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I want a violin !

Hi WWM ty for this invitation to your group. I wonder what is a fiddle but it like a violin is'nt it ? I want to play the violin !! because it has the greatest sound of all the musical instrument.

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Permalink Reply by WWM on December 14, 2007 at 5:24

Salut Alexandre..!
Tu veux un violon..? Quelle bonne idée..! Je t'encourage vivement à t'en procurer un...! C'est tellement un bon passe-temps..!!! Et puis, ça ne devrait pas être difficile à trouver à Montréal..!!! ;-)
Personnellement, j'ai d'abord commencé à apprendre avec le violon d'un ami qui ne l'utilisait pas... et après 3 mois, lorsque j'ai senti que je pouvais faire un petit quelque chose sur cet instrument, je m'en suis acheté un... mais vraiment dans le bas de gamme, étant encore aux études..! Tout ça pour dire que je ne crois pas qu'il faille dépenser une fortune sur l'achat d'un premier instrument, uniquement pour constater qu'on a (ou pas) des affinités ou aptitudes avec ledit instrument...! Une fois la question d'affinité réglée, il est impératif de trouver un instrument (et un archet..!!!) avec lequel on sent un minimum d'aise et de confort pour que celui-ci soit attirant et que l'on ait le petit goût de "revenez-y" nécessaire à l'apprentissage au quotidien...!!! Le reste, eh bien... c'est des heures et des heures de plaisir...!!!
Je suis bien loin d'être un expert en la matière, mais bon... si que ces quelques conseils puissent t'éclairer le moindrement, ce sera déjà ça de pris..!!!
Au plaisir,... et merci d'avoir intégrer ce groupe...!
WWM

Hi Alexandre..! (please forgive about my English, which is not my mother tongue, obviously..)
You want to get a fiddle..? Go for it..!!! That is such a great hobby..! Plus it should be fairly easy to get one in Montreal..! ;-)
In case that might be of any help (without any pretentious..!) here is a summary of my own learning process... First I borrowed a violin from a friend for a couple of months, just to make sure I was comfortable enough with the instrument... Then I bought a really cheap one, but with a pleasant touch so I could learn by myself and still get the envy of grabbing the instrument on a daily basis... After a couple of years, once I knew what I like (and what I didn't) in term of ease on the instrument, I went and shop around and tried many different fiddles (and bows..!!!) until I got the real "kick" for one (like falling in love with...! You see what I mean..?)... the rest has no importance... fun playing is all that matters..!!!
Far from being an expert, I simply hope these comments make sense to you and be of some help...
Pleasure to see you herein..! Thanks..!
WWM
P.s Yes, as you noticed, the term fiddle is referring to violin...! Same fun..!!!

Permalink Reply by Alexandre Boulet on December 15, 2007 at 1:29

Salut WWM moi aussi ma langue maternel est le français. Je te remercie pour tes conseils lorsque j'aurai effectuer mon achat je te le ferai savoir :)
Je crois acheter un violon d'environ 250 à 300$ pour tout de même avoir une bonne qualité pour que la piqûre me prenne. J'aime tellement le son que je vais sûrement vouloir pratiquer régulièrement. J'ai vu des violons chez archambeault, probablement que je vais me le procurer là.

Permalink Reply by WWM on December 15, 2007 at 16:31

Hi Alex..!
I think you should find something good enough to start with in that price range (250$-300$).
Do you plan to get a "new" instrument or a "used" one?
Will you buy the bow at the same place?
Good shopping.!!!
WWM

Salut Alex..!
À ce prix, tu devrais pouvoir te procurer un instrument qui te permette d'avoir du plaisir et de vérifier du même coup s'il est dans "tes cordes"..!
Est-ce que tu prévois t'en procurer un neuf ou bien un usagé?
Achèteras-tu l'archet au même endroit?
Je te souhaite un bon magasinage..!
WWM

Permalink Reply by Lady Jane on January 30, 2008 at 2:31

Hi Alexandre. I am from Ontario. I just want to say "follow your dreams" I am 48 years old and have been playing for 2 years on my father's old violin. My father played really well, but I never so much as ever picked up the instrument. when he passed, I thought...what the heck...I found an excellent teacher and she is teaching me how to play. I play some classical, some fiddling , a bit of everything. I'm not good YET ...but I will get there one day. And I get such pleasure and enjoyment even thought my dogs howl.....and want to leave the room! hahah.....

Permalink Reply by Mary Riley on December 16, 2007 at 19:18

The best option is to buy one from a local dealer who can do the set up for your. You will spend a little more this way, but likely be much happier with the sound. If you want to go the least expensive route, try Shar Music on the web. They carry a range of very good violins at very reasonable prices ($250 USD and up). I've just been through this process myself and ultimately decided to rent. That way I can upgrade as my skills improve.

Permalink Reply by WWM on December 17, 2007 at 0:29

Hi Mary..!
Welcome in the "fiddling aroud" group..!
Your suggestion of buying an instrument from a local dealer is really good... most of the musical instruments dealer have a person dedicated to the "fine tuning"...
Another option is to go directly to a local violin maker (luthier)... They usually keep in stock exchanged instruments and bows, plus the fruit of their own work of course... and they are the experts as far as fine tuning goes..!
What is great about these places (instruments dealers and violin makers) is the fact you can take the time and try many differents instruments... Each instrument is unique (so is each bow)... and it is a good practice to try as many as possible...
It is similar to the "falling in love" feeling... the moment you will find "your" instrument and "your" bow, you will know it right away..! ;-)
Anyhow Mary, that could be very instructive for the group if you could give us feedbacks on your progress (both son and you) with the Suzuki method over the coming weeks...
Slan,
Wwm

Permalink Reply by Alexandre Boulet on January 30, 2008 at 3:47

Finally i could have some info on that Violin i want to buy :) it from a dealer in Montreal well known... I should buy it soon... and start playing :) i could hold it in my hand and feel the vibration of that instrument it was pretty impressive.. because it a fairly good quality for the price.. .around 250 $

Talk to you group when i will have it in my house :)

Bye bye :)

Permalink Reply by Alexandre Boulet on March 17, 2008 at 22:16

I finnaly got that fiddle :) i'm so happy :)
I have started to learn it by myself and later on i will take on a course... for now, because i already know how to read the music, i'm praticing the note on my fiddle. I will be able to do the exact note soon...and start playing some small music...

That great... finally my fiddle with all accessories like a tuner cost me 250 $ .

Permalink Reply by WWM on March 18, 2008 at 15:38

Hey Alexandre...!
What a good news..!!!
Des heures et des heures de plaisir pour toi..!!!!
Enjoy...!
Wwm
P.s. The knowledge of reading music will certainly be an advantage for you...!

Permalink Reply by Alexandre Boulet on March 18, 2008 at 23:28

Salut WWM, le temps, par contre me manque un peu avec tout mon occupation du temps. Mais j,essaie de pratiquer le plus souvent possible.
merci de m,avoir répondu et bonne semaine:)

Alex

Permalink Reply by Felicia on May 8, 2008 at 18:03

Fiddle...violin same instrument.

Permalink Reply by Stephen S. on September 9, 2008 at 14:25

I've won a few and of course, I've lost a few. So here I sit with 12 hours of auction time, to go. I've even taken the day off, even though the auction will finish long after I would have returned home. I just wouldn't be able to concentrate and my boss frowns on anyone continually running to the computer to visit none work related sites.

What is the reason for my distraction, you ask? What could be so important? Well, let me tell you... When I first decided to take up the fiddle, I purchased a cheap, chinese made instrument (which you can see me playing in my photo) and endeavored to begin lessons. If only for 5 mins. (somedays), I pull that thing out of the case, everyday and practice. With a lot of encouragement from my teacher, who figures that I was born with a fiddle on my shoulder, I have begun to get frustrated with my current instrument. Another friend of mine suggested that I try another bow as, the bow I have been using, came with the instrument and is quite cheap, as well. So, I got a professional bow, labeled W. E Hill & Sons... Amazing! It's most likely a copy but still well made and balanced. It actually made my toy violin sound better! Just the other day though, I was visiting yet another friend and fellow musician and of course, we did most of our communication with our fiddles. He let me play his (a fine 125 year old german made) and I played it with both the cheap bow and then tried it with my new Hill bow. Yes, his violin sounded amazing with even my cheap chinese stick, but once I drew my Hill bow, I was totally enchanted! So now, I must, I must, I must, upgrade to a real violin! So here I sit, drinking my morning coffee with a Major cigarette burning in the ashtray (gotta love my Irish friends who visit their home and bring me back irish products) and obsessing over ebay.

I so hope I win this damn thing that has taken over my mind, as of late. I can't wait to publish the pics of this beautiful thing. It was made in Boston, around the turn of the 20th century and from the description, sounds as amazing as it looks. Well fingers crossed I continue my vigil, wish me luck. And if you're around and want to take a look, it's product #320293246829.