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Hey everyone! Some of you already know me and some of you may have seen me pop in once in a while and say "I'm getting back into it, I'm gonna do this!" and disappear indefinitely the next day, and some of you have no idea who I am at all. I got my first violin on March 7th, 2013. It is so hard for me to believe it's already been 3 years since I first played the violin. It's also hard to believe I haven't really touched the violin since 2013, either. I would pick it up once in a while in hopes of really sticking with it only to get caught up in life and let it go untouched for months about a week later. It's really disappointing, as I was very determined to learn in the beginning, but knowing I've often started something only to give up soon after, I didn't want that to happen again. I tried talking myself out of learning. I refused to get a violin unless I was really going to stick with it. I put a lot of thought into it. I took my time before getting the violin. I didn't rush into it. And I failed myself and my friends and family who supported me and my violin. I didn't stick with it. Here I am 3 years later trying to figure out how to answer the question, "How long have you been playing violin?" Since with only about 6 months of practice can I really say I've ever played violin? Perhaps I can start over now.
Anyway, coming up on the anniversary of getting my violin, here I am wanting to try again. Start fresh. I would like to make 2 recordings a month - the first recording being a first attempt at playing the song I'll be learning that month, and the final recording being at the end of the month to show my progress. Starting with March, I'd like to do something Irish for St. Patrick's Day. Would anyone like to make suggestions of a good Irish tune for a beginner?
"I don't play accurately - anyone can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression."
Algernon Moncrieff (Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest")
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Maybe Irish Washerwoman? 6/8 time, but not overly difficult as I remember (?).
My absence from playing began in 1995 after a bad construction accident left me with several broken parts. Over the years, I'd hear fiddle music and think "I sure wish I could still play". But, never attempted it thinking that with the injuries I have, it would not be possible.
Fast forward 21 years: One of my Grandsons is learning violin. This has been one of the motivations for getting back into it, and I started attempting playing again three weeks ago. It's not going well, but I am DETERMINED to make this work.
I am amazed at how much I have forgotten. Oddly enough, my biggest obstacle has been holding the instrument (due to collarbone injury). Fiddlerman made some suggestions on some stretches for my left hand, and after four weeks of working at it, I can actually spread me fingers out (mostly) on my left hand (it was broken, too).
I think if I can get the hold and left hand position sorted out, things will go better.
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Fiddlerman has a tutorial for Danny Boy. Haven't watched so don't know if it is at your level or not. But you could check and see. 
I want to see the videos, so you'd better stick with it! 
Ok, but really, that's a neat and reachable goal if you put your mind to it. I would love to see how you progress.
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Swallowtail jig is one of my favs, good song to start too.
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risk said
Swallowtail jig is one of my favs, good song to start too.
I thought about mentioning swallowtail too, one of the first songs I taught my sis to play. Fun to jam to as well.
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AndieKae,
AndieKae,
There are several here including me that started playing the Fiddle, and sometimes life gets in the way, for me the birth of our second child and a new position at work along with trying to learn the fiddle, as it was competing with other interests that I had and I was just not disciplining my self to practice so after 3 or 4 months of lessons I slide the fiddle under the bed. Fast forward 31 years both kids through collage and a new job. One day I got it out and thought, I now have time to learn so I started back learning. Only regret is I wish I had not stopped 30+ years ago so stopping for 3 years is nothing, so play play play your still young and lots of enjoyment awaits you.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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I hear you Mark. However, one never knows if the interested would have been as passionate right? Sometimes, not giving something up makes it less special.
To give an example, I lived in Sweden for 20 years, which is a great county by the way, and appreciate the weather that I had my whole life many times more since coming back to Florida 7 years ago.
Also, towards the end of my career as a performer, I only practiced to learn and perfect parts which I was going to be performing for the venue in which I participated in. Now that I don't need to play in orchestras and chamber groups I can practice if, when and whatever I feel like. Being able to play something just for yourself is also extremely rewarding.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I suggest paying for lessons. If you are paying for something, you are much less likely to blow it off.
Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.
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1stimestar said
I suggest paying for lessons. If you are paying for something, you are much less likely to blow it off.
Yep and hearing a child of 4 play the tune at your lesson!! That day I told the little girl that I was going to practice everyday to catch up with her!!
Now I feel naked if I don't play!! I enjoy the way it makes me feel - comforted when sad or stressed, able to conquer anything, etc.
One thing I do - keep the fiddle sitting out. I can walk by at any time and play a tune. Sometimes I have had to steal away minutes here and there. In the morning while my tea is heating up I will play a tune. I have another new grand-baby and after I change a diaper she lays in bed and watches me play a couple of tunes.
Another motivator - I tried to bring music to my children. They took lessons but and I knew this would happen - as soon as they could they would want to play sports. My Dad was an Ivy league and Big Ten coach. My hubby a sports nut. Well I am bound and determined to bring music to my grand-kids!!
Violinist start date - May 2013
Fiddler start date - May 2014
FIDDLE- Gift from a dear friend. A 1930-40 german copy, of a french copy of a Stradivarius. BOW - $50 carbon fiber. Strings - Dominants with E Pirastro Gold string.
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andiekae its super super cool to see you. I have always been a fan of your playing.
You didn't fail. Don't you have some kiddos and a family? I love your violin playing and your piano work also.
I am happy to see you. I think my first year really equalled about 3 months. I spent more time learning and chatting than playing... so I am behind for a OVER four year student..... ( I got over that..and I am chugging away.. ) This year I don't believe I ever missed over two days...because it became part of me.
I went home for lunch yesterday and played for 20 minutes...
Anyway.. there is NO failure.. it is a journey your are on... it is all about the journey.
Super happy to see you my friend.
Love and Sunshine.
Toni
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Schaick said
1stimestar said
I suggest paying for lessons. If you are paying for something, you are much less likely to blow it off.One thing I do - keep the fiddle sitting out. I can walk by at any time and play a tune. Sometimes I have had to steal away minutes here and there. In the morning while my tea is heating up I will play a tune. I have another new grand-baby and after I change a diaper she lays in bed and watches me play a couple of tunes.
Yep, I do that too! As an only parent of two with a full time job and two side businesses, I do a lot of hit and run playing.
Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.
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1stimestar said
Schaick said
1stimestar said
I suggest paying for lessons. If you are paying for something, you are much less likely to blow it off.One thing I do - keep the fiddle sitting out. I can walk by at any time and play a tune. Sometimes I have had to steal away minutes here and there. In the morning while my tea is heating up I will play a tune. I have another new grand-baby and after I change a diaper she lays in bed and watches me play a couple of tunes.
Yep, I do that too! As an only parent of two with a full time job and two side businesses, I do a lot of hit and run playing.
Me three, on all 3 posts here. It makes an enourmous difference to leave it out and play for 30 seconds. Especially if you leave it out where it can guilt you into playing for a minute or two.
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Gah, I had a long post written out and when I came back to finish, the page reloaded and I lost it! 
Toni, I hope someday I get to meet you and if it's OK I want to give you a big hug! You flatter me so much and make me feel so cool though I really don't do anything. You are one of my greatest motivations because I hope to work hard and become deserving of your compliments. I love your videos because I can see you progress every time and you are just so fun to watch, maybe it's just me, but you seem to put some sass into your playing and I absolutely love it!
I think I've decided to go with Swallowtail Jig for this month - after listening to all of the suggestions that one keeps getting stuck in my head, so it seems to be the right choice.
"I don't play accurately - anyone can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression."
Algernon Moncrieff (Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest")
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