Thanks. The arm just feels really stiff, almost the tricep area.  It only happens when I practice on my own.  I know why this is - I hear everything at home so have to make more effort.  Other instruments drawn me out at orchestra.  I am probably holding the instrument differently at home. Also the shoulder rest - well that nearly ended up being thrown out of the window today!!  Kept falling off.  Hate it.  Used to have a big sponge and was told that was for the kids in the orchestra.  Preferred it

Thanks.  Might post a video.  Never done such a thing before.  I am going to have to work through the grade 1 book myself.  The adults who started with me have passed it but I couldn't make the lessons.  

Then in orchestra we don't often play the tune.  We are doing 'Symphony no.5 Beethoven and I like it because for the first 10 bars you can hear the tune in what I am playing.

Thanks for your kind offer.  I've found my sponge plus I put the chin rest to virtually zero and it stays on and feels a bit better.  Still I suspect they are a painful issue and take a bit of time getting right.  Not cheap to be swapping about either 

Being really brave this is the first 3 bars of Mattachins 

I know I look miserable (haha) - just getting used to self publishing.  I am going to delete this really soon and do a better one but for now!

Played properly here:

Played by me here.  Started on this piece today never done before.  Be nice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....e=youtu.be

Advice on technique...

OK cool.  So I need to straighten the bow out!  Yeah that makes sense even though I didn't quite spot it myself when playing.  I've spent a while thinking about how I hold the violin and not focused on the bow so much.  Sometimes in orchestra during loud pieces I'll look down and notice I'm virtually sat on the bridge with the bow.  This is the part which perhaps isn't making it sound as nice as it could then.

Thanks.  Never done scales.  Not sure where to even begin with adding in a metronome.  Sure I can work it out.

P.s the Key signature changes on the song at bar 10 and there are 3 sharp signs.  Does this mean that the song has changed to A major?  I am just guessing all this.  I know in some majors, e.g. G major (I think!) you have to pull back a finger away from it's natural position.  I think in A major with the 3 major signs the fingers will all be in their natural position.  Do I even know what I am saying ???

I haven't got to bar 10 yet.  I finished at around 5 I think