the reason for my month and a half cough.

However, I got 40 minutes in tonight playing Wexford Carol, Coventry Carol, The Holly and the Ivy, I Saw Three Ships, Greensleeves, Oh Come, O Come Emmanuel, and What Child is This?

I am bound and determined to get Wexford Carol recorded by the weekend, just in time for the deadline.

The old curmudgeon!

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ELCBK
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November 29, 2022 - 11:24 pm
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https://i.pinimg.com/736x/79/39/31/793931f0ba466d07aed57b891ddb59ea--big-hugs-peanuts.jpg@JohnG -

What the heck?  We all must not be sending you enough positive energy! 

It's good to know the Doctors are staying on top of this, but it's terrible they couldn't fix anything during that procedure - very scary.  

You are way ahead of me on Christmas Carols this year - I've only started playing the Wexford Carol. 

- Emily

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JohnG
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November 30, 2022 - 10:33 pm
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@ELCBK - Thanks! It is what it is! 

Forty minutes tonight playing the same as last night, Wexford Carol, Coventry Carol, The Holly and the Ivy, I Saw Three Ships, Greensleeves, Oh Come, O Come Emmanuel, and What Child is This?.

Getting closer on Wexford, what can I say?

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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December 1, 2022 - 4:14 pm
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Fifty minutes today playing the same Wexford Carol, Coventry Carol, The Holly and the Ivy, I Saw Three Ships, Greensleeves, Oh Come, O Come Emmanuel, and What Child is This? Also spent a little time on improv just 'cause it felt right.

Hopefully I'll be motivated enough to practice some more on Wexford Carol tonight. Time is running out!

The old curmudgeon!

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JohnG
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December 1, 2022 - 7:40 pm
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Another half hour tonight on Wexford Carol only. Gotta get this right!!!

The old curmudgeon!

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Mouse
December 1, 2022 - 8:07 pm
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You will get it, @JohnG .

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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