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Hello out there! I'm new to fiddling and new to this site and forum. I have been taking fiddle lessons for all of a month, but I really love it. I'm near retirement age and have played different instruments over the years, but always wanted to try a violin. Bought a cheapie from Amazonia and decided to try a lesson, loved it and was so excited I rented a real violin, and just placed an order for my very own new one today.
I live in an area with lots of bluegrass, folk and traditional music going on - but nothing live right now. Wondering about how to play "live" on Zoom or equivalent with a few other newbies; a 45-minute lesson once a week is helpful but I'm kind of isolated, I even take my lesson on Google Duo. Belonging to a small group that struggles to figure out how to play without sounding like a cat with its tail under a rocking chair leg would make me feel better! 
I'm sure I will have lots of questions. Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to make my fingers stay over the strings like I see experienced players do. I can't seem to get my wrist in a position to play the E string very well and my fingers just want to straighten out. I supposed a couple of years of practice will help that LOL. I feel like my wrist has to turn so much I am going to break it. Well, that's what a teacher is for.
I look forward to reading the topics and the posts, and learning learning learning.
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Missdove
Welcome to the forum and the fiddle,
For sure the fiddle is unnatural to hold, but a few easy stretches and time will help loosen up the joints, but if it hurts stop and reevaluate your hold, changing your set up several times is pretty normal, In the last month I changed my set up and found it has freed up my fingering hand.
Welcome aboard,
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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Welcome to the forum, @Missdove! Feel free to ask away and submit your own replies with your thoughts. Being a newbie, which a lot of us are, does not mean you don’t have thoughts and ideas how solve issues members have.
We have periodic Group Projects, organized by Fiddlerman, all levels can participate. Fiddlerman always makes it work, even with my amateurish submissions.
You should have received a Welcome Email that I sent yesterday. It has a lot of helpful forum links. That might be a good way to get an idea of the layout of the forum. Click the links to the different parts of the forum. Let me know if you do not see it in your inbox. I can resend it to you.
Welcome to the forum.
The Bumblebee Flies!
Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.
Regulars
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@Missdove -
Welcome to the Fiddlerman Forum!
Many older (young at heart), beginning Violinists/Fiddlers here to support you.
Fiddlerman has MANY helpful tutorials for beginners and advanced players! If you don't see them on the right, scroll up to the top of the page. He is very good at showing you how to play.
If you need another perspective, I've recommended "Prof William Fitzpatrick's" tutorials (on YouTube), in many threads on this forum - everyone learns differently.
I don't know if it's reasurring or discouraging, but I still have trouble getting my wrist/arm twisted and my fingers to go where they're supposed to!
AND, when I'm tired/not feeling well - I sound like someone stepped on one of my cat's tails, too!
Since you've played other instruments - I'm sure things will come together fairly quick, just give yourself time.
Have fun - glad you joined us!
- Emily
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Welcome to the forum, any question feel free to ask someone will always answer, violin is difficult to hold because its unnatural compared to other instruments the thing is try to relax.
Give yourself time and dont try to rush things, thats a fatal mistake with violin,its not like guitar or banjo,and we ALL even the best in the world struggle with it thats why its so rewarding.
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Missdove said
Hello out there! I'm new to fiddling and new to this site and forum. I have been taking fiddle lessons for all of a month, but I really love it. I'm near retirement age and have played different instruments over the years, but always wanted to try a violin. Bought a cheapie from Amazonia and decided to try a lesson, loved it and was so excited I rented a real violin, and just placed an order for my very own new one today.
Great to hear Miissdove. Happy you followed up on your desire.
I live in an area with lots of bluegrass, folk and traditional music going on - but nothing live right now. Wondering about how to play "live" on Zoom or equivalent with a few other newbies; a 45-minute lesson once a week is helpful but I'm kind of isolated, I even take my lesson on Google Duo. Belonging to a small group that struggles to figure out how to play without sounding like a cat with its tail under a rocking chair leg would make me feel better!
Timing doesn't really work online as far as I know but let me know if you figure something out.
I'm sure I will have lots of questions. Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to make my fingers stay over the strings like I see experienced players do. I can't seem to get my wrist in a position to play the E string very well and my fingers just want to straighten out. I supposed a couple of years of practice will help that LOL. I feel like my wrist has to turn so much I am going to break it. Well, that's what a teacher is for.
I know what you mean with the wrist. I started doing Yoga a few years back and all these new movements take getting used to. Just do it slowly and carefully.
I look forward to reading the topics and the posts, and learning learning learning.
Looking 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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