Hi all, It appears that I hijacked Barry's thread. I will try not to do that any more.

On playing, I am trying and had one lesson to date and have tried to follow FiddlerMans lessons, I am past the notes on the G string.  I can get a nice long and short notes with long and short strokes, and am fingering the G scale.

I think I am doing ok, when leaving my first lesson, my teacher gave me his version of finger positions (tabluture?) for The Tennesse Waltz, but I am not getting it correctly.

I think I have Intonation problems and have been looking at FM's lessons for that.  Also my lack of knowing the songs may be a hinderance. 

Mr Barry, no I have not learned Angelina Baker, I looked at FM's lessons and did not see it, I think that would be a good one to learn.

My practice is when my wife is busy or out,  and I have a large rubber mute on my violin.

After 10 or 15 minutes of practice the violin starts walking about on my shoulder and leaning my head over to the left side results in pain on the right side of the neck, old surgery there.  I have tried getting it lower and it is much better but still walks.

FiddlerMan on one of his videos has a pad on the bottom of the violin but I do not remember where it is, so I hope I will find it in the next couple of days.

Thanks to all for the encouragement, I appreciate that.

Also where should I place my progress or lack of same, this hijacking Mr Barry's thread is not the best place.

Thanks gordon

Gordon, you're never too old to learn!  Like others have said, it's a journey.  The way I looked at it when I started (at 40) was that every little thing I learned was more than I knew before!  Now 14 years later, I'm still no soloist but I have fun playing with other people and haven't regretted it for a second. 

I was lucky enough to know the great Scottish fiddler Johnny Cunningham and he once told me it's what's in your heart that makes the music.   Keep at it!