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(6 votes) 
Regular advisor
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I am disillusioned with the instrument. I'm giving up on 1st position studies. I've concluded that string crossing and constant tension are the largest impediments to satisfactory progress. Tone quality has been a real problem too.
I'm going to try rigorous studies on one-string at a time only in 2013. To me, this is the way it should be in the first place. Why? Because the primacy of the shift seems to be the only way to develop the necessary state of being tension free. I think the physical obstacles are underappreciated for the adult. Specifically, suppleness in the hand and elasticity in the fingers.
Scales and arpeggios but only on one string. And of course it begins on the dreaded G string, a real problem for tone quality too. Its just much harder to maintain the contact point. If I was god, I would only play on the D string...its so much easier Playing all day on the G-string should be considered for capital punishment.
Thats it. String crossing has been banned for 2013. Be gone with ye, an unnecessary complication for now. I need to play some professional quality romantic Tchaikovsky symphony measures on the G string by year end or the instrument goes into the dumpster.
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A point of historical trivia: European violins/fiddles originally had 3 strings. The lower G string was added in the mid 1500s. Even Amati made some 3 stringers early in his career, before the 4th string became "standard".
If I recall correctly, you can blame the G string on the Medici family. LOL
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman
Composer said
...Thats it. String crossing has been banned for 2013. ...
You are too cruel to yourself!
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Vibrato... Vibrato.... Faster music reading skills ... Understand and apply timing correctly.....loose the death grip. And improve 100% over last year.
This year will freaking rock!
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Composer said
I am disillusioned with the instrument. I'm giving up on 1st position studies. I've concluded that string crossing and constant tension are the largest impediments to satisfactory progress. Tone quality has been a real problem too.I'm going to try rigorous studies on one-string at a time only in 2013. To me, this is the way it should be in the first place. Why? Because the primacy of the shift seems to be the only way to develop the necessary state of being tension free. I think the physical obstacles are underappreciated for the adult. Specifically, suppleness in the hand and elasticity in the fingers.
Scales and arpeggios but only on one string. And of course it begins on the dreaded G string, a real problem for tone quality too. Its just much harder to maintain the contact point. If I was god, I would only play on the D string...its so much easier Playing all day on the G-string should be considered for capital punishment.
Thats it. String crossing has been banned for 2013. Be gone with ye, an unnecessary complication for now. I need to play some professional quality romantic Tchaikovsky symphony measures on the G string by year end or the instrument goes into the dumpster.
You are your own worst enemy...
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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for me, goals for 2013....
I really really need to organize my practice time so I get everythnig I can play played a couple times a week or more, I have forgot that I know stuff, dangerous..
I want to know one cajun type song and one more waltz this year.. no more.
I want to play what I already know very well, if i get my practice time organized a bit, this will happen, confidence slips when improvement is slow in coming.
I want to continue sharing this gift, and it is a gift, this thing called music, to bring it to people who cannot do it for themselves, to teach and help people get started on their paths, to make people stop and think, to make children smile, dance and sing, to keep my inner child within arms reach, always having fun..IF you can make one person smile, your effort is worth every minute....fiddlin in my world.... Paul
Member
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eat less
exercise more
kiss my wife more
kiss the dog less
oh yeah....and have more fun playing the fiddle
99 % of the people I meet are self absorbed human waste sphincters.
1 % play fiddle
Pro advisor
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Welcome to the Forum Anon! I think its hilarious that you chose that name. Eventually we will figure it out and Anon wont fit anymore. Its nice to have you here.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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I like your goals Annon,
Is your wife jealous of the dog? LOL
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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A few more goals for 2013.
- Learn more Norwegian folk music pieces.
- learn double stops and triple stops.
- start learning vibrato. "Master" vibrato in 2014.
- Enjoy the fiddle as much as I can.
'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.
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1. To get through one song without scratching, squeaking or bouncing.
2. To smile when making a video. 
3. To jam with a few other people in person. (Should be able to check that one off in January.)
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
Great goals everyone, and you guys really inspire me! This 2013 I want to really focus on music, and keep practicing the Violin, and as I mentioned on another post, re-learn the Piano. I also want to get my studio up and rolling, so I can record music with friends. I have so many great ideas, and thankfully I have time now to make those ideas a reality. However, my main Violin goal for this year is:
TO LEARN VIBRATO!!!!
I must say that I have tried, but I have not tried hard enough. So apart from getting more comfortable playing different pieces, I want to start doing some vibrato, but once I start doing that, it all goes down hill
Oh, I really need a new bow!
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I got to try a left handed violin at the NAMM show this year and I know can imagine what it would be like to learn vibrato all over again. LOL
Good luck with that.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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For me, here's my wants for 2013. better late then never.
Above all, lose the white knuckle grip THEN keep improving the flexibility in my left hand and fingers, strongly focus on vibrato and finally controlled bow pressure and placement
Of course, keep working on tone, finger placement and Etudes/Scales.
"I find your lack of Fiddle, disturbing" - Darth Vader
Advanced member
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- Vibrato
- Play at son's wedding
- Play in public with fiddle ensemble
- Play in a park
- Publish new virtual ensemble video
- learn to play faster fiddle tunes
- learn to improvise ornaments and double stops
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Well a month into the year.... I have practiced more.... no vibrato yet.
Turned a little corner and put a lot of screechy-ness behind me.
Going to start working on "The Titanic Song" (Sorry Kells).
Going to start working on Amazing Grace.
Today I am reviewing the very early lessons from my Essential Strings book. ( I need work on counting, toe tapping or whatever if I am ever going to ready and play the notes for the required amount of time).
Happy with my progress, but need more and need more help. Maybe it is time for me to be in lessons again.
and..... oh yeah... I have a cello coming next Tuesday or Wednesday.... 
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
coolpinkone said
...and..... oh yeah... I have a cello coming next Tuesday or Wednesday....
N-I-C-E!!!! Congrats! Hope to see You play it!
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