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Hi all!
Just stopping by to introduce myself. I'm Mandy, and am brand spanking new to the violin. My current hobbies are photography, drawing and knitting, and am adding playing the violin to the list.
Ever since I was a little girl, I was fascinated by this instrument, particularly the way the bow draws along the strings to play the note.
I come from a fairly musically talented family. My father's family all plays several instruments by ear, including the violin, which my grandfather and aunt played the most. Sadly, they all live out of state and usually years go between visits so their knowledge didn't get passed down.
Myself, I only ever played piano by ear as a child, but after our organ was sold before a move, I didn't get to play anymore, and lessons were out of our families price range. The love of music, and desire to noodle around playing something has always been in me.
So now, at 35, I decided to give in to my nearly life long desire to learn! I started with a Stentor 2 a week ago, but just when I was beginning to practice Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the tailpiece decided it didn't want to hold the G string anymore. So that got returned and I have a Fiddlerman Concert violin on order!
Right now my plan is to learn as much as possible online, and maybe down the road take some lessons to be sure I'm on the right track. I'm determined to play an instrument again!
So so there is my long winded introduction!
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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Welcome, Mandy! Nice to meet you. I enjoyed your introduction. You've come to the right place for great resources and friendly, helpful people...especially Pierre, the Fiddlerman himself.
Looking forward to hearing about your new fiddle and your progress. Keep us posted!
-- Diane
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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Thank you, Diane 
I am sure I will be referring here for tips and posting more once my new fiddle gets here. I was having so much fun practicing before the other one gave out. I'm sure I will post as soon as I get my new one delivered! I'm so excited, I've been stalking the tracking updates, lol.
~Mandy
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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Regulars
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Mandy,
Welcome to the violin and to the forum. With your background in music, I think you will really enjoy playing!
Regulars
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Welcome Mandy to the Insane World of strings.
Be careful you thing tracking the first one is bad, wait till the 3rd or 4th (these things are addictive). I'm sure that you will find alot of help and encouragement here and friendly people.
I hope you get your new violin soon.. best wishes
With violins there is no fretting over the music.
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Welcome - from one newbie to another (I'm new to both the instrument and the forum also!)
Folks here have been incredibly supportive, welcoming and helpful. I'm sure you'll love it.
Enjoy the FM Concert - I'm very jealous!
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Welcome, Mandy ! It's all been said above, so I won't repeat it - other than adding that we have a great and supportive family here !
You'll like the Concert ( I call mine Connie ! ) LOL
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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Welcome - I'm sure you'll love your new adventure with the fiddle!
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Thank you so much for the warm welcome, all
According to my tracking, my fiddle will be waiting for me when I get home from work tonight!
I was thinking that a name for it wouldn't pop into my head until I got to know it after playing, but for some reason the name Sherlock popped into my head and won't get out, lol (I guess having a stack of books on my nightstand might have something to do with it). So I guess my violin will be Sherlock, unless it decides it wants to be named something else down the road.
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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After playing for awhile, I just hope you don't end up calling it Moriarity. ha. Be strict with yourself about learning the basics (hand hold, bow hold, but most importantly, have fun. Remember this is PLAYING the violin.
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Ha, I hope I won't!
While waiting for my replacement to get here, I kept practicing bow hold and bow-drawing motions with a pencil.
My tracking said Sherlock is on the truck for delivery, so I will be rocking out on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star later today, haha.
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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Well, other than the delivery guy throwing the box on the porch hard enough to knock over a table, my violin has made it to me, lol.
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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YESSSS !!!!! Inspect closely !
I hope and trust no shipping damage - sure it will be OK !
NICE !!!! Enjoy....
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh -
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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It was still in perfect shape, and only ever so slightly out of tune.
I am in LOVE with this violin. Such a huge difference from the Stentor 2, I'm kind of glad it ended up being a dud and needed to return it so I could end up with this sweet, sweet fiddle! I adore every single bit of it... Sherlock tries his best to sound wonderful even through my newbie hands, lol. I can't wait to make progress!!
I did a little photoshoot of this sweet little violin after a little practice session:
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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Honorary advisor
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Welcome! Nice to meet you, Mandy and Sherlock
I wish you all the best in your new journey.
Have fun 
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Great pics! Very nice ?
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Thank you
I've been noodling around with it a little bit every day (I don't time myself, but probably 2 hours or more a day... the time kind of flies while I practice) and I'm getting better at my fingering... not perfect, but making progress. My practice sessions include bow hold and drawing the bow; playing open notes off of practice sheet music, playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and The Hanging Tree. I make sure I practice something new and challenging right before bed, because then my brain works on it while I sleep, and I can do it so much better when I come back to it the next day.
I really am addicted to practicing, lol.
I also signed up for classes which I plan to take for a month or two to help get started. I might take them longer... or shorter... but know no matter what I will drop them by winter because the teacher I wanted is in a small town (very Stars Hollow for the Gilmore Girls fans out there) and it's a bit of a drive for me that I won't want to do in snow storms. But, I will start my first class on Monday!
And I am still in love with my violin, Sherlock. The name Sweet Daisy May popped into my head as a possible re-naming, but either way, I love this Violin.
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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Welcome to the forum Mandy.
It's always extra special when someone finally attempts to learn to play violin when they have had it in their mind for a long time.
Hope you can get help from your father's family sometime. They must be thrilled to hear that you have begun your journey.
I love your story about switching to a Fiddlerman Concert after a soft start with the Stentor. I am well aware of those instruments and I'm happy you were able to make the change.
I look forward to hearing about your progress. It sounds like you are diving in head first and I like that.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thanks for the welcome
I have a tentative plan to visit my aunt next month, and hope to get some tips from her while I'm there
After I got my Concert violin, I was so happy that my Stentor 2 broke so I didn't get stuck with that thing, lol. Such a big improvement in sound and quality! It was a little more than I had originally budgeted for this new hobby, but I think it was well worth it.
I'm happy with the progress I've made so far, I can play a decent Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and was giving Nearer My God to Thee a try tonight, it was fun playing something a little more emotional. By no means do I sound great, but I'm having fun making little bits of progress, and trying out some simple songs.
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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I was curious about Nearer My God To Thee and did a quick search to see the level of the piece. Is this the piece?
http://freeldssheetmusic.org/s.....el-D-Young
The word you used, "progress", is exactly what should be looking for. With continual progress you have the right to be satisfied. Even though it's early in the game, it's great to hear that you are having fun while learning. To me, that is the most important aspect for success. Enjoy the journey, the destination is less important and not as long.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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