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Greetings and salutations!
Absolute beginner here.
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iamnotanoctopus
Iowa

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November 12, 2014 - 5:46 pm
Member Since: November 12, 2014
Forum Posts: 8
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Hello, everyone! I am a total newbie to the fiddle--I had never even touched a violin before a few weeks ago. That's when I mentioned to a friend that I adore violin/fiddle music (any sweet sound you can make with that instrument is delightful, regardless of origin) and that I'd always wanted to learn. Well, turns out she just so happened to have been a violinist back in the day, and hadn't touched her violin in about five years.

So I am currently borrowing said violin (a 1989 Suzuki, if that means anything to anyone), I'm starting lessons with a fiddle instructor this weekend, and I've been trying to learn what I can without teaching myself any bad habits. I'm still a little intimidated just to touch the violin, and I'm terrified of maiming the bow! I feel pretty good about my bow hold and I don't hate the noises I've been making so far... and that's as far I've gotten. The sum total of my past musical experience is that I can read music (slowly, I don't sight-read or anything), and I can kind of play the ukulele. A little. A very little. Ukes and fiddles seem to be sized about right for my tiny hands.

I am crossing my fingers that I'm not totally hopeless and this is something I can do. If not, I will sadly return my borrowed violin to it's owner and content myself with listening to other people's work. If I am any good at it, I'll buy a fiddle of my own, and I will pet it and squeeze it and love it and name it George.

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
November 12, 2014 - 5:58 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
Forum Posts: 4180
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Welcome to the forum.  It is a lovely magnificent obsession.

I wish you great playing success.

I am Toni, playing about 2.5 years.  My Violin's name is Noelle.  (there are sister violins also.... Violetta, Gretta, and Pinky).

I confess to sitting and just holding my violin sometimes. 

Welcome and enjoy.

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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KindaScratchy
Massachusetts
November 12, 2014 - 8:38 pm
Member Since: March 14, 2012
Forum Posts: 1760
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Welcome @iamnotanoctopus ! I am confident that you will find playing this instrument as addictive as the rest of us do. You've come to a good place...not only are Fiddlerman's resources helpful, the people here are very supportive and friendly.

BTW, your last line cracked me up. I think we all feel that way about our fiddles.

My violin's name is Peg. (My mandolin's name is Amanda Lynn).

rofl

When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,

I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.

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Tyberius
Members

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November 12, 2014 - 8:48 pm
Member Since: November 8, 2012
Forum Posts: 555
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Because George is your friend  ;)

You'll fit right in. Come to think of it, I can hardly think of anybody who wouldn't. Just the fact that you take it tongue and cheek is enough to know you're going to have fun along your journey. Its an enjoyable pastime that seems to grow on you and in you. I will also say, there will be times you want to pluck all its little strings off, swing it like an Olympic Hammer thrower as far out in your yard as humanly possible. Fortunately, those times pass quickly. Honestly, it seems just after those times, you make your noticeable steps in playing.

Enjoy the ride, What you hear along the way may surprise you.  You may surprise you.  wink

"I find your lack of Fiddle, disturbing" - Darth Vader

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Georganne
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November 12, 2014 - 10:53 pm
Member Since: August 28, 2013
Forum Posts: 993
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You can do it!  Glad you have one to borrow and are getting a few lessons at least to start.  When I first got mine I didn't know how to handle it either so was extremely cautious about even touching it.  My instructor told me you can't play if it you don't touch it so go ahead and give it a hug lol. 

 

Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.

 

Alaska, the Madness; Bloggity Stories of the North Country

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 13, 2014 - 7:38 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Give it a hug. ROFL....
Sounds like you have a cool instructor 1stimestar.

.....and I will pet it and squeeze it and love it and name it George.

Sounds like you'll fit in here perfectly.
Welcome to the forum. We look forward to hearing much more from you. :)

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

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Wilhelt

Member
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November 17, 2014 - 9:11 am
Member Since: November 3, 2014
Forum Posts: 4
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Hi and welcome, I just started as well, I had my first lesson last week and it went suprisingly well. Apparenly i didn't pick up any bad habit from FM's videos lol.

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Mark
Members

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November 17, 2014 - 1:19 pm
Member Since: September 30, 2014
Forum Posts: 2149
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Iannotanoctopur and Wilhelt,

Welcome the the Forum, Jump right in and join in the fray lots of characters here to keep you coming back for morelumpy-2134

 

Mark 

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 18, 2014 - 10:26 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Welcome to the forum Wilhelt,

Glad that my videos didn't mess you up. LOL
Also, glad to hear that things are going so well already. :)

Look forward to your progress updates.

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

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
November 18, 2014 - 11:14 am
Member Since: January 11, 2012
Forum Posts: 4180
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@Wilhelt Welcome to the forum. 

So exciting to hear about your first lessons.

Good luck.  We hope to hear more about your violin journey.

Cheers,

Toni

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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