So the whole reason I got back into learning the violin a couple weeks ago is because of an acquaintance of mine at a local coffee shop. We've known each other for years strictly b/c I go in a lot and the owners know me and we all hit it up like we're life long friends. I love it. I've "known" this guy for years just because of this. A couple weeks ago out of the blue I told him I regret that I stopped learning the violin. He said, "What, you are learning the violin? I play the violin and I have a band." Who would have thought? So he asked me who my instructor used to be and he said that he's the best violinist in the county and the nicest guy ever and he has bought many a violin from him. 

So that encounter is what made me upgrade to a non-Chinese violin and start up again. I actually got in touch with my instructor and bought my new violin from him to help support him. He could use the money more than the shop that I go to. So anyways, last night I went and saw his band and it was awesome. He had to switch between guitar and fiddle every song but it was still awesome. It really makes me want to get good. Not to play in a band mind you, but the joy he had jamming on it was contagious.

Another friend and his girlfriend came over to my house so we could go watch this band at the bar. This friend is an accomplished guitarist. His band just signed a record deal for 1/2 million dollars the other week so he's legit. He doesn't make fun of me at all though and they kept bugging me to play for them before we left. Now mind you, I've been practicing for like a week or 2 now. I played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and the opening to a video game called "Halo" which I don't know if any of you have heard of or care lol. But anyways, they legitimately were blown away. I didn't make any mistakes and they could 100% tell what I was playing and his gf said I played it with heart. They told me to keep it up and I'll be good before I know it. 

So the point of my story is that the the fiddle world is definitely a small one and my confidence that I CAN learn this thing has drastically risen all because of last night. I'm going to try and start playing with my "acquaintance" so I can hang around a fellow fiddler. As for my friend who's a professional, he said he'll play along side me no matter what I learn. So it should be fun if I just get my act together and practice, practice, practice!