My previous husband and I got deep into winemaking. We used to make delicious wines. We would buy the premium kits, and follow the whole process very closely. We made some beer and utterly failed at mushroom growing because our home was too dry in the winter. However, I excelled at mushroom hunting in our forest when in season. I
In my former life, I taught violin. I made it a habit always to learn how to do new things so I would never take for granted what it felt like to be a beginner. I never wanted to utter to a student any variation of a sentiment I got all too often from my own teachers, "Oh, it's easy, just play like this."
Easy is not the same as simple. Easy generally only happens AFTER you have mastered the skill.
Imho, continuously learning new things brings a necessary humility which allows us to stay younger, curious and better humans.
That's a bit like giving directions when you know the way. Sure it is 'easy' for you...you know the way. 😉 I like your approach better. I learned to play the viola as a kid. I enjoyed it though trumpet and trombone ultimately called me away. I know enough to know when someone in a movie is 'faking' and not really playing the violin. So glad you joined the conversation!
Wow! I don't get that much: viola! I taught viola as well, but most people don't even know what one is. You could throw a rock into the crowd and hit a former violinist, but violists are an endangered species.
Lol. I just wrote about how it's difficult to watch movies where they fake violin playing...though I let TwoSet do the major roasting: https://substack.com/home/post/p-154143922
Yes, I do, but I came to it late in life. The fiddle I have was my great grandfather’s, that spent many years in my grandfather’s attic. It came to me when his last wife died and my father thought I was the only one who might play it (my first instrument was guitar, then banjo). So, I went to music camp as a 40-something and learned to play some of the same waltzes, reels, and jigs my great grandfather played at dances in the 1920s.
The last ten years or so I have not played much but I am recently retired and am taking it up again. 😊
You play the banjo too?!! I first learned The 8th of January as a banjo tune. A lot of my fav banjo tunes are actually transposed fiddle tunes which I only discovered after I started playing the fiddle 😂.
Yes the bow is where 90% of the technique is I think and it is where I usually struggle.
No. It's a 5-string violin. It's like if a violin and viola got together and had a baby. It's tuned from bottom to top C G D A E. It was my teaching instrument, but since it has 5 strings, the sympathetic vibrations of the extra string makes it wicked cool to play.
Banjo is such a fun instrument to listen to, but I already split my time with too many instrument repertoires. I make it a point to always be a beginner at something, so at various times I bought the Suzuki CDs for recorder, flute, guitar, and, of course, violin, viola, and piano. The latter three I taught. I don't teach any more, so now I can devote time to playing whatever it is that I want to play. It's oddly freeing. I will definitely have to check out the two tunes. Nicely, I do not know either of them.
My great-grandfather also played fiddle for various country dances in the 1920’s (plus earlier and later). I, too, got his violin, but unfortunately it went through lots of other relatives first. They stripped the varnish and put on regular wood varnish, thus ruining it. Sadder story for the bow, which was stolen when I left it to be rehaired. More interesting story with my grandpa’s violin…but I digress…
In case you don’t already know this one (since maybe your repertoire is more from way earlier), it was written for a Civil War documentary. Lovely piece. One of my favorites, in fact. Here played by the man who composed it. If you can play all that, I’m sure you can play this one. It’s in D Major and really only has an A section and a B section.
Ah yes, I play this :D. I was a history major in undergrad, and studied US History as a focus. I have always been fascinated/horrified by the US Civil War, so have watched Burns’ fantastic series several times. I learned this one by ear from watching the DVD.
Here is one I also play, with the same kind of feeling. Neil Gow’s lament, that I learned from a Natalie McMaster album. I played it, in tears, when my sister passed at an early age.
And, I would love to hear more about your fiddle! I have stories as well 😊.
My wife is just starting to play (another story) and to help her along I found a fiddle for her on eBay that is actually an amazing instrument (better sound than mine!) at about 25% of what it would cost hanging in a music store. If you love playing and your great gran’s fiddle is not in great shape, consider finding a companion to it 😊.
I have both a violin and a acoustic-electric 5-string. I don't play as much as I'd really like as I have a slipped disc in my neck. I've been working back through the Delay Concerto Sequence. I'm not much of a fiddler, but I respect them a LOT. Played for a bit with a contradance group. Long story. Quit when I moved to China as the commute would have been vicious. ;) I've definitely lost my chops, sadly. It's frustrating to be in so much pain. I'll sit at the piano, but I'm away a lot, so don't have one under my fingertips enough. Anyway, don't mean to bore you. I'll have to take a look at ^. Please feel free to message me your other favorites. I'm always looking for new challenges.
Not boring at all! And yes age is not kind to playing any kind of music, but playing keeps you young too! Learning (back to the main thread lol) keeps your brain going.
I think I will write about playing the fiddle on my subject… and if you see it we can chat about playing in the comments!
David I agree that learning the process is sometimes best in getting "in to it" like with your beer making ! I have little desire for beer although like most things I will enjoy at the right time. Growing up Italian-American my grandfather made wine. Not alot but I acquired the taste for good wine. Mostly good "table wine" that the family would drink and not have a high price tag. Going back to the original comment topic perhaps is > It is great to be a constant student of life and learning. That is a quest to be curious and inquisitive. I have made this a habit that is part of my daily process that has mainly served me well and will continue to do so! Nice topic!
"Learning for the sake of learning" and not some worldly benefit. That is something we need to reflect more on. This year, there's so much I wish to learn if time and energy permits. I wish we can all enjoy the learning process and stress less about the outcome. Easier said than done. Thanks for sharing this masterpiece!
My wife is heavily involved year round with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Washington University. All teachers/facilitators are volunteers. She is definitely one of the youngest participants/facilitators in the group. There are several folks in their 90s that are very active. Many have postgraduate degrees but have never lost their love of learning. It's also a very strong social network.
Haha - this is very timely! I was given a magic trick kit as a joke Christmas present and was thinking to give it away unopened, as I spe d most of my time learning tango and Argentine Spanish - but I've just decided to learn the trick anyway before donating it. 😈
I'm wending my way day-by-day through Oliver Burkeman's newest book: Meditations for Mortals. I'm learning how to shrive myself of the accumulated dryer lint that no longer serves, s if it ever did. And embracing what I genuinely feel attracted to like filings to a magnet. How will all that show up? No clue. But it will when it's ready like mmmagic!
PS as to uses for dryer lint. Some years back I spent time at the Minnesota State Fair. In the Crafts building were portraits and like made of variously colored dryer lint. How it was collected was not part of the exhibit.
I'm always fascinated that people have the patience to produce art like your dryer lint example. Or those people who make fabulously detailed images in the sand on the beach simply by walking around. I need to check out liver's latest book. You've mentioned it a few times now and i enjoy his work.
Love this! Continually learning just for the sake of learning. Your attitude is wonderful, in that you already know you don’t have to make something a hobby in order to enjoy learning about it.
My previous husband and I got deep into winemaking. We used to make delicious wines. We would buy the premium kits, and follow the whole process very closely. We made some beer and utterly failed at mushroom growing because our home was too dry in the winter. However, I excelled at mushroom hunting in our forest when in season. I
Mushroom hunting in the forest sounds fabulous. Especially if there is fresh wine waiting on the return.
Yes, I would make the Chanterelles mushrooms into risotto with some white wine, and they were just delicious!
In my former life, I taught violin. I made it a habit always to learn how to do new things so I would never take for granted what it felt like to be a beginner. I never wanted to utter to a student any variation of a sentiment I got all too often from my own teachers, "Oh, it's easy, just play like this."
Easy is not the same as simple. Easy generally only happens AFTER you have mastered the skill.
Imho, continuously learning new things brings a necessary humility which allows us to stay younger, curious and better humans.
My two cents anyway.
That's a bit like giving directions when you know the way. Sure it is 'easy' for you...you know the way. 😉 I like your approach better. I learned to play the viola as a kid. I enjoyed it though trumpet and trombone ultimately called me away. I know enough to know when someone in a movie is 'faking' and not really playing the violin. So glad you joined the conversation!
Wow! I don't get that much: viola! I taught viola as well, but most people don't even know what one is. You could throw a rock into the crowd and hit a former violinist, but violists are an endangered species.
Lol. I just wrote about how it's difficult to watch movies where they fake violin playing...though I let TwoSet do the major roasting: https://substack.com/home/post/p-154143922
This will be the year I:
*learn to use a chainsaw
*learn how to grow veggies
*learn how to keep chickens
*learn and how to play well at least 10 new fiddle tunes!
That's an interesting combo. I love it!
It is my master plan to squeeze every bit of joy out of life 😊.
Do you already play the fiddle?
On a completely unrelated note, the fiddle and the chainsaw are a good pairing as are veggies and chickens. But, I wonder if you had a theme in mind?
Yes, I do, but I came to it late in life. The fiddle I have was my great grandfather’s, that spent many years in my grandfather’s attic. It came to me when his last wife died and my father thought I was the only one who might play it (my first instrument was guitar, then banjo). So, I went to music camp as a 40-something and learned to play some of the same waltzes, reels, and jigs my great grandfather played at dances in the 1920s.
The last ten years or so I have not played much but I am recently retired and am taking it up again. 😊
Oh, and today I was working on "The 8th of January" which seemed entirely appropriate :D. This is the site I was using as a reference...
https://youtu.be/X9UJmANspsU?si=2R7PN3-7XKTMhTyn
FUN!!!!
And this guy has a beautiful, relaxed bow arm. Love it!
I actually don't know it. Maybe I'll bust out my 5-string and pick it out.
You play the banjo too?!! I first learned The 8th of January as a banjo tune. A lot of my fav banjo tunes are actually transposed fiddle tunes which I only discovered after I started playing the fiddle 😂.
Yes the bow is where 90% of the technique is I think and it is where I usually struggle.
No. It's a 5-string violin. It's like if a violin and viola got together and had a baby. It's tuned from bottom to top C G D A E. It was my teaching instrument, but since it has 5 strings, the sympathetic vibrations of the extra string makes it wicked cool to play.
Banjo is such a fun instrument to listen to, but I already split my time with too many instrument repertoires. I make it a point to always be a beginner at something, so at various times I bought the Suzuki CDs for recorder, flute, guitar, and, of course, violin, viola, and piano. The latter three I taught. I don't teach any more, so now I can devote time to playing whatever it is that I want to play. It's oddly freeing. I will definitely have to check out the two tunes. Nicely, I do not know either of them.
My great-grandfather also played fiddle for various country dances in the 1920’s (plus earlier and later). I, too, got his violin, but unfortunately it went through lots of other relatives first. They stripped the varnish and put on regular wood varnish, thus ruining it. Sadder story for the bow, which was stolen when I left it to be rehaired. More interesting story with my grandpa’s violin…but I digress…
In case you don’t already know this one (since maybe your repertoire is more from way earlier), it was written for a Civil War documentary. Lovely piece. One of my favorites, in fact. Here played by the man who composed it. If you can play all that, I’m sure you can play this one. It’s in D Major and really only has an A section and a B section.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kZASM8OX7s
Ah yes, I play this :D. I was a history major in undergrad, and studied US History as a focus. I have always been fascinated/horrified by the US Civil War, so have watched Burns’ fantastic series several times. I learned this one by ear from watching the DVD.
Here is one I also play, with the same kind of feeling. Neil Gow’s lament, that I learned from a Natalie McMaster album. I played it, in tears, when my sister passed at an early age.
https://youtu.be/N5P0rDKC3fY?si=9gdwqcDYrmaNcFDd
And, I would love to hear more about your fiddle! I have stories as well 😊.
My wife is just starting to play (another story) and to help her along I found a fiddle for her on eBay that is actually an amazing instrument (better sound than mine!) at about 25% of what it would cost hanging in a music store. If you love playing and your great gran’s fiddle is not in great shape, consider finding a companion to it 😊.
I have both a violin and a acoustic-electric 5-string. I don't play as much as I'd really like as I have a slipped disc in my neck. I've been working back through the Delay Concerto Sequence. I'm not much of a fiddler, but I respect them a LOT. Played for a bit with a contradance group. Long story. Quit when I moved to China as the commute would have been vicious. ;) I've definitely lost my chops, sadly. It's frustrating to be in so much pain. I'll sit at the piano, but I'm away a lot, so don't have one under my fingertips enough. Anyway, don't mean to bore you. I'll have to take a look at ^. Please feel free to message me your other favorites. I'm always looking for new challenges.
Post is up!
https://open.substack.com/pub/dougflet/p/fiddles-and-strings?r=fjrpt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Not boring at all! And yes age is not kind to playing any kind of music, but playing keeps you young too! Learning (back to the main thread lol) keeps your brain going.
I think I will write about playing the fiddle on my subject… and if you see it we can chat about playing in the comments!
David I agree that learning the process is sometimes best in getting "in to it" like with your beer making ! I have little desire for beer although like most things I will enjoy at the right time. Growing up Italian-American my grandfather made wine. Not alot but I acquired the taste for good wine. Mostly good "table wine" that the family would drink and not have a high price tag. Going back to the original comment topic perhaps is > It is great to be a constant student of life and learning. That is a quest to be curious and inquisitive. I have made this a habit that is part of my daily process that has mainly served me well and will continue to do so! Nice topic!
Curiosity and humility are required for all adult (learning and) growth. I may have to enjoy a glass of wine now!
"Learning for the sake of learning" and not some worldly benefit. That is something we need to reflect more on. This year, there's so much I wish to learn if time and energy permits. I wish we can all enjoy the learning process and stress less about the outcome. Easier said than done. Thanks for sharing this masterpiece!
My wife is heavily involved year round with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Washington University. All teachers/facilitators are volunteers. She is definitely one of the youngest participants/facilitators in the group. There are several folks in their 90s that are very active. Many have postgraduate degrees but have never lost their love of learning. It's also a very strong social network.
I love that!
Haha - this is very timely! I was given a magic trick kit as a joke Christmas present and was thinking to give it away unopened, as I spe d most of my time learning tango and Argentine Spanish - but I've just decided to learn the trick anyway before donating it. 😈
Awesome! I’d love to hear how it goes when you do the trick for others.
I'm wending my way day-by-day through Oliver Burkeman's newest book: Meditations for Mortals. I'm learning how to shrive myself of the accumulated dryer lint that no longer serves, s if it ever did. And embracing what I genuinely feel attracted to like filings to a magnet. How will all that show up? No clue. But it will when it's ready like mmmagic!
PS as to uses for dryer lint. Some years back I spent time at the Minnesota State Fair. In the Crafts building were portraits and like made of variously colored dryer lint. How it was collected was not part of the exhibit.
I'm always fascinated that people have the patience to produce art like your dryer lint example. Or those people who make fabulously detailed images in the sand on the beach simply by walking around. I need to check out liver's latest book. You've mentioned it a few times now and i enjoy his work.
I imagine these folks would be similarly amazed by your writing/posting dedication, David.
As the song goes: All God's children got a place in the choir.....
His latest is my fav: practical & provocative. Let me know what you think.
Thank you for this posting David! I would like to learn more about ancient history this year - and to learn Italian! And Italian art history!
Those sound like stellar things to explore Amy! My degree is in history though not Italian. Something worth looking at for myself.
Love this! Continually learning just for the sake of learning. Your attitude is wonderful, in that you already know you don’t have to make something a hobby in order to enjoy learning about it.
Such a generous point of view.