Violin sound.

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks rob; I wear my bad luck like an halo; every time I try to do something I'm blocked; if only I could relax in peace I could enjoy retirement and potter around in the studio and workshop; I've got a well equipped workshop so making a shoulder rest should be very easy if only I could get in there. We've just returned from Rotherham and we weren't in the least surprised to catch most traffic lights at amber; to add insult to injury the last set of temporary traffic lights just up the lane stopped us at amber and they are four way lights; pity I can't play my violin in the car.

I'm delighted our TV has indulged us with its presence but here's my email;




Virgin Media technician is due later today I hope he actually arrives because I'm considering introducing my sledge hammer.

I intend to enjoy a violin practice this afternoon but daren't say it too loudly.



I think I've got enough kit to make a shoulder rest from scratch if only I could get in there in peace.

I've watched many YouTube videos rob showing home made shoulder rests; the bought shoulder rests have very little contact with the violin body but I wonder how home made shoulder rests with contact on the violin base alter the sound? It's not helping now the weather has turned so cold and from Wednesday we might enjoy a bit of snow.

I hope the VM technician is better than VM promises so far.

UPDATE.

It's now 2:39pm and I've given up hope of violin playing today; a letter made sure of this; contact appointments to book a specialist appointment online with Ref No. plus code which I've done; what a surprise; no appointments available at the stated hospital and no choice of hospital either; forget playing violins spend time playing around with our once top notch NHS. If no contact by 31st Jan ring this number? Appointment not for me.

I've got every respect for our NHS and will never call them but something serious needs doing to sort it out. It's burst my bubble for today but I can dream for better luck tomorrow although the Virgin Media technician will interrupt my day; 70 years ago at the age of 5 we never suffered such problems because we didn't have electricity in our cottage. 16 months and counting trying to get violin time in peace; I've no intention of quitting.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Slouching Raymond]

That's an amazing workshop Colin.
I seem to recall seeing violinists place some folded fabric under their chins to rest the violin on for comfort.
Look on the bright side, no internet - no football.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Many thanks Raymond;



There are lots of these on eBay very cheaply. At the moment I use a thick towel folded twice which I place on my shoulder; not perfect but better than nothing.

We were up at 7 o'clock this morning because the Virgin Media guy is due between 8:00 & 12:00 will he arrive? On the phone to VM last Wednesday it was arranged this guy would be here last Saturday but later on Wednesday I received an email stating Tuesday; 6 days of hassle and two wasted days not sure when to expect this guy; terrible service; VM are possibly busy looking after installing new customers at much reduced cost than looking after their customers like us who have been with them over 30 years.

Strangely Raymond our broadband going down didn't also take the dreaded football with it; normal rubbish TV could still be viewed after all nothing can stop this football can it; I wonder what would happen if adverts kept being shown during a live football match. Good job we've got lots of movies on memory sticks or our TV might have been bricked by now.

Unable to get into the studio in peace it's pointless even trying to get into the workshop to make a bespoke shoulder rest so I've finally bought a Bonmusica shoulder rest which should arrive shortly it cost £61 including delivery.

Yet another messed up day; had I put the studio heating on and started to play my violin this morning the VM guy would arrive with perfect timing to drag me out of the studio; I'm still dreaming of a bit of peace though.

Thanks for your kind comment about my workshop Raymond; I can make anything from wood or metal;





Here's the new front door under way to fit the new porch I was making and installing; I really need a much larger workshop. Just passing time on awaiting VM to visit.

UPDATE:

Virgin Media guy arrived 12:10; how typical of my luck having received three emails stating here between 8:00 & 12:00; cable connections at fault meaning snipping end off cables and remaking the connections he departed at 12:45. All day last Saturday and this morning just to get this problem sorted out; terrible service having to wait six days. I've got the rest of the day to myself but now I can't be bothered but just to keep me busy the bathroom new heater has just arrived so after a mug of tea I'll install it. Anything at all to prevent me getting into the studio. Not much violin sound coming out of my studio.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Still no studio time; I installed the bathroom fan heater yesterday afternoon it only taking ten minutes thinking at last clear for a bit of violin practice today. It's taken two and an half hours to compose an email to our friends in Australia this morning and I've just finally sent it; three visitors and a phone call the phone call cut short due to visitors so will be continued later today. I'm looking forward to the Bon Musica shoulder rest arriving; I'm thinking of having it framed to remind me that I have the studio; I've really started something when I decided to learn to play a violin; in-between all these interruptions I keep popping onto YouTube to view violin tutorials; it's pointless putting the heating on in the studio when I can't get in there. Now dinnertime rapidly approaching; scrub today.

It's now 6:52pm; the Virgin Media technician was here yesterday and we've just had YouTube go down again also problems with emails; if I'm jinxed with violins time to mess around with the jinx; I've bought a set of South American Panpipes; if I can't play my violins which I've been trying to do for the last 16 months lets try something else I'm sick of this constant bad luck and sick of moaning. Now I'm having problems saving this; it's driving me mad.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

A bit of good news for a change; the new Bon Musica shoulder rest has arrived this morning from Thomann and I'm looking forward to trying it out this weekend; I've not yet fitted it to my violin but just placing it loose on my shoulder it has excellent grip and because it's extra long it goes over my shoulder hopefully preventing my violin dropping downwards.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

It's so cold at just above freezing and with heavy snow forecast I'm not spending any time in the studio. This morning however still keen to learn I settled down with the "The little book of music theory" expecting to learn more about playing my violins but I was soon lost unable to understand it; I openly admit I'm a novice but it just didn't seem right for violin playing possibly more for piano and guitar? The only reference I could find regarding violins was on page 121 and it is extremely brief. The notes don't seem to make sense for a violin; here's what I do understand;



I've got a book "Learn to play a violin in fourteen days" so I'll work through this; I did start and was making slow progress with this book in the studio but it's simply too cold to carry on at the moment; I'll resume though as soon as this bitterly cold spell lets up.

I can't even replace our faulty bathroom fan heater without a problem; the fan heater is a Dimplex and at least the third identical heater bought over the years; it only took ten minutes to install the new heater because all fittings and fixtures are identical; yesterday afternoon into the bathroom to enjoy a good long hot soak; I shaved and was just enjoying the soak when the fan heater quit allowing the bathroom to cool down rapidly it sure was cold; everything I do or touch these days has a problem; this new fan heater now has an inbuilt timer turning it off after 30 minutes; I'm all for safety but now I'm expected to die of frostbite whilst having a bath. GRRRRR.

Quick update;

I've just bought through eBay "How to play a violin; a beginners guide" and also "Violin for dummies". If we get snowed in at least I'll have something interesting to read. Before the computer when first married I learned a great deal through books and at the time was a member of "The craftsman book society" where I could buy heavily discounted books as long as I bought at least two books each month; these books have saved us a fortune over the years by learning new skills.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[rob aylestone]

The range of notes you have put up is what I've always understood. Sometimes, people shunt the notes up a whole octave so the bottom G sits on the second line up G. Working on the assumption beginners will never play very high. There is actually a way of notating you've done this - a teeny little 8 near the clef - which, depending on where it is, signifies and octave up or down.

This 30 minute thing annoys be greatly. If you buy a coffee machine from Argos - a filter type, it powers down after 30 minutes - same Euro rule and damn stupid. I hard wired the timer out of mine, and then it's happy keeping the coffee warm all day. Who would drink 6 cups in half an hour otherwise?

 

[Slouching Raymond]

The little book is general Colin, and not tied to any instrument. It helps to visualise a keyboard, when thinking about notes.
My kitchen thermometers said Less than 4 degrees C, and 8 degrees C today, so I average them. That means the whole house was
freezing today, so I lit the woodburner at around 3pm. Takes the edge off it. Also swapped my duvet for a thicker one last night.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks for the information rob; in future if I see a tiny 8 near the clef I'll understand what it is; I like to learn something new every day. My problem is kindly solved by Raymond below. Safety of course is paramount but these days it's being taken too far; deoesn't anyone have a bit of common sense these days and what's happened to training; aged 15 working in the pit I was taught strict safety rules but even without this training I instinctively knew to poke a finger into a huge machine running under power wouldn't do my finger much good but now everything is covered in lots of safety stickers which I doubt few will actually read. I'm very safety conscious working with mains electricity and to hard wire the fan heater could result in lots of trouble if there was a fire caused by the fan heater and it was inspected it would possibly invalidate our home insurance; I'll not hard wire the fan heater but I do have the identical model but without the timer so I could swap the controls; I don't recommend others to do this but I don't want to freeze to death either whilst having a bath. By what you say rob these timers are now appearing on a number of new electrical appliances.

Thanks for the explanation Raymond regarding the book; I thought I was losing the plot because being new to playing a musical instrument and having learned a bit regarding music scores for a violin the book completely baffled me making me think I was missing something; I am making slow progress at reading music scores which I'm finding interesting and all help received is highly appreciated; I'm watching lots of violin tutorial videos on YouTube but with such a short term memory find it difficult to remember what is being taught so I have to keep going over and over but with a book I can simply turn a page to back track.

8 degrees is very low for indoors Raymond you must be a lot tougher than I am; all day our central heating is on and to give it a boost when we get up each morning we also put the gas fire on; we turn everything off at night as we go to bed but the central heating comes on automatically if the rooms drop below 5C; we don't care what our energy bills cost we're going to be warm although because it is so cold I've only got back ground heating on in the studio; I don't see the point of heating the studio all day just for a couple of 2 hour practices; I'll wait until this cold spell passes by; in the meantime I can study reading music hopefully aided by the two tutorial violin books I've just bought once they arrive. We have a nice duvet but also had had an electric under-blanket for many years; this blanket can be left switched on all night at reduced setting in extreme cold weather; we replace the electric blanket at around 5 years for safety; these blankets are wonderful and cheaply available from Argos. Our weather is going to be hovering around freezing during the day for at least a week but next Friday it's forecast a scorching 3C.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[revnice1]

Kill the Reverb!

Reverb prolongs the note, especially the way you have it set. That makes the previous note blend into the next one because the reverb continues to decay after you've stopped playing. Reasons for using reverb:

1) To replace the natural reverb that's lost when you use a cable instead of a microphone.
2) To make multiple players sound as if they're in the same place. You don't want one sounding as if he's in a toilet and another sounding as if he's in a cathedral. Settings should be the same for all
3) Reverb tends to accumulate so a four part harmony will require less for each than if you only had one voice.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks for this very useful advice and explanation @revnice1 I fully admit I'm at a loss trying to adjust the Yamaha THR10 amp controls having tried all kinds of settings; I've so much to learn all at once and now the weather has turned bitterly cold I don't feel like doing anything but a well earned rest won't hurt me. I've also just received a new Bonmusica shoulder rest I want to try. I've always said we have 9 month long winter with 3 month bad weather here in Yorkshire; by the time warmer weather does grace us with its presence I'm back into bungalow and garden maintenance; what a life but I'm still here battling on and getting older.

Here are the current amp settings and I'll knock the reverb completely off because I'm using a line 6 relay. Any other suggestions will be most welcome because I've spent a lot of time playing with the amp settings.

I've just braved going up our very steep rear garden to post a Christmas card; it's bitterly cold and icy; I'm getting soft.



Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

However hard I try to play my violins I get messed around. With an outside temperature this morning of minus 2C it's perishingly cold; I turned the studio heating up to full first thing this morning not having tried to play my violins for a couple of weeks; enough is enough I want to learn to play; I wandered into the studio at 10:30 but after a short while had to quit; my fingers were so cold I had problems trying to fit the new Bonmusica shoulder rest to my Yamaha YEV 104 violin. I need a Lancashire boiler. I turned the radiator back down just to give low background heating and departed; even the studio door is now sticking a bit and rubbing the carpet so just another problem to sort out.

I then settled down with my wife and put violin love song music via YouTube on the TV then started to read "How to play the violin" by Cynthia Riess & Jason Randall.



My bad luck hangs over me like an halo; pages from 31 to page 55 show this error at the top of each page; I don't have a clue what this means and I want to learn to play a violin but not from a book showing Error. One book for recycling.

I'll never give up and now I'll start reading "Violins for dummies".

Every day is trouble; Virgin Media playing up and still drops offline whilst watching a YouTube video or displaying the "Loading" message; the VM technician has already visited but the problem persists. Yesterday I decided to check our CCTV; am I surprised it stopped recording on the 8th of this month with no playback; it costs us £130 per year to cover insurance so I contacted the company and what a palaver; they couldn't understand why all four cameras had stopped recording so following instructions I went through all connections but because of the number of cables etc involved it was taking forever so we hung up and I was to phone back later on their 0800 number. All connections were secure so after lots of hassle tracing cables and playing with connections I switched the lot off in disgust; by now I'd had enough. Having waited five minutes I switched the CCTV back on and it's recording again so no playback from the 8th until yesterday when I bump started it. £1,800 to have this high end CCTV installed professionally. Why couldn't the CCTV company tell me to do this rather than mess me around for ages with connections. A technician would visit if it couldn't be easily sorted out.

All my gear is in the studio where there are lots of sockets and I don't want to practice near my wife who deserves some peace not listening to me so I'm quitting trying to play my violins until I can get into the studio without bankrupting us for heating or suffering cold hands; as I say I'll never give up trying to play my violins but now I'll play them on my terms. In the meantime I can read violin tutorials and play tutorials on YouTube; my wife would never complain and she's happy to watch the tutorials with me.

Once I start something I never stop until it's successfully completed and so it's going to be with learning to play the violin; it's just put on hold for a while and I'll return to it.

Sorry if this is a moan but it's unbelievable living here with constant problems tormenting us.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[rob aylestone]

These things are just part of the connected age collin - is that error message actually printed on a real book? probably a re-print run and nobody noticed the didgy code in the alternatev page header. I'd keep it because mistakes like this can make old books rarer and more valuable if they only printed a few before noticing.

On the other problem, 99% of computer issues are at the user end, and even if you are totally comfy with computers, which I expect you aren't, this sort of thing happens, and restarting, rebooting, resetting are all just how they are. Those folk who use computer control of their home lights and power have persistent issues. My office burglar alarm routinely tells me the internet died in the early hours and switched to cellular backup, then ten minutes later connection is restored. Happens four or five times a month. The broadband supply people tell me they have no record of an outage, but clearly my burglar alarm notices.

I've never found tutorials without the gadget near me very helpful - by the time I'm ready, I have forgotten. I have my double bass in the living room, on a stand. I try, when home to play for ten minutes every day. No music, but just random bits and pieces from memory to keep my muscle memory current. Tuning and dexterity are the key - for me, NEVER a long practice, unless I'm doing something very specific. Play your electric violin on a whim - when there's something boring going on. Little and often. Pick it up and play, then put it down again - so it's familiar and you don't have to think.

 

[TalismanRich]

Colin,

I'm curious about how loud your violin is if you play unamplified. I would suspect that it would be about like when I play one of my electric guitars without being plugged in, which is probably 80% of the time. It wouldn't be enough to annoy anyone in the next room.

I keep a guitar next to the chair in the den. I'll pick it up while I'm watching TV, relaxing, whenever I get the urge to play. I learn by doing. It's like when I learned to type. We all sat at our Underwood typewriters in class and practiced: AAA SSS DDD TTT GGG VVV The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over The Lazy Dog. .... until our fingers became accustomed to moving to the target letters. I could have read volumes about how to type, but it would never have helped me gain the skill.

Bring your violin inside where it's warm and cozy and get used to the feel of it. It might be worth talking to a music teacher, maybe a few lessons just to get you on a path. Waiting until the spring thaw comes won't lead to any progress.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks rob for your tips and suggestions. Yes the book is printed clearly showing the error message on each page as seen in the picture; the book is now ripped into two halves and has a new home in the recycling bin; I'm just so fed up of things going wrong every time I try to get into the studio; I've tried playing the violin in my office which is our converted entrance hall but it's too cramped. I've had a computer for over 22 years and understand they can be temperamental in the extreme but we do have cable problems living here; a number of times I've phoned VM only to receive an automated reply stating the fault is at their end and they are working hard to resolve it.

Here's a corker of a story regarding Virgin Media technicians; many years ago I actually bought a brand new mobile phone through eBay and it broke my heart to put £10 credit onto it; the only time I'd ever use it was to phone home just before departing from Rufforth Auto Jumble the first Saturday of each month so it was only ever used for less than a minute each month. I'm not kidding about my luck; the very first time I used this phone it was ringing our number and kept trying; I was very worried because I know our landline is seldom used and thinking the worst set off as quickly as I could but ran into gridlock down the M1 motorway adding to my anxiety.

When I arrived home my wife said I've been expecting you to phone; she was well which was a huge relief; I then stood in our front room and once again tried to ring our landline; the mobile was ringing as if all was well but our landline had died; my luck never changes; onto VM and they sent a technician out who couldn't resolve the problem so a while later he was joined by a second technician; still they couldn't resolve the problem but now informed us we would be without landline for over three weeks; the road had to come up and before this could be done an application had to be submitted to our local council?

When they departed I was resourceful and obtained the private email address of the CEO and sent a long polite email explaining the problem; WOW; the area supervisor was quickly here apologizing saying he'd looked at the control box located at the bottom of our path but would it be OK if he left us to check the main control down the lane; a few minutes later our landline was ringing and it was this supervisor checking all was well; he then went to town checking every connection to the point of replacing lots of VM equipment including all the broadband equipment; whilst he was doing this the landline rang again and this time it was the CEO's personal assistant who really was lovely on the phone making absolutely sure we were happy and apologizing for our inconvenience; before hanging up she gave us her direct phone number; I wonder if the two previous technicians got another job. We've been with VM for over 30 years and most of that time has been without issue but lately things have gone downhill; yes it could be our end at fault but if so why can't the technicians fix it?

I'm very familiar with computer problems and try everything before contacting VM which is a real pain so I avoid doing this until I have to. VM are like other ISP's busy falling over themselves looking after new low paying customers rather than looking after existing customers; a new high speed fiber cable is being laid down the lane by I think O2; when our VM contract is about to expire I'll be looking at O2 as an alternative.

Without going into detail there's illness in the family meaning I'm limited to playing in the studio and as I say my office isn't suitable; once this really cold weather lets up I should be OK.

Thanks @TalismanRich; my Yamaha is classed as a silent violin and as you say if played in one room wouldn't annoy someone in the next room; I've tried playing it without amp and even with amp and phones in the office but the office is just too small; we live in a detached bungalow and to play in our spare bedroom would be even more difficult than playing in the studio due to heating; it's frustrating because my office is always cosy due to having the free running radiator without TRV. My acoustic German 1880 violin is loud so only played in the studio; the studio is the furthest point away from our front room so playing in there troubles no one. I've even tried setting up a small temporary table in the office but then couldn't reach the front door when the bell rang; sounds like a lot of excuses not to play my violins but I've got a lovely studio I'm keen to use; I do want to learn and is why I've bought tutorial books at least reading and watching YouTube videos is better than nothing; 3 hours with the studio CH radiator full on this morning for what; just to increase an already expensive gas bill.

My workshop which is the converted garage beneath the bungalow is usually comfortable but I've got a Howard Bulldog Petrol rotavator in bits on the benches and with all the machinery etc it's not really a place to be playing expensive violins also by the time I get down to the workshop wrapped up like an Eskimo I'm already cold. we've often discussed moving to a much smaller bungalow with smaller gardens but it's taken us 35 years to improve our bungalow to such a wonderful home and we don't want to let it go. I've considered taking violin lessons but as I say there's illness in the family hence for years the only time I've been away from home alone has been to visit Rufforth Auto Jumble and this is why I decided to buy a mobile phone in order to check all was well at home. Life is difficult with hospital and surgery appointments plus endless annoying problems which never ever let up; if I tried to shoot myself I'd miss.

We live on the very exposed steep valley side subject to extreme weather; I've installed Pilkington "K" sealed units to the bungalow front and there is 12" of loft insulation; it gets so cold here even with the CH full on we also use the high efficiency gas fire too. Moving to a desert island would be nice.

It won't be frozen forever and I'm not under pressure to learn to play a violin; I will eventually succeed.

Thanks everyone for your kindness and suggestions which I truly appreciate.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

It's not all doom and gloom; weather forecast for a bit of warmer weather soon in the meantime I've got Panpipes due to arrive tomorrow to play around with.




One answer to better heating the studio will be to bring up the fan heater from the workshop to boost the CH radiator; the radiator at the moment is overwhelmed by this bitterly cold weather; I feel more cheerful; I'll get into the studio on Monday and take it from there.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Slouching Raymond]

Cheer up Colin, it could be worse, ...just.
I keep an acoustic guitar in my kitchen, along with a comfy hand made bar stool to sit and play it on.
A friend of my brother asked for one of my drawings, so I had one framed and gave it to her.
Some years later she gave me this very nice hand made bar stool, made by her woodwork enthusiast husband.
I've had it around 30 years now, and is perfect for playing acoustic guitar on. Even took it to a gig once.

As for your computer problems, experience tells me 'It is always the software!'.
Looks like next week will be a bit warmer.
I have a couple of clarinets, so was trying to learn the fingering.
For some time I had one with just the two middle sections assembled, and kept it near my couch to practice fingering.
Nothing there to blow into, and silent.

 

[rob aylestone]

Gheorghe Zamfir and his pan pipes were everywhere in the 70s - and to be honest I hoped they'd never resurface. Mind you - you have the reverb, so it might be less painful. I think Raymond and I are pointing you to casual practice over rigid sessions. Play till you feel like stopping, but do it regularly. The secret to the sort of playing that is fun is to get your aural side and the physical side in a balance. All those songs you know off by heart - learn to identify how the melodies use intervals. Then if you find the starting note, you will begin to instinctively know what the next note is in your head. This I think is what Raymond is doing with his half assembled, silent clarinet. with repeated exposure you can identify the distance between two points. Like your Lara's Theme. If the first note was C then the second would be Eb, but if the first note was A, what would the second be to be the same distance away - C. This is important because on a violin it is easy to play in keys that have the open string notes. If you then need to play in a key with no open notes, you'll be discovering notes your fingers will never have played before. On string instruments - they have positions where your hand goes that allow the fingers to play almost any note. The snag with teaching yourself is there's no teacher to move you from stage 1 to stage 2. Earlier you mentioned there are no teachers near you, but that is probably not the case. It really would be so useful to just have a lesson or two to get rid of bad habbits and perhaps make your life easier and stave off aches and pains. I've got lots of contacts - I could always ask about if you send me your post code, and see if there are any suitable ones worth talking to? I really think it would be money well spent.

 

[Slouching Raymond]

My dad learnt to swim from a book.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks Raymond; a fair exchange a drawing by you for a hand made bar stool both special because they are unique. I wonder how many bar stools aged 30 are still around. Computers are good until they go wrong; I'll never ever trust anything that has a circuit board or battery fitted. I have a friend who has a clarinet but not played it for years because now aged 82 he finds it's too much effort for him. I hope I've got enough puff to play the panpipes when they arrive. Your dad did well to learn to swim from a book; a good way to remain dry; I had a couple of swimming lessons whilst at school and remember the tiles as I went down; I still can't swim; I usually get wet enough living here in Yorkshire.

Thanks rob; I'll happily take yours and Raymond's advice just playing as it suits me; my dream is to play Lara's Theme to correct tune but the last few times in the studio I've also enjoyed Amazing Grace just playing by ear for the fun of it and enjoyed myself; I'm grasping the basics of reading music so at least I'm still making slow but positive progress. Would the second note to A be B flat? I'm just looking at the fingering chart; I keep practicing notes on each string and picking it up also I'm starting to notice difference in notes.

Following your previous kind suggestions I've been practicing sharps & flats so it's coming together; a huge thank you too for your kind offer of helping me to find a local violin tutor; I browsed the web last night and there looks to be a suitable tutor living in Golcar which is easily accessible for me;

http://gavinwilsonprivatemusictuition.com/

At the moment I don't want to venture out unless I have to; I've visited three supermarkets and delivered Christmas prezzies to the surgery this morning; the car was displaying minus 7.5C. Ideally I'd like a music teacher to visit me in my studio then I could be set up correctly because I'd like lots of expert information on how to adjust things like my Yamaha THR amp plus other gear I have also put the problem of shoulder rest to bed which I'm struggling with although I've now got a new Bonmusica shoulder rest but need to play around with it. I fully appreciate both yours and Raymond's advice which I do listen to with great interest.

I don't like giving out too much personal information but it might seem I'm finding many excuses in order not to practice playing my violins; there's just my wife and myself no kids and no families; my wife has been unwell for about 40 years; not life threatening but with huge impact on our daily lives; my wife has increasing difficulties resulting in surgery and hospital visits currently three hospitals and I don't like leaving her home alone in case she takes a serious tumble us living pretty isolated in our detached bungalow; the furthest I've traveled for the last few years has been 38 miles to Rufforth Auto Jumble once per month but since Covid I've only attended one event; my wife is in constant pain unable to walk far and fed up of kind hearted people suggesting a wheelchair; we do visit out of town stores with easy parking such as M&S also The Range but it's difficult and we always visit just as stores open when the stores are quiet. In spite of this we have a wonderful lifestyle and love each other to bits; my wife comes first every time; enough said but I hope it clears up why I'm reluctant to travel leaving home.

I'm going to buy a new floor standing 2KW fan heater for the studio to boost the CH radiator; I'm fed up of moaning and complaining so time to sort some of my problems out; heating the studio in this freezing weather is a problem but a problem I can solve; I do leave the radiator on #2 setting for background heat but yesterday having had the radiator on full for three hours it was still too cool and when I tried to play the Yamaha violin it sounded terrible but then the violin was cold as was the bow and my hands.

There's so much going on in my life dictating what I do I'm unable to plan anything or even get some peace; I've been retired 22 years and still no let up but I'm as stubborn as they come and one way or another I intend to enjoy my studio. For my part now aged 75 I'm still climbing trees in March I felled and disposed of 15 very tall trees taking two weeks and in August on my birthday the studio and adjoining room detached from the main bungalow due to subsidence taking another two weeks of hard work whilst I worked on my own doing the repairs involving roof work; one lovely warm day I got settled in the studio and started to practice but was called away; not once but with perfect timing three times in one day; I felt like screaming but I've got to roll with it and just moan.

There's always demanding work to be done leaving little time to enjoy hobbies or projects; we do all repairs and maintenance apart from work involving gas.


Please take note of this picture it being the very top of our steep rear garden; these were very high and over the years have kept lowing them still needing a ladder for access to trim the tops. These were taller than the neighbours tree seen to the left.


After a huge amount of work here is the same area after tree felling in February/March this year. This tree measures 65' with just enough length to the top corner of the garden to fell it in; it was at times sleeting and very windy. The new fence posts are 12' long and 4" square I've done hundreds of hours free favours but strange how I do all this kind of work on my own.


Some of the 15 trees I disposed of taking just 14 days to clear the lot; I must be mad working at such a pace in terrible weather conditions.


My birthday present this year; this is the end outer wall of my studio; not just this wall but the whole two roomed extension detached from the main bungalow; three walls and roof damaged; another two weeks of fun for repairng it when all I wanted on my birthday was to play my violins; as I say every time I want to get into the studio I'm prevented.


This is the opposite end of the extension from the inside; I must have been a terrible person in a former life given my bad luck but at least I can say stuff the lot of it because I've got the skills to do anything. I've posted these elsewhere but just showing what violin playing is like for me; at the moment it's so cold I'm excluded again from being happy in the studio.

Time now to order the new fan heater through eBay; I hope I don't end up with a Chinese fire bomb.

UPDATE;



I decided to buy this then I won't be falling over a fan heater; easy wiring job for me from a 13A socket.

Kind regards, Colin.