Hia folks, I’d like to re-introduce myself to the forum!

I originally joined back in 2014 (when forum membership was around 3,000), and my absence started back mid-pandemic, when I was “called back” to support some quite old (legacy) software that one of my earlier customers was wanting to update.  That involved a lot of travel, leaving me only with weekends to ‘recover’ and catch-up on normal life.  Once that work had completed after about 9 months or so, I did indeed get back on the forum – for a while!

The rest of the story continues below!

Some weeks back, I received an email from Pierre –

Hi Bill,

Long time no see/hear. I’m hoping that you are well.

If you feel like dropping me a line to let me know that you are OK, I would appreciate it.

People have been asking about you. 🙂

Cheers,

Fiddlerman, Pierre, writing from Corsica, France at this moment.

I’ve always appreciated that the Fiddlerman forum is something “more” than a generic social media environment – indeed, true friends, albeit virtually, were made, information was freely shared – leading to improved understanding and often enlightenment in our combined musical journey with the devil’s own instrument!

It was Pierre’s words ‘People have been asking…’ that prompted me out of the doldrums, and I sent him an email describing what had happened.  Subsequently, Pierre suggested I share the email describing my recent journey and reasons for absence on the forum – and I thought a “re-introduction” would be a good place to put it!

Here's my response to The Boss, with only a private number redacted –

Hi there Pierre,

            Thanks so much for the shout-out!   Yes, indeed it’s been ages, and I feel somewhat ashamed (and embarrassed) at my long-term absence from the forum – so, in a quick response to your question, yes, thank you I am OK – but….. ( warning, this will turn into a long read ! )

            General health-wise, I’m fine, it’s just the physical demands on my body that have me struggling somewhat.  First it was sciatica about 2 years ago – took a year to largely get over that, although still left with persistent lower-back pain – which I can live with.  Because I tend to move a lot when playing (even small positional adjustments, and my preferred playing position is standing) the fiddle was pretty much out of the question other than an occasional 4 or 5 minute session, after which I simply had to stop.  The sciatica lessened over time, thanks to guidance from a physiotherapist who got me involved in various repetitive stretching exercises (not unlike some Yoga positions, but with a lot more repetition and muscular activity rather than ‘static held positions’), and essentially that’s it sorted – other than the associated lower-back issue.

            So, I thought, this is good, must get back to playing, which I did, slowly getting back to some degree of what I consider ‘proficient enough for me’!!!

            During that time, I had stayed away from the forum because I felt I had little to offer - yes, I could continue to share my knowledge (what there is of it!) – but my true passion is in performing, and I had felt it impossible to do that.

            So – “things were getting better” – yes?  Ahh well….    So, I’m back on my feet, out-and-about and trying desperately to catch up on what, after a year, is a now overgrown garden (it was already overgrown when we moved here, about 6 years back – “normal” shrubs and bushes had grown, over many earlier years into trees – not kidding!)  I set myself the task of cutting back a Rowan tree with wide spreading branches, many around 5 to 6 inches thick (yup, it was seriously out of control) – a chainsaw job (LOL, don’t worry!).   I’m half way into the job, stop the chainsaw and place it on the ground while I move the mains cable around to the other side of the tree.   I lean over, awkwardly stretching my left arm to pick the chainsaw up and in that motion, I obviously over-stretched my left arm and hand, and as the weight of the saw took effect – OUCH – a shooting pain from my left hand wrist to my shoulder…..  Turns out I had inflicted “wrist tendonitis” – normally something that develops with repetitive movements – but equally can be the direct and immediate effect of an injury – which of course in this case that’s exactly what it was.

            So, about 4 months with my left wrist in a support-brace, and another two till it was once again fully flexible without pain.   Once again, my return to playing was stopped dead in its tracks.

            Honestly, I’ve always had a positive “can-do” and enthusiastic attitude to life, but somehow, these two ‘injuries’ seemed to be telling me something.  I know, it’s a “head-thing” and that’s a totally crazy thing to say – come on Bill, 5hit happens, deal with it!  Take small steps and do them consistently, share your concerns, don’t let the 5hit take control!

            What’s really irritating is that these days at this age (73) is that these little injuries seem to take so darned long to recover from.  In my head, man, I’m still 35 and still running half-marathons!

            So, I’m getting back into playing again, which is great.  Not trying to do anything new, just working on a lot of my old favourites, occasionally adding some personalisation or embellishments etc.   About 4 weeks back I had the opportunity to sit down for an hour or so with a “proper violinist” (who, in her later life has moved from classical to fiddle) and we got “close up and personal” as she demonstrated wrist and arm vibrato (always managed finger – wrist and arm were between extremely poor and non-existent!)  It was magic, got her to play a really slow vibrato, sort of “cuddled up” around her and with my left hand fingers felt all the little muscles moving in her lower arm and wrist as she played on a single note, as well as intently watching the overall wrist and arm movement.  That was enlightening!  Probably FAR from a normal or usual way to learn from a tutor, but by heck, it worked! (Debbie was wondering what on earth we were up to ROFL!)

            Anyway Pierre, that was a (probably un-necessarily long) account of my recent journey, but it was good to share.

            I’m also heartened by what you mentioned about folks asking for me – that’s nice to know, and will jolt me back into at least saying “hi” on the forum – and hopefully more as I return to hopefully full normality!

            You already know how much I love the forum, the folks from the earlier days, and on a personal note, the true value I have received from yourself with all your videos, explanations and everything else – priceless.  Truly, thanks man!   We think alike – knowledge is to be shared, not “hoarded and kept secret”.  I’m also impressed by your journey from a “mere” violinist (that sounded bad, but you know what I mean) to running a full blown business enterprise – well done – and I hope and trust Fiddlershop is doing well – I’m sure it is!

            On a final note (if you haven’t fallen asleep… LOL) – I see you’ve made it across the pond – just wondering if it’s business or holiday?  Because, if it is the latter, and you’re traveling around and ever land up in the UK, let us know and we can perhaps catch up somewhere?  That would be well cool – here’s my number should it ever happen – ----- --- ---.

Hoping all is well with you and yours, and thanks again for the shout-out!

            Cheers and all the best,

            Bill

So, folks – that’s where my life has been – it’ll be good to catch up with old friends, and, undoubtedly, make new ones! 

We do have quite a number of summer ‘events’ in the diary which will take us away for a few days at a time, so although I’m “back” – there may well be occasional delays in responding to any feedback or PMs etc….

Playing-wise, in getting back to the instrument, I find that my intonation is just as good (or bad – what I mean it is unchanged) as it ever was, but, the touch and feel of the bowing arm, and the “learned (through practice) subtle muscle movements in wrist and fingers” is partly lost – it will no doubt recover the more I play!

Anyway – I leave it at that, and my appreciation to the folks that were asking about me, thank you all !

BillyG