Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Private messaging is working again.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Regulars
Offline
Aloha everyone,
Originally from Tampa, I find myself here in Hawaii, still, 10 years on from retiring from the Navy. I have a good job, a house, and a wonderful wife, three very good reasons to still be here 
Originally trained as a pianist, I took about 30 years off to do the Navy thing and to finally get the room and resources to get a keyboard/workstation. My how things changed since the last time I actually took a look at all of the keyboard offerings. Having a keyboard in the house actually whetted another desire in me, one that started very early in life, that of learning to play the violin.
I still don't have one (yet), but am in the information gathering stage that will, hopefully, lead to successful discussions with my wife towards purchasing a violin. I am over 50 and have never even touched a violin, so I will have to convince her that I can actually learn to play adequately, but I would like to think I have both the desire and commitment to see this through. When I get my violin, I will post pics for proof
Offline
Welcome to the forum.
I am so excited for you. A bit Jealous that you get to live in Hawaii. 
I started at 46.. never played a note. It has been awesome. I look forward to hearing more and sharing your journey.
Aloha,
Toni
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
Regulars
Offline
Welcome to the forum William! I am sure you'll find lots of friendly and helpful people here, I know I have since I've joined.
That's great to hear that you are going to pick up the violin, it's a wonderful instrument. And your previous experience with the piano will probably make it easier with intonation etc.
Good luck! Looking forward to hearing how you go.
Kiara
Offline
Welcome iBud,
Apparently, Hawaii is a tough climate for some fiddles. I can't see how it can be worse than Florida but I've heard that the humidity is crazy high.
I'm happy that you are exploring the opportunity to pursue learn to play the violin. I'm finding that the secret to success is, "Do It Now!!!".
Keep us posted!
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
Offline
Aloha Fiddlerman,
I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for your website. It is a literal treasure trove of information. I will be self-taught, but the musical knowledge gained from my piano background and your videos, exercises, and sheet music I think I'll be OK. I also plan on watching lots of professional violinists on YouTube to get a grip on their style. You have an amazing website. Thank you for all of the content. I haven't even started to play a violin and already I've gained a ton of knowledge. Hopefully this will translate into me not sounding like I'm stringing up the cats in the neighborhood
I also enjoyed your associated store. I will most likely be purchasing a violin at a local store, CK Violin, as I can avoid the rather hefty shipping charge that way They also have a luther, so I can be assured that my violin will be set up perfectly, just as a Fiddlerman version, before I take it home with me. CK Violin supplies the local schools here with violins - maybe you can get them to stock their store with Fiddlerman products. Once I get the green light from the Mrs., I'll see what they have, after which I will post a picture.
Offline
Hi iBud and welcome !
Enjoy the journey !
Bill
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
Offline
Welcome to the forum iBud,
You're very welcome and I really appreciate your enthusiasm.
Look forward to hearing more from you later as you follow your new journey.
We are great at inspiring people here.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
Offline
Hi William
Greetings from 'down under'. 
Have spent a little time in Hawaii. Had a great time.
I hope you find a good violin and join in the fun
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of 
..... What was I saying???? 
Regulars
Offline
Aloha again everyone,
I went to CK Violins and got a violin today! It cost more than I originally wanted to pay, but it really sounds good! The funny thing is, I don't know who made it. I looked in the F holes, but couldn't find a maker. On the plus side, it looks as if the sound post is in the right position. I'm uploading some pictures now and will place the link under this post.
I was only charged for the violin and the shoulder rest - he threw in a case, bow, rosin, and the Ultimate Practice Mute. I don't know about that mute - it still sounds pretty loud to me. I'll have to test this with my wife tonight. I have D'addario Pro-Arte strings, or so he told me. I didn't purchase a backup set of strings - I'll see how far these get me. It was pretty much in tune. Thanks, FiddlerMan, for that quick and easy tuning guide. I do have a keyboard in the house, but was too lazy to walk to the other room and tune my violin
The case, even though it is used, is a nice one, with a built-in hygrometer. The humidity in my room is getting a little close to 40%, however, so I may have to invest in a humidifier for my new violin case.
OK, now on to the fun stuff Here are the pictures, at least the ones I've taken thus far:
Soundpost position (I left the Untimate Practice Mute on)
Rosewood tuning pegs, pegbox, and scroll
Detail of upper left front (I like the purling)
Ebony tailpiece with built-in tuners
UPDATE: Not that I thought playing the violin would be easy, but it's much more difficult than I originally thought. I'll just have to get used to my left hand positioning - it's just a little bit different than on the piano hahaha I do, sometimes, sound like I'm doing a number on the neighborhood cats, but that will be solved soon, I hope. Putting a bit more rosin on the bow helps, I know now
I just hope my wife survives the breaking in period, both for the violin and myself I know that one day, I will be able to play with style, and I won't forget this website and its members. If anyone knows of a way to identify my violin, it would be appreciated. Not that I really care - I'm just a bit curious.
Regulars
Offline
Hi
It looks like a nice fiddle.
Oh yes..... You have got it right about it bring a tad difficult. That 'fretless' finger board and the bow make it easy to get it wrong.
But soon it will all start coming together and you will start making music rather than noises.
I hope you are ready for a whole heap of practice. 
Its worth it
It may be difficult to 'identify' your violin without a label
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????
Offline
Hello and thank you for the photos.. EYE CANDY. What a beautiful violin.
Good luck with playing. It is not easy but it is really really fun.
Keep us posted. You can post audio or video clips at anytime. There are a lot of friendly people to help out here.
Aloha
Toni
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
Regulars
Offline
coolpinkone said
Hello and thank you for the photos.. EYE CANDY. What a beautiful violin.Good luck with playing. It is not easy but it is really really fun.
Keep us posted. You can post audio or video clips at anytime. There are a lot of friendly people to help out here.
Aloha
Toni
Aloha Toni,
It may be a while before I can put up an audio clip If I were to put up a video clip, you may not like what you see hahahaha I'll be sure to let you know of my progress, though. Day 1 was not too good, but it WAS only day 1. It has to get better. As I posted before, the left hand on a violin is just a smudge different than on the piano
1 Guest(s)
Mouse
ELCBK
Jols
Strabo
Fiddlerman
