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Hello everyone!!!
It is now the end of the House of the Rising Sun project, so many people are onto new songs and projects. (Don't forget the Summer Party).
What else are we working on, jamming with, or learning?
I am in overload again.. but that is my own doing. 
I can't stop trying new songs.
The good news is that if I play all my songs that I know in my head, and I can get in a good hour of playing. I CAN do appropriate scale before each tune, and work on straighter bowing while playing those tunes. (not saying I always do that.. but I can).
I am at one of those self teaching plateaus where I have to get disciplined and actually follow some advice,videos, and techniques and work in my method books or I will just stay where I am. (This has been the story of my journey, wanting to play verses practice and push hard)
My only Kudos for July 2015
- Slipping in the fourth finger pinky more, a bit...
- Playing more scales
- A little ear playing
- Straighter bowing
Songs that I just can't live without right now.
- Let it Be
- Yesterday
- Imagine
- Hey there Delilah.
Songs that I want to readdress and play.
- Hedwig's Theme
- Swan Lake, FM version
- Midnight on the Water
- Clair de Lune (for easy violin)
- Air on the G string (for easy violin)
Songs on the TBP list - (to be played)
- Think of Me (Phantom of the Opera)
- Favorite Things (Sound of Music)
- Love Me Like You Do
- My Immortal
- Smoke on the Water
- Lover's Waltz
Shifting and Vibrato Practice... Must happen soon for me... A few of my songs that I play have a bit of shifting, but I want to just jump in and be there... NOW!!! 
Happy Summer everyone...(I think it is winter in some places... so Happy July and August)
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
Regulars
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Good for you !!! focused, very focused !!
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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I love it Toni, This is a good way to advance. Set goals and determine strategy. And I hope, enjoy yourself along the way!!!
Thanks for sharing your very interesting goals with us.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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My goal would be to get back into regular practice and finish up some tunes that I can play up to the last few measures.
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@Ripton Very cool on your goals... You can do it man!!!
Thanks Pierre and Barry... I find that the list really helps me out at this point and time.
I have stacks of music and in my binder... I try to keep my music stand loaded with my current "tunes" (wink)....
But them my adult brain hears a "tune" ..and I am like..."OH SHINY" and off I go..... So the list helps.
I am learning that I have to listen to my music and trying things... I can sit and play Godfather the exact same way and nothing changes. But now I break down sections and try different things with the bow... (keeping it straight.. How 'bout that notion?)
I am taking some tunes like Godfather, Ashokan, and my new songs and trying out different techniques.. up bow, down bow, same bow... you know....?
Anyway.. the lists and goals HELP... woot woot... who's next? Goals and Violin "tune" talk.....
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Well I have to come clean. I'm cheating on my violin. I love it so much that I just couldn't contain my love anymore so I decided to learn the cello as well. The cello won me over immediately, so I'm now splitting my time between my 2 loves (oh yeah and the husband and kids, they still come first).
House of the rising sun was a nasty wake up call that I sound much better in my head than in reality. But when I don't have to listen or watch playback I'm having the most wonderful time playing and getting lost in the music. The project did make me realize how awful my bowing was so now I'm trying really hard to stop bowing from the shoulder.
For the violin I bought a John Williams movie music book that came with listening tracks as well as play along tracks with the violin removed. Unfortunately most of the songs are pretty far out of my reach, but I think I will pick one to concentrate on and just work my way through. I downloaded the free anytune app so I can slow down the play along tracks as much as I need and then slowly work up to speed. So far that's been a huge help.
As for cello I can't believe how much of a head start violin has given me. I'm having so much fun with it, working my way through essential elements 1 and Suzuki 1.
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My goals are:
More structured practice: open string bowing, scales and a variety of music, different keys and tempos.
I would like to start on something fast, like a reel, even if it is at glacial speed at first.
Make videos to analyze and post here.
Have fun 
@Just4Fun, I was seduced by the cello as well. I love all the strings, but the range of the cello is especially beautiful. My only objection is size. So....electric 
I agree about the violin helping with other strings. I've been concentrating on the violin, but have a viola as well. Occasionally I pick it up and find I've improved - without any practice! The cello isn't quite as close a match, but there is still lots of common ground. Enjoy your new love!
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I also tend to load up my binder with sheet music I want to learn. It's a great idea to list out violin goals to allow for more focus, so here it is for July-August!
General techniques and things to watch out for:
Hold left hand in correct position, with fingers at proper angle
Proper bow hold; don't grip bow too tightly
Relaxed right wrist; fluid wrist motions
Don't bow with shoulder; use elbow more than shoulder
Intonation!
Notes with 4th finger (first position)
Notes with high 3rd finger (first position)
Practice selected Suzuki and O'Connor pieces along with accompaniment recordings
Exercises:
Scales: A major, D major, G major; 1-octave each
Arpeggios: A major (p 30 of Suzuki book 1)
4th finger exercises: p 32 of Suzuki book 1; Aura Lee excerpt
High 3rd finger exercise: Hot Cross Buns (starting on D# on A string)
Review pieces (play in D and G as well as A major):
Suzuki 1.1: Twinkle variations
French folk song
Pieces actively playing (already memorized; emphasis on left hand position, bow hold, bow technique, intonation; practice with accompaniment recordings):
Suzuki 1.2: Lightly Row
Suzuki 1.3: Song of the Wind
Suzuki 1.4: Go Tell Aunt Rhody
Suzuki 1.5: O Come, Little Children
O'Connor 1.1: Boil 'em Cabbage Down variations 1-3
Pieces actively playing (emphasis on intonation, mastering the fingering, and memorizing the tunes):
Suzuki 1.6: May Song
Suzuki 1.7: Long, Long Ago
Suzuki 1.8: Allegro
New pieces to learn:
Suzuki 1.9: Perpetual Motion (exercise 4th finger)
Suzuki 1.10: Allegretto (exercise 4th finger)
Harmony parts for Suzuki 1.2 and 1.3 (exercise high 3rd finger)
Two sea shanties (exercise high 3rd finger) (for Play like a Pirate project on Fiddlerman forum)
One or two additional selections from Mark O'Connor Violin Method Book 1
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My goals are to free up some time and to make more learning videos.
Hopefully find time to practice too.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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@Fidelestre - very detailed goals... (I have to borrow a few of yours and implement).
@LindaMc - Great goals.. I am looking forward to your posts.
@Just4Fun - Cool on the Cello.. I was seduced by the Cello as well... I still long for it and I miss sitting there just bowing open beautiful notes. I wanted to focus on violin and I gave up the cello. The movie music books sounds very cool.
@Fiddlerman - More more time, more videos, more practice. Good luck with that buddy! 
Thanks for all the posts, its great to hear what everyone is working on, it provides such good motivation.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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My goals:
Visible progress in a month's time from first video
Attend beginner group for folk fiddle
Form plan for when I'll play live for the first time (likely to be one of the regular barn dances that the beginners play at but not sure which one yet until I attend for the first time this week)
Play more to backing tracks in general, and get a bluegrass book with backing tracks
Spend some quality time practicing bowing action, and not just tinkling around on tunes
Spend some quality time practicing scales, and not just tinkling around on tunes
Find a shoulder rest that is actually comfortable
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One more goal: vibrato!! When I try it sounds like a dying animal, LOL!
@LindaMc : would that animal happen to be a cat ? Don't feel bad, I can't do it either.
Ken.
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Speaking of torturing cats, years ago I was listening to the radio, and a Mariah Carey song came one. I can't stand her screeching, and was about to change the station, when I saw both of my cats had their ears pinned to their heads. Out of curiosity, I kept the song on. The cats looked increasingly distressed, and when Carey hit a high note, they took off, flying up the stairs. I found them both hiding under my bed!
When I practice the fiddle, my current cats sometimes walk out of the room, but not in a panic, so I guess I play better than Mariah Carey sings, at least to feline ears.
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Too funny @LindaMc
Everyone is posting great goals. I have been floundering a bit on direction. The change in my life at present? Am I going to blame it on a very welcomed guest - the Traveler!?!
Or is it the moving out of my daughter, her hubby and my grandson? Equals more time? I don't have to search for a time to practice?
Or is it because I have missed jam for 3 weeks? Did attend last night YAY!! You know may have just figured something out. The jam sessions = very important in keeping me aimed in the right direction!!
New goals? - Don't miss a jam and develop a practice time?
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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LOL @LindaMc - so funny ! And @Schaick - with the early summer mornings still here, I'm planning do do a much more frequent practice session on SJ - the "good thing" about that is that viewers are mostly states-side and at 8am in the morning (here) it could be anywhere between midnight and 2am across the water - so it's not like I'm going to get bombarded by viewers - today I had only two - one said nothing, the second one was communicative - cool.... and I did flag the performance as "practice" - but for him, once he messaged and interacted, I played one or two of my "party pieces" - so I do know what you mean (even got a tip, wasn't expected or required!). It's easy for me (usually) because whatever work I still do, I do it mostly from home - and I can fit in a number of 20 to 30 minute practice sessions per day - at times of my own choosing. If your circumstances are less flexible than mine - then - yep - I do think a daily regime is a good idea - and indeed it should not be looked upon as a "chore that has to be done", rather, as a time for your self, to express yourself, learn, and progress ! I have little opportunity here for jam sessions - it just doesn't happen within any sensible travelling distance - but you should ( and clearly do ) take advantage of them ! Great stuff !
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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@BillyG so very very cool that you are doing some Street Jelly "practice" shows. I am looking forward to the days when I can play in little increments all day... but retirement is 13 years away for me... so I get what I can take. I need to start a new thing at my house. My house is empty by 640 am... so I could do a 645 - 7:30 practice in the am, if I just got up about 30 minutes earlier. I might consider this.
@Schaick - yep the Traveller is indeed a distraction.. Oh take me back to those days.
@Reptile Smile awesome goals... I agree with "no tinkering"
@LindaMc - ha ha funny story
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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coolpinkone said
..... My house is empty by 640 am... so I could do a 645 - 7:30 practice in the am, if I just got up about 30 minutes earlier. I might consider this.
It's not a bad idea CPO - just depends how much of a "morning person" you are - LOL - still need your wits about you - half-asleep doesn't work ( that's too much like a "chore" ) - but personally, I find it OK. ( Early to bed, early to rise, makes us all healthy, wealthy and wise - well I just don't know about THAT - but most days, early mornings are great for me, and although well awake and "centered" I'm still aware of my dream-state where I can play like the best of them LOLOLOLOL - then reality hits home - I guess it's always something to aim for )
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh -
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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@BillyG I haven't got it squared away completely for morning playing. I have played a little a couple days this week. It upsets my dog... he thinks... "ARE YOU GOING TO WORK OR WHAT?" ha ha.. because he watches me get ready for work and then he gets all mopey and then I play the violin.. (he hates, but at least I am home.. lol).
Anyway.. playing in the morning does leave me less lonely for violin while I am stuck at my desk for 9 hours.
I always look for more time to play...
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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OK, I'm back on track! That July 22 Jam I only played back up, missed the next week but was able to go this week. I wrote about it on a thread called A Twist on Burning Out from Violin Stress. Basically I also need to force myself to lead!!
Fine tune - speed up Bill Cheatam, Over the Waterfall and Clinch Mountain Backstep.
Anyway a new Goal - a BIG ONE!! Learn this tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....MD95CopUmA
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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