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Greetings everyone! My name is Rick, and I currently reside in Pennsylvania. I've been lurking on the forums for a while now as a guest, and I finally decided to start up an account and make a proper introduction. I will be making my first violin purchase in the near future, and my online research keeps bringing me back to Fiddlerman and his wonderful reviews and tutorials.
I've wanted to play the violin for a few years now, and now I finally have the free time to be able to properly focus on it. My leaning is towards Irish "pub" and folk music (so more fiddlin' than anything, lol), but I know there is much to learn by studying the classics as well. That being said, I'm looking closely at the Fiddlerman Concert Vioiln outfit to get me started. It's been reviewed well on this forum, and everyone speaks highly of Pierre and his dedication to helping out us newbies who are fresh in the field.
I am open to anyone's guidance and/or suggestion, and look forward to joining the ranks of fiddlers everywhere.
--- Rick
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Welcome Rick, I live in Florida so a fellow east coaster! I think you can learn just as much with fiddle music as almost any classical piece can teach you. The thing about fiddle is its much more often based on live performance and not sheet music based. An aural tradition. Of course that doesnt help people like me who prefer the sheet music due to ease since I read it. Listen and watch youtube vids of all the music you like and then give it a whirl. theres a few real good fiddlers on here who alll seem wiling to share the knowledge. Looking forward to chatting with you! Pfish
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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Rick, great move forward in joining the forum. You've got it now! If you want to start the right way and get the most fun out of your fiddling, you're in the right place. I've shopped at Fiddlershop.com and it's a great outfit. If pricing means anything, Peirre's prices are lower than many other online resources.
I bought a $29 violin to start with. "What's in a violin, anyway? Wood? Some glue? these overseas factories can do things just as well as anyone". I regret losing that money, but admire myself for spending it so I know what a crappy violin sounds like. In comparison I've played other people's... and wow. Picture an old fashioned Hi-Fi stereo with an equalizer. Now boost the midrange all the way up, and reduce the bass, and the highs. That's what a crappy violin sounds like. The good ones have a balanced tone. I like the deeper end ones myself, with the bass end a bit higher. But you'll soon discover all of this for yourself, and hopefully will post some videos of your starting out on this journey.
The FM Concert Violin, as people say, sounds better and better the more you practice with it because the wood intones with the string vibrations and becomes more "seasoned" - probably something to do with microscopic changes in the wood. I want one in the worst way... so some day I'll reward myself. (I've got a wish list started at Fshop!)
If you study (and practice) the violin with the openness of a child's heart, you will soon progress into Irish Pub music and play competently to your own satisfaction. The trouble comes in because as your skills increase, so do your expectations, and thus the cycle begins... practice, progress, satisfaction...PPS as I say. Some people say PPP (practice, practice and practice).
By the way, you are already a Fiddler if you love it in your heart. A fiddler need not own a fiddle or even have access to one in order to "be" a Fiddler. So... welcome to the club, Fiddler Rick!!
Mt. Fiddler Mark
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Western Pa. here Rick > GO STEELERS!!!! > I have a cheap violin that I have started with > I have replaced strings, jawrest , etc > I have made my transactions through the Fiddlershop and I must say their service and support have exceeded awesomeness. I am looking at the Concert and the Master > Yeah gots to get some more cash first. I think you will be very happy with your purchase and this site if you really want to learn.
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Welcome to the forum rkrissinger 
Glad you decided to join in. We'll be happy to serve you in case you get something here at fiddlershop but what's more important is that you find something that you are satisfied with and that you enjoy your journey to learning to play violin.
Look forward to following your progress.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Welcome to our little hole in the world Rick. Were glad you decided to join in. Pull up some rosin, and start right in.
"I find your lack of Fiddle, disturbing" - Darth Vader
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Welcome!
If you're just starting out and haven't acquired a violin yet, then I would recommend either renting from a local reputable shop that puts a percentage of the rental fee toward a purchase, or else buying one of the Fiddlerman approved outfits since he tests those before sending them out. I can't speak from personal experience, but it seems that getting anything cheaper like a low-end Cecilio ends up being a gamble in terms of quality.
I also wouldn't worry so much yet about getting a really fancy, expensive violin. Once you get a feel for the violin and learn the basics, you'll also start to develop an ear for each violin's individual "voice" as well as a preference for what kind of "voice" you want to "sing" with!
Whatever violin you end up getting, I highly recommend the Fiddlerman carbon fiber bow, which comes with Fiddlerman outfits or can be purchased separately. It is far superior to any of the cheap wood or fiberglass bows in the same price range, and will help make learning a lot easier.
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Hello and Welcome.
Toni from CA.... I did not have a life long desire to play...I thought the Piano was my thing...but no it is the Violin....
I wish you the best on this journey...it is a magnificent obsession and so rewarding.
I have a violin that some say is very similar to the CM...and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it... it...
I either play it better now or it got really good with age.
Welcome.
Toni
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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** posted wrong reply here...so I edited and put it where it belongs.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Thanks for the warm welcome, all. I plan on contacting Fiddlershop tomorrow to discuss preferences and suggestions for my first fiddle. I've waited long enough to make this decision, I've researched everything I can think of (here and on other sites)...long story short though until I take the plunge and start practicing I'm not getting anywhere further.
BTW @ Stonedog: I've never been interested in football, but I will say GO PENGUINS!
@ Johannes: I'm trying to stay away from the low-end violins; the FM Concert Violin is within my price range and appears (at least based upon reviews here) to be an acceptable "starter" violin, as well as one that may last a couple of years' worth of torture at my hands before I would need to upgrade, if at all. I'm getting a late start on taking up the fiddle (in my late 30's already), but my goal and desire is to become proficient enough to entertain myself, family, and friends with some Celtic jigs & reels, not to perform on stage in a stuffy tux, so nothing too fancy required as of yet. 
--- Rick
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