Violin sound.

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Hi,

Thanks rob; I've seen lots of YouTube videos where sticking tapes on the violin fingerboard is recommended for novices but this is just another aid when I can place my fingers without tape using the tuner in fact I'm getting pretty near because I do play without the tuner switched on; I've played the scales many times and I'm even starting to understand where the sharps & flats are; I can now get pretty near just using my fingers simply checking against the tuner mostly without the need to move my fingers but so far on the keyboard white notes you've previously referred to; it'll all come together with lots of practice and yes I'm odd because I was taught to think for myself which is quite rare these days when most are like sheep.

It might be my imagination regarding the cables but somehow they sounded a bit different; the sound I'm more concerned about is amp settings which I really need to get to grips with.

I've been breaking Lara's Theme down to learning a song line at a time going over and over until it sinks into my terrible memory then moving on to the next line; Lara's Theme is now one song I know from heart; it's stepping stones with me; I learn a bit and when confident I move to the next bit; it doesn't bother me playing over and over but by doing it like this I'm now concentrating more with reading music; you'll recall my own method I adopted which actually worked very well giving me confidence well now I can move over to proper music scores with a decent idea of what I'm doing; having had a bit of practice using the metronome I'm also gaining a bit more experience with beats;

https://www.violinonline.com/meter.html

I've no problem playing whole; half and quarter notes against the metronome I just need to get the timing in my head which will come with more practice.

Yes an whole lot to master but I keep nibbling away from different directions which keeps me interested.

I need to spend time practicing because posting on forums is time consuming and as I've stated earlier I'm taking up a great deal of your generous time rob which isn't fair on you. Posting YouTube links is a good idea but takes me ages to do because it's all new to me; I need to put in a lot of solid practicing and with your excellent information plus YouTube videos and the books I've got a great deal of information to the point it can become too much; I do lots of machinery and woodworking projects at speed but I want to make the mistakes and take my time whilst learning to play a violin it's mistakes I make I learn so much from; I find half an hours concentration is plenty then I enjoy playing the first part of Amazing Grace without any music score at all just for the sheer fun of what I can create; then I can concentrate again also I knock off for a mug of tea to take a break; I am making steady progress but now I'm free to get into the studio I should speed up. Less time on forums and more time in the studio is what I really need.

Evenings during this dark cold weather I enjoy with my wife settled down to a YouTube movie or two; it's long over due for me to start enjoying retirement rather than working or thinking about working on the bungalow or in the gardens.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
Hi,

Now Christmas is finally over I'm back to practicing. I'm now on page 100 Violin For Dummies and so far it's been basics which I'm familiar with but as I get more into the book I'm sure it's going to get a lot more difficult.

I've just been into the studio to collect Lara's Theme score because I'm now keen to look at this a lot more seriously in particular sharps & flats also note lengths; if I can get these correct then it's a good step forward.



I'm taking everything slowly letting it sink in; the studio was cold but since last posting I've wired in the new 2KW fan heater and this is making a tremendous difference; turn the CH radiator on for 30 minutes to let it fully heat up then when I go in to practice switch on the fan heater giving an immediate heat boost; I've tried this a number of times and amazingly after having the fan heater running for ten minutes I can switch it on the CH heating radiator now coping on its own; this alone is making me more keen to get into the studio; for reading I read in my office and for YouTube tutorial videos I'm using my desktop computer also in the office or TV in our front room so at last I'm comfortable.

Studio_0001_01.webp


Here's the new fan heater; I never leave it switched on if I'm not in the studio for safety. Wiring was very easy I just removed the cable and plug supplied and replaced the cable it needing to be longer; I used new 3 core cable which I had but snipped off the Earth tails as these weren't needed the heater being fully insulated to prevent electrical shock; the cable is clipped neatly and plugged into a 13A switched socket. The fan heater only cost £26.99 through eBay including delivery.

Studio_0002_01.webp

The new mic stand also arrived and with all the gear already bought I'm fully set up for 2023; funds aren't a problem and I stress this is a hobby to me but I'm keen to learn just for my own enjoyment; our friends aren't interested in learning music or playing musical instruments so this is very personal to me; my wonderful wife likes violin music when played well but I don't subject her to my practices. The white cable is the supplied fan heater cable the black coil is just some of the cable I always have to hand in the workshop; I need to take this cable into the workshop but not in this freezing or wet weather; it's very dark and pouring with heavy rain as I type; I'm getting soft as I grow older.

I've a great deal to learn and I'll stick with it; I've got three friends who tried to play a violin but gave up I won't be the fourth to give up I'm much too stubborn. I now need to set up a daily routine to take in studying and practicing; two hours each day will be plenty to start with but over Christmas I've on occasion put in double this having kept popping into the studio. I'll be pleased when the climate warms up then I won't have to mess around heating the studio but it'll soon be springtime.

Happy New Year everyone.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
Glad things are looking up, Colin.
Those mic stands are neat. I just bought a similar one (Hercules), because I really do not have room for the stands with splayed out legs.
I think you're on the right track with your strategy.
All this winter weather is a bit miserable.
 
Hi,

Many thanks Raymond; I bought a cheap mic stand through eBay and it proved too weak to hold the heavy Rode mic even with the adjusters tightened with pliers.

1672311089746.webp


Here's the one I bought which was kindly recommended by a forum member; postage bumped up the price but even so it's still good value. The base is much heavier than expected making it very stable.

Yesterday in the studio after practicing scales I went mad just for the sheer fun of it and for around half an hour non stop just played the bow over the strings at random really enjoying myself; no scratching or other unwanted noise as my fingers ran up and down all strings and it amazed me by how I've progressed using the bow but obviously now I can do this it's all down to lots of practice. I was playing my Yamaha YEV104 and I think it's made friends with me.

This morning I've been on forums and replying to mail but after dinner I'll wander into the studio for another violin session; I still need to sort out a shoulder rest; the Yamaha isn't the easiest of violins to attach a shoulder rest to also I'm still struggling adjusting the Yamaha THR10 amp but I'll keep trying and in the New Year I should have plenty of spare time for a change will be a miracle.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
Hi,

A quick update because things have changed at last in my favour; it could take two or three hours for the studio to nicely warm up with the single C/H radiator making it difficult to get into the studio during this cold weather; I've just turned the radiator on and by the time I've typed this the radiator should be hot but now when I go in I'll switch the new fan heater on and it's incredible by how quickly the studio now heats up in fact once I start playing it doesn't take long before I can switch the fan heater off letting the radiator take over; it works a treat so now I can pop in for an hour whenever I like as I'm about to do.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
If you don't have one, you might want to have something that displays the relative humidity so you don't get things so dry or change too quickly, so your instruments can develop cracks. At the least it can make staying in tune a problem!
 
Hi,

Thanks for your reply and excellent information @keith.rogers; there's a humidity clock in one of my violin cases but I never bother with it; it's difficult living here on the steep exposed valley side subjected to extremes of weather; in winter its usually wet and perishing as it is today and last year we enjoyed a rare very hot summer; in the studio I have four violins three in cases but as yet no case for my new Yamaha YEV104 so I cover this with a good towel; I also have a Russian balalaika hung on the wall; I'd find it difficult trying to keep these in the environment they deserve and it does bother me but these days thousands are finding it almost impossible to even heat a single room due to energy costs.

It does bother me but at least everything is dry; humidity isn't a real problem but the cold/heat cycle does swinging from extremes; I can veneer and french polish so am aware of problems; so far though no problems with the violins and can go days without needing to re-tune which is good news.

I've just turned the studio radiator on; I'll shortly go in for an hours violin practice which I'm looking forward to; I'm slowly working my way through a violin music tutorial book and have now reached learning to read music through simple lessons; this first lesson is the "D" string and it's all suddenly starting to make sense; yesterday I enjoyed playing the first line teaching me how to read the D notes against the score; today I'll have a go at the second line which looks more complicated; so far no sharps or flats but I think I'll soon be fully introduced to these. It's all so interesting and I'm trying to put in two one hour practices each day.

Our bungalow is constantly demanding maintenance even in winter with small but demanding jobs; in summer the big jobs take over; my wonderful wife is suffering pain in her right shoulder and arm so I'm taking on more household duties; over the last few weeks my wife has been placing cake making ingredients into a big bowl and I've helped out by mixing using an electric mixer but a couple of weeks ago to help further my wife explained what to do to make a currant cake and I started from scratch using her handed down recipe; since then I've made a second currant cake but this afternoon I'm going to make two cakes and have a go at making buns with icing and cherry; we have a friend visiting tomorrow and want to make a fuss of her.

Currant cake_0001.webp


All this has a lot to do with my learning to play a violin because I don't have endless time in which to practice; as we become older things become ever increasingly difficult and take much longer; at 75 my age isn't on my side either but now I've started to play a violin it's going to be hobby that I'll not let go. Time now for a nice practice before dinner time.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
Hi,

At last I can get into the studio in peace; I'm now trying for two one hour violin practice sessions each day just having enjoyed a practice.

D string _0001.webp


I'm progressing onto reading music as a start the D string. How to read violin music has been a big help.

D string _0002.webp

I'm finding it easier and this morning after a few fails managed "Off to school" On "jumping beans" I was happily learning then suddenly I noticed a difference; an A had been slipped in twice; my eyesight could be better now I'm reading directly from a score without enlarging it; fourth finger now working and I'm aware I could simply play open A but it's a good introduction and to encourage fourth finger use; all very basic stuff to those you can play a violin but oh so interesting to me as I start to notice more things; at first I used the metronome but now I seem OK without it. I'm taking lots of time at each stage and won't move on to the next stage until I'm happy. Regular practice sure does help.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
Tricky people who wrote that book! They're introducing you to new keys. This one is probably in D Major - so has the F sharp and a C sharp - but that melody doesn't actually use the C sharp. It gets you playing more than the white notes on a piano - with the sharp symbol on every F - if they put the key signature in next to the clef, you wouldn't have each individual note labelled this way - my guess is they introduce that later. neat!
 
Hi,

Many thanks rob; yes they not only show how to play the D string they also get me noticing and using my head; under "Jumping Beans" are there three "F's" that are not sharp? Am I getting too ahead of myself; I'm just taking this page by page as I proceed through the book; going over and over each page in case I miss something. Because of your kind help I'm now well aware of sharps and flats so look out for them.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
No then convention is that if the first F has the sharp symbol, any other F's in that one bar will also be sharp. Easier to read - if a second one MUST be natural, not sharp (or flat) it gets a natural symbol to warn you - these don't, so all the F's are sharp in jumping beans.
 
Hi,

Thanks rob for your clear information; I've so much to learn but each day learn a bit more. By not knowing though I've had some practice now of F natural and F# so no harm done; I learn from my mistakes. I've already done the three supermarket shopping and will shortly wander into the studio for an hours practice; I'm starting to relax more not having lots of urgent jobs hanging over me.

Update,

I'd turned on the C/H radiator in the studio and whilst the studio warmed up I popped up to the pharmacy in the village then returned home; it was starting to snow and bitterly cold so I was pleased to be warm again. How typical of my luck; I need to repeat the pharmacy visit; the repeat prescription form hadn't been supplied. Quite a while ago I arranged at the surgery to have repeat prescriptions done online but when next due the pharmacy didn't know anything about it so here I am as normal with bad luck. Why oh why did I say I could at last now relax; recently it took 16 attempts so sort out a prescription error; I think this must be a record. Just having a mug of tea before heading out again.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
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Hi,

I've said many times the problems I encounter each time I want to play my violins; this morning as I entered Morrison's supermarket at 7:30 the security guard had a quiet word with me; he asked politely if I was banned from the store; when I visited last Friday and was leaving Morrison's a customer who was following me out informed the security guard I was banned; I've visited the store twice weekly for the last 25 years; we parted on very friendly terms.

Then I ended up doing two visits to our local pharmacy due to a pharmacy simple mistake; we parted on friendly terms.

The post lady then visited us; a small parcel contained 12 silicone bun cases; last week I'd ordered 24 silicone bun cases and 7 were delivered; a friendly email and a day later the remainder were delivered completing the order. On Friday last week I ordered 2 square silicone cake moulds; the bun cases arriving this morning showing reference for the two moulds so another email has just been sent; I never ever leave bad feed back on eBay because I'm not perfect but I simply cannot get into the studio and relax in peace; I did manage an hour with the violin this morning but it's just so much hard work all the time; if I live long enough I'm going to learn how to play my violins so keep the bad luck coming I'm used to it.

Kind regards, Colin
 
I take my practice time when I can. A short time ago, I was standing in the den, guitar in hand and TV on with the sound turned down low. Some Foghat, Steely Dan, and "I Want You (she's so heavy)" to practice my arpeggio picking. That was good for about 30 minutes.

So Colin, what does one do to get banned from a grocery store??? :unsure: ?
 
Hi,

Thanks @TalismanRich. I wish I could simply pick up my violin easily and play whenever I want to. My lovely wife is unwell so I ensure she's comfortable in our front room with good old black and white movie on TV via YouTube then I can get into the studio but the problem is the studio takes time to heat up so even if I plan ahead it seldom works out but I'll not be beaten; it's minus 2C outside this morning meaning the studio will be cool; I do leave the radiator on setting #2 but it takes time to warm up; the new fan heater does help a great deal. I'm not bothering heating the studio this morning but I'll put the heating on during dinner time then I can enjoy a good practice this afternoon.

Good question; I don't know what it would take to get banned from a supermarket other than violence or theft; one thing I do know is there is always someone willing to stab me in the back; if I have anything to say I say it to a face not sneakily; I'm not at all surprised these days by people willing to do a bad turn rather than a good turn.

Years ago whilst at the front of a queue in Blackgates Engineering Duncan at the counter said I looked just like the guy in "Back to the Future" Christopher Lloyd. A guy in the queue behind me spoke up saying "it's bad enough paying these high prices without being insulted" the store erupted in laughter; I thought it be compliment because I like Christopher Lloyd. I'm often mistaken for my clone.

Yesterday morning was just a usual type of morning for me; 7:30 the security guy asked if I was banned from the store; back home I then visited the pharmacy whilst it started to snow; back home to find a mistake so a second visit to the pharmacy then back home this time in heavy snow.

Whilst I was at the pharmacy our post lady visited leaving a small parcel; I did expect two silicone "cake tins" but what I found was 12 silicone bun cases. Last week I'd ordered 24 bun cases and 7 were delivered but later in the week after an email the remainder were delivered completing the order. Now I had 12 unordered bun cases but not the two cake tins.

I sent an email offering to pay for these extra bun cases but I still needed the cake tins; our former neighbour was to visit yesterday afternoon and as she bakes and had never heard of silicone bun cases she was going to be given these so it would work out well.

The lady at Cupcakeaddicts is very friendly and generously declined payment for the bun cases now the correct cake tins are due anytime. I never get upset at all these things constantly going wrong after all I make plenty of mistakes and I can highly recommend Cupcakeaddicts as a nice company to deal with; a bit of give and take works wonders. I'm sure had I tried to get into the studio this morning I'd have been interrupted it's just the way my life is.

Fingers crossed for a decent peaceful practice this afternoon; in spite of so many things going wrong yesterday I did actually enjoy an hours practice; I'm as determined as ever to learn to play a violin. I've lots of questions but rather than take up members generous time I search the web or YouTube for answers; time is valuable and I don't want to take advantage of anyone.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
Hi,

I've been doing two violin practices each day; morning and afternoon and yesterday tea time suffered for it. In the kitchen at tea time I was really frightened; half of my left eye appeared to be looking through water; it felt weird and I also felt a bit giddy; after tea time my left eye cleared but my right eye started with the same problem; both were fine by bed time but I was truly scared. I went online to find this is common being caused by quite a number of things;

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/ss/slideshow-blurry-vision

I'm learning to read music from tutorial scores in a book and find it difficult to see the notes so have to concentrate very hard indeed; I think an hour of this knocked me over. I was online looking for local opticians; I'd like new spectacles but also I'd like spectacles just for violin playing; so many opticians have closed due to Covid but I'll possibly end up at Boots in Meadowhall about 23 miles away; I can't carry on like this and wonder why I find so many problems whilst only being keen to learn to play a violin; I never expected the amount of hassle I've suffered since getting my hands on a violin in August 2021. One thing's certain; I'm not going to be beaten even if I have to play with closed eyes at least I can make some wonderful sounds.

Kind regards, Colin.
 
There are plenty of causes described on that website. Growing older is the most innocent one.
I first went to Vision Express, but for years now I've been going to Specsavers. They really are genuinely cheaper.
Also I opt for the extra optional test they offer, which is also cheap.
I occasionally suffer from light induced migraine. I described the symptoms to the optician, and they were textbook.
Today, I'm using reading glasses to read music scores.
I plan to get 2 pairs each of normal glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses.
Look after yourself Colin.
 
2 months ago, I finally broke down and got a pair of glasses with progressive lenses. I used to laugh that bifocals were for "old people"! I had reading glasses that were kept at home, and distance glasses that stayed on the console of the car for driving, playing golf, etc.

Things became a problem when I would go to a restaurant and had to pull out the cell phone to light up and zoom in on the menu or the check at the end. With the progressives, I can finally keep the glasses on while out in the world, read the menu and drive without having to change. However, I don't wear them at home. They are dreadful for trying to read a computer screen, and when I tried to play golf, the depth perception and focus when looking down at the ball was horrible. They'll serve their purpose, tho.
 
You may not have given them time, and also got the right prescription. The ones I had first were great after aclimatisation, but the replacements from Vision Express were dire - couldn't read the computer, and distance was also wrong. I got them refunded and took the prescription elsewhere and they came up with the same magnifications, but the point where one turned into another were very different, I've no problems at all reading computer screens, and in the office where I have 4 screens on the desk they're all usable. I have the main screen closest, with a bigger one, immediately above it but behind. This works with the progressive change. The laptop screen is low so the same plane as the main screen - I have an old iMac that I use for email, and that's the furthest away but again, fully readable.

The real killer with progressives is close work. So the bottom of the lens is where you can get close. Today I was trying to fix something that required me to be on my knees and the thing the screwdriver needed to undo was above. Just a blur. No way progressive let you do close above. I even tried them upside down but then the left lens ir on the right so that didn;t work either - so I have some poundland reading glasses that work at a pretty fixed distance.

Now I have the right lenses, theyre truly great. The other thing is that the more expensive lenses let you look left and right further and stays in focus. the vision express lens were the standard sort - and looking at the line above - "now I have" and "stays" are in focus as I scan across the page without moving my head. The normal lenses covered only about where "truly great: and "Let you" are - so more head turning.

The vision express person simply got the marking completely wrong. The other place put marks on the lens in quite different places!
 
The problem with the progressives is that it makes me lift my head up to read a monitor which is at already eye level. It's the same thing as you trying to work close. I don't need glasses around the house unless I'm trying to read or do close up work, distance vision isn't required.

The prescription is right, I was even at the eye doctor for some additional testing about 2 weeks after I got them. She checked everything and the lenses were right. All the adjustment that was needed was for the ear piece on one side. I got the glasses from the eye doctor office, not a discount eye glass shop.

The funny thing was that when I retired almost 5 years ago, I had a full evalutation. I have some cataracts starting. She said I would probably need to be thinking about surgery in a couple of years. Now, 4 1/2 years later, they haven't changed a bit. That really pisses me off because when I'm on the course, I lose sight of the golf balls about 100 yards out, especially on grey days or with lots of white puffy clouds. It's that loss of contrast that kills me. Thankfully, a few of the other fellows have excellent vision, so they can tell me exactly which tree my ball hit or which bush it is under.
 
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