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Hello from Connecticut!
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KarenSquared
Kensington, CT

Member
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September 23, 2014 - 6:29 pm
Member Since: September 22, 2014
Forum Posts: 7
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Hi everyone! I am new here and and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Karen, I am 56 years old (for a few more weeks anyway), I am married and live in Connecticut. I have 3 grown kids and 3 granddaughters.

I like to knit, spin (yarn), read and sew. With sewing I enjoy quilting and making clothing. I also like to run and am currently training for the Marine Corp Marathon in DC at the end of October. I am not particularly fast but I get the job done.

I am currently awaiting my first violin, a Fiddlerman Concert violin. I have never played a string instrument before but have always loved the sound of a violin. I played the piano for 5 or 6 years when I was a kid but not since then. I am so excited to get my violin even though I have no idea what to do with it. This is my early birthday present to myself. I have been watching the beginners videos and bought a couple of beginners books. The reading music part is pretty rusty and I cannot play by ear. I hope I am able to do this at my age and haven't bitten off more than I can chew.

Well that's all I can think of to tell you all. I look forward to getting to know you all!

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KindaScratchy
Massachusetts
September 23, 2014 - 8:52 pm
Member Since: March 14, 2012
Forum Posts: 1760
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Welcome, Karen! Greetings from a fellow New Englander...I live in Massachusetts and grew up in Rhode Island.

I hope you enjoy your violin journey. I started learning to play at almost 50 years old and others here also took up the violin at a well seasoned age. ;)

-- 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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VickieD
Members

Regulars
September 23, 2014 - 9:26 pm
Member Since: July 26, 2014
Forum Posts: 130
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Welcome Karen,

How exciting! I hope you enjoy your new violin. Since you play piano you should be off to a good start reading sheet music for violin/fiddle. I don't play by ear either (working on it) but if you do a search you will find some really good tips from other forum members on learning to play by ear. Enjoy!semiquaver-1214

"A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?
~~Albert Einstein

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
September 23, 2014 - 10:14 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
Forum Posts: 4180
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Welcome Karen.. I spin and knit too!!  :)

Many here have that violin... and I have a "similar"  nice to meet you.

Many  many are nice here and we are so happy to have you.

:)

jump in anywhere and start talking... 

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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suresh
Tuticorin, India

Honorary advisor
Members

Regulars
September 25, 2014 - 11:38 am
Member Since: August 22, 2011
Forum Posts: 485
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Welcome Karen! to the fiddle world.

If music be the food of love, play on;
Give me excess of it ..(William Shakespeare in Twelfth Night)

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KarenSquared
Kensington, CT

Member
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September 25, 2014 - 5:42 pm
Member Since: September 22, 2014
Forum Posts: 7
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Thank you all for the nice words and the warm welcome! I look forward to getting to know everyone here!

My violin came today! It is beautiful!

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iBud
Honolulu, HI
Members

Regulars
September 26, 2014 - 4:27 am
Member Since: August 28, 2014
Forum Posts: 376
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Aloha Karen,

Welcome to the forums!  I am also over 50 and just starting on the violin, but like you, have also been exposed to the piano.  In my case, I took five years of structured lessons, then went on my own, until I joined the Navy.  After three decades off the piano, I finally got one and began playing again.  I also have loved the sound of the violin/fiddle and purchased one about a month ago.  It is quite different from the piano :D  But as someone else here pointed out, you'll be able to read sheet music already, which is a plus.

I have found that the two instruments can be complimentary.  On the violin, you use your left hand to stop the strings which requires finger power.  As I've been playing both violin and piano, I've noticed that playing the violin has actually helped to strengthen my fingers such that playing the piano has been made a bit easier.

Good luck in your violin playing path - it's more difficult than it looks, but if you take your time and master the "little" things, such as the violin hold, the bow hold, and especially bowing motion (something I have yet to master), everything else will just fall into place.  Don't be shy to ask for help.  I have been treated with the utmost respect here, even if some of my questions seem to be rather elementary.  Also check out the rest of Fiddlerman.com - there is literally tons of information here, as well as very knowledgable people.

Keep-Calm-and-Fiddle-On-small-2.jpg

 

 

 

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
September 26, 2014 - 11:38 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Welcome to the forum Karen,

Thanks for a very nice introduction. We look forward to hearing more about your experience and progress. Happy fiddling :)

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

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