I Want To Sound Like This

She's Baaaack

Miss Mona Violin came home from the luthier hospital today! And what a difference. She had a bridge-tuck operation (similar to a tummy-tuck  :D ) and is recuperating nicely. String crossings are much much easier and I can actually hit double stops now! Also the string height was lowered and is now set exactly to standard -- yes I measured to make sure -- which makes playing in higher positions actually doable.

The local  luthier did an outstanding job and charged me half what I thought would be the rock bottom price. And a week off did my arthritic finger a great deal of good.

All in all, it is a very good day in violin land!

For Suzuki Students

If you are a Suzuki student, you might want to check out violinist Jenny Yun's YouTube channel. She has playlists for several of the Suzuki books -- volumes one through five. There are no back track videos, but she plays each piece as it is written in the Suzuki books and it is much better listening than the Suzuki CDs. Plus is it much easier to select an individual video than to search the CD.

May not be for everyone, but take a look. You may like it. I know I do.

Here is a sample video from Volume One. Minuet One:

Leia Zhu. Such a great violinist at only 10 years old!

Mona is off to the Violin Hospital

I took Mona (my violin) in to the luthier for a much needed set-up. I specifically asked that the string height be adjusted but also gave them a free pass on doing what needs to be done to make her as playable as she can be. Holding my breath while Mona is in surgery.  :D

They don't have visiting hours, so I am pining away until I see her again. She should be coming home in a day or two.

A Bit of a Set-Back

I was practicing a song to post in a progress video which I had planned for February, 2017. BUT my body had different thoughts. I got a sudden flare-up of psoriatic arthritis in my index finger (left hand) and it has set me back a couple of months. It is very painful, and if I bend the finger too far, the tendon slips off to the side of the second knuckle. (ouch)

The swelling is going down and I have a bit more flexibility in it, although the tendon still threatens me. At any rate, I am now beginning to play again (gingerly) and am hoping to make a new video for posting in May. Wish me luck...gonna need it!

An awful rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Okay, here is my first song. It is HORRIBLE, but it is a start. Hopefully I will improve . . . with age? Get ready for a 42 second assault on your ears.

More inspiration from Taylor Davis

Lindsey Stirling is such an inspiration!

Crystallize

Welcome

Welcome to my semi-public humiliation. I am a 66 year old retiree who has taken up learning violin and I decided to blog my progress for the world to see (and laugh at). It is my hope that seeing my journey will an encouragement to others who are thinking of playing violin. It is not an easy instrument to learn, but it is a joy for all who are merely willing to accept the challenge.

If you are also learning, I would love to hear from you.