After a long break of not playing or practicing the violin other than the occasional noodle, I started playing and practicing again last month a few weeks before Thanksgiving. First I noticed, I was really out of playing shape, and shoulder and thumb easily getting far too sore, and the other thing I noticed, was the Fiddlerman Soloist was still too focused and too loud for my tastes at this point in time.

Great fiddle, but out came the ear plugs while playing. It's really loud, and I really did need an ear plug in my left ear. But it's a great player, and figured, if I ever leave Suzuki book 1 and get to book 4, I will revisit getting a new fiddle, perhaps a step up or so. So I practiced daily, working on relaxing the tension in the thumb, finding positioning so shoulder would not hurt and keeping it minimal, just 20 minutes a day. 

And most songs I could make it through but if they would repeat I would have to rest a few minutes and relax and stretch the thumb and shoulder. I also started learning some simple Christmas songs, and same thing there. 1 verse, then would have to stop before repeating, etc.

Now, I know this was due to my tension and finding the right position, but it does relate to something in the future.

Anyway, I was making progress, and then had a series of minor heart attacks. Don't worry, it's all taken care of now. And feeling great.

But, it did make me decide something. I decided I wasn't going to wait 5, 10 years to get another violin. I was going to get it now and enjoy now. I started browsing online, but decided to check out some local luthiers and shops first, especially a couple of the smaller shops that are highly regarded. And this part of the story continues in The Violin section under the topic: NVD 1905 Joseph Geiger a.k.a. Snuffles.

This last week of practice with the Snuffles has been great. I haven't had the same shoulder and hand issues and been regaining technique and endurance and a much faster rate now. I've made friends with the D string again, though G is still being a bit shy, that one is starting to warm up a bit as well.