Paul C said

Thank you Emily.

I play the violin every day.

I've just got some work to do before it's ready for public consumption.

And the bow is definitely causing me the most difficulty.

I can play a few songs fairly fluidly, when I know them by ear and I can do scales pretty well by ear, for the most part. My bowing is improving but slowly.  I am still trying to learn to read but it just adds one more thing, so playing by ear is nuch more natural and relaxing.

As for playing the uke, I mainly play that because it's so easy on the fingers, easy to play quietly (this is a big one for me because someone is always watching tv etc in my house or something) so it allows me to quietly rehearse and just play for fun. I played guitar and electric bass for years, so moving to the mandolin was a big jump in finger stretching. This helps with that as well and of course with the violin.

I'm thinking I might play one of those songs on the vioin and share it for critique.  I know this group would give good feedback.

Thanks again for listening and giving feedback.

Public consumption. LOL

It's very nice. I enjoyed listening to it but will enjoy it even more later, I am sure.