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Garry Owen Rocks!
Go Custer!
Dave
PS I would love to help you with double stops, but I don't know a double stop from a door stop!
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What exactly are your concerns about double stops? Do you learn by listening or are you reading sheet music? What is common with fiddlers is that they finger one string and play another open. Do you have problems bowing two strings at once or getting a good sound from playing the double stops?
Generally you need slightly more bow pressure for double stops to get a good quality sound. If you are playing a melody on one string you need to apply more pressure on that string than the other. Make sure that your left hand fingers are not touching the other string that you are attempting to play unless intentionally.
I'll try to upload some pieces with double stops when I get a chance.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I find that when I play both strings open it sounds great. But when I start playing the melody on one of the strings I tend to put more pressure on one than the other.
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David double stops are when you play 2 strings at the same.
I think they call it that because when I play them, the tell me to stop twice as much.
Pierre, I tried more pressure this morning and played some scales and heard a big improvement ( don't have to think about the notes when I'm playing scales). Thanks for your help, it makes playing a lot more fun when I know what to work on.
Now if I can get a good sound while concentrating on the correct notes for the song.
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Wow, some great videos posted and some great songs you all are learning! Even the simple ones are awesome, because they are stepping stones to bigger and better things and will help you realize your potential.
The day I posted this thread I saw the posts about Nodame Cantabile and ended up watching the first 6 episodes. I'm now ready to start on episode 13. Thanks so much for opening my eyes to this wonderful, amazing series! It is great fun and very inspiring.
I was listening to NPR in my boyfriend's car on our way to a store yesterday and another song came on that I'd love to learn someday: Danse Macabre! Another one of my favorite classical pieces. I can't wait to try out a violin!
Once again thanks for your posts and have a great day!
Take care,
Ashra
Paul
A veteran once told me something about double stops that I did not understand but I do now. He said that all you need for a double stop is two strings. The other two don't matter.
He was telling me not to be afraid of hitting a string off center if that makes room for finger #2. Of course, this allows for maybe touching all four strings and only playing two if it comes to that....unlikely but could be.
There are double stops I could not play if neatness counts 
I forgot who told me that so now I can't even make a good report.
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Thanks Oliver, I understand what you are saying. The two other strings don't matter unless you touch them with the bow. My Maggini is set up for Fiddle (the bridge is cut shorter) it's easer to play double stops on it. The trade off is that it's harder to play only one string. It forces me to be more accurate when playing one string at a time.
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I don't blame you. Great concerto by all standards. 
We look forward to hearing it some day.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I've wanted to learn to play Two Steps From Hell's Heart of Courage for ages. That piece is just beautiful.
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I'm trying to get "Doxology" down and "The First Noel". Those two songs are at the top of my list. I'm doing okay on them, but I'm definitely not ready to record anything. Eek!
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My goal is Massenet's Mediation from Thais. I actually played this years ago, but never as beautifully as I would like.
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My goal is to upload a video of me playing Ode to Joy (beginner version) with a guitar backing track that I'm working on right now and have this uploaded here by the end of this week.
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I sure will upload the guitar track separate too. Barry, I have my Taylor acoustic out right now and am writing a very nice little one guitar track to go along in D with Ode to Joy. I have always played guitar by ear so please don't ask for the sheet music '-)
I have been practicing twinkle twinkle, lightly bow, amazing grace, campbell's farewell to the red gap, and over the rainbow. My next goal would be Ode to Joy and swan lake. The Christmas project? I will wait a little.
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myguitarnow said:
My goal is to upload a video of me playing Ode to Joy (beginner version) with a guitar backing track that I'm working on right now and have this uploaded here by the end of this week.
That is extremely nice of you MGN. We're lucky to have you in our family.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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New member here–this is a great site, Fiddleman!! And I'm gonna have to buy the $99 violin for my husband so he'll keep his mitts off mine!
I started playing about 4.5 years ago at the age of 46. I had grown up with the idea that you have to be born with musical talent, and since I can't carry a tune I figured I didn't have the natural talent to play an instrument, so why try? I did take some guitar lessons when I was 14, but I just didn't "get" it. Tried again in my early 40s because my husband and son play (my husband is a VERY good bluegrass fingerpicker!) but again it didn't click for me.
I think what really pushed me over the edge into playing violin was listening to a Joshua Bell CD I got at the library one day. I had no idea what to expect, but when I heard it, I said, "I gotta learn to do that!!" It was this song that did it (sorry–can't figure out how to embed the video.)
So I'm starting Suzuki book 4, but I haven't had a lesson in about a year (money, doncha know!) My song goals are "The Lark Ascending" (Hilary Hahn's version) and all the Bach solo Sonatas and Partitas. Tall order, I know, but I'm working hard, even if I can't afford lessons right now!
Thanks for this great site and all your videos.
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Hi Spingirl! I'm in Suzuki book 4 too!
My current goal is to get Seitz Concerto No. 5, 1st Mvt down. 
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Great to hear about your goals and your level as well.
For those of you interested in the sheet-music for this concerto, you'll have to accept a disclaimer here it is:
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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