Aloha @coolpinkone,

I figure that if you have the notes, why not use them?  I really like the low G, but didn't want to get too crazy, so I kept it in 1st position, at least.  I do like the range, but I also want to work on string crossings and finger positions.  In my case, my 1st and 2nd fingers really like the major key positions, so I wanted to start off with something in a minor key, so that I can work on the space between the 2nd and 3rd fingers.  That is a source of constant irritation for me - my inability to get the 1st and 2nd fingers to use the half note distance vice the whole note distance.  I may end up writing more tunes in minor keys.

Aloha @Fiddlerman,

Thanks for your response, but I could never root for the Dolphins, even though they're AFC.  I was born in Tampa and a Buccaneers fan 'til I die! Arrrrrrrrrrhhhhhh!   Anyway, I've been here before (1983-1997).  I just thought that after Tony Dungy got the team turned around, we would never again venture into the "dark ages."  We have had no consistency following the Super Bowl win, but there's hope that the team now, at least the defense, is buying into Coach Smith's system.  I just wish he wasn't to stubborn as to keep putting Josh McCown back in as the starter.  Three of the four turnovers in the last game were directly attributable to McCown.  Oh well, this is really for another forum on another day 

When you say "looking forward to seeing your composition", are you referencing see me play it?  That may take a while.  As I mentioned before, I can hear it in my head, but when I try to play it ...... it just doesn't sound right.   One of these days, I'll be able to play it like I hear it.  I've renamed one "iBud's reel" and I can do the simple version.  I may just record that one and post it.

I would love it if anyone else here wanted to try out one of my tunes, record it, then post in on this site.  I'll see if I can write something a bit easier, so that I can do the same.

Oh, and for everyone here, I would just like to wish y'all a very Happy Thanksgiving! I would once again like to give thanks to our illustrious leader, @Fiddlerman, for providing us this forum, as well as everything else on his website and storefront.  If not for Fiddlerman.com, I wouldn't have even considered picking up a violin (or fiddle, or viddle - I can't keep track of what to call it ).  With all the craziness going on in the world, like what's happening in Ferguson, this site is a very welcome respite.

 Aloha @Fiddlerman,

I attached in in the original post in this thread.  I wrote four tunes and posted them all.  They should still be attached in the first post of each thread.  If they are not there, please let me know and I can zag it to you in email.

Aloha @Fiddlerman,

That's OK. Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family!

Aloha @DanielB,

Thanks for your response.  I was just playing around trying to work on problem areas for me (string crossings, fingerings, and such) and found a few patterns that struck my fancy.  I'll be working on more in the future.  Maybe I should just call them etudes, as that is what they've started being.  

I do like the badge.  Actually, I'm going to try to get a couple more.  They look really nice, but the one I would really like is the DIY badge.  I just have to learn a bit more and do something worthy of the badge first.  I'm actually thinking of ordering a bridge blank sometime in the future, to shape it for my fiddle.  I also need to nudge my sound post over a bit, but I don't have the proper tool and, to be honest, the idea of nudging my sound post (it's not quite vertical, but only just slightly off) really intimidates me.  That's a future project.

I have a question maybe you can answer.  I've seen both self-adjusting and fixed foot bridges.  What are the disadvantages to the self-adjusting bridges?  Not that I think sanding down the feet just a bit is too difficult, if done right, I don't seem to mind the idea of a self-adjusting bridge.  Also what are your thoughts of bridges with a ebony insert for the E string?  That sounds like a good idea, as the ebony is definitely harder than the wood of the bridge itself.  This would help prevent the E string from biting into the bridge.