I haven't posted very much at all over the last year. It isn't because I didn't want to though. I saw so many new members come in...I saw the post count rising on FM and other senior members like myself and Toni... I guess it was because I was a little overwhelmed by everything here. New categories, for the mandolin, the cello, and then so many different types of musical categories from bluegrass to contemporary and classical in there as a great starting foundation to the violin in general.

I make and sell electric 5 string fretted violins, which by their very construction seem to defeat the purpose of long hours of practice to obtain that elusive 'muscle memory' for the fingers, the rhythm for the bowing and the various other basic fundamental things seemingly over-run by the electronic pedals, the cool sounds obtained by the electric violin in general and the various different types of music easily played once you know the note layout vs the tiny mistakes only a player or their teacher would notice playing a complex piece with a finger just a fraction of a millimeter off correct placement. I almost felt out of place here because of that fact.

I've been here helping others repair, make new bridges, re-hair bows, even get into a few arguments about the quality of sound analysis software to replicate an old sound from a very expensive instrument. I've made new friends, lost a few along the way... but in the end I have achieved my goal I set for myself on Fed 13, 2012 when I decided I would learn to play the violin and the song which inspired my to spend countless hours of practice and copy time with the recorder was "Over The Rainbow" which was played by David Garrett. I was fortunate to see David (twice!), once in Reno by myself, and once at the historic Crest Theater in Sacramento with Toni... a high point in my lifetime I must say. Oh to go back in time and re-live just one day (or night) and listen to such a performance... wow.

I have a hard time now playing the violin, actually my left wrist and elbow hurt painfully after only attempting to play one tune, so my practice time is non-existent to say the least and I fear my memory of those few tunes I used to play with my violin partner are doomed to be forgotten like all the tunes from a masters memory when they leave this world. Oh I'm fine, healthy as can be, just can't play the damn violin like I want to... so... I have to say I've used the violin and my 6 yrs of practice as a stepping stone to the next instrument in line... the pedal steel guitar. No twisting of the left arm and wrist makes the ability to play it for hours easy and comfortable. I watch some of my videos I made years ago while learning and really bust up laughing over much of it, how could people tolerate such cat scratch screeching!!?? LoL Although the few Street Jelly performances I was able to participate in were a real hoot, I don't watch them anymore, it makes me sad because I get all excited and inspired to play again and of course I try, but the next day I find myself hardly able to hold a coffee cup so... the price is too great to continue trying to play... but I have moved on to other things and hopefully this year will result in some decent sounds coming from a beginner player once again.

I've rambled on here enough but thought it might be of interest to a few of the older members here who remember the days when I was here chatting and helping...

Thank you all, and thank you Pierre for your patience and guidance and of course those great instruments you sell us eager to learn beginners..