Latest hobby.

You're doing well Colin. If I was playing it would sound more like a cat yowling.

 

Well done Colin

 

I am glad people understand the above articles. I do not understand a word of them but it was an interesting read.

 

Hi,

Many thanks @Sheal & @Logan. Very appreciated.

I think all violin novices go through the cat yowling stage @Sheal; fortunately I soon put that part behind me which surprised me; there are lots of YouTube videos demonstrating how to bow correctly.



I still have problems using the correct bow hold but then I still have lots of other problems learning to play a violin but by not quitting and with practice I keep steadily improving. Once the scratching stage is over and the first sounds of a recognizable tune can be played it gives such a buzz. I'm already well ahead of all those who tried playing a violin but found it too difficult and gave up.

I couldn't do anything right in the studio this morning but sometimes it happens; my heart wasn't in it; pouring with rain and like a black hole outdoors it just drags anyone's spirit down; rain drumming on the roof just above my head doesn't help; next practice session could be much better; it's how it goes but I'll win in the end.

Thanks @waterbut I fully understand what you mean; I've been in the same situation many times whilst learning so many new skills; I think the trick is to find an interesting hobby you like and look forward to spending time learning the basics; I like to encourage anyone to have a go. I'm a dinosaur trying to learn to play a violin but I find it to be therapeutic and addictive; at first I thought this is so difficult I now know why so many try and fail.

Kind regards, Col.

 

Hi,

I bought one of these Yamaha mini keyboards for my wife Bron and still have it although Bron sadly passed away. I've not played my violins much lately because of the dire weather; all my gear is in the studio where it's cosy; warm and well lit; the problem is timing; I need to turn the heating up in the studio before practicing and this takes time before I even start; often it's a waste of time because by the time the studio heats up I need to be elsewhere so I only use the studio when I've got plenty of spare time; I've tried practicing the violin in the front room but find it a bit of a chore plugging everything in and arranging the music stand with lots of trailing cables etc. It's not at all practical when I have visitors; not excuses just the way it is and I'm so much better off than most.



When I can't get into the studio but have a bit of spare time I've decided to also learn to play the keyboard/piano which I've found interesting the few times I've played around with it; it's so much easier to play than the violin and it's small enough to connect to my desktop computer using a single cable.

These Yamaha mini keyboards are fantastic value costing only £47 brand new and although aimed at kids they are impressive enough to be played by adults introducing a new hobby for very little cost and occupying little space.

I was amazed by the quality of the sound when I first tried playing and compared to playing the violn it was incredibly easy; no violin to balance on my shoulder; no tuning; no rosin; no bow; no correct bow grip: it just went on and on; over four years I managed to play about half a dozen songs on the violin but because I became so familiar with these few songs I find it difficult to learn more songs but I'm now moving on a bit trying new songs but as I say getting into the studio can be a bit of a chore when it's so cold; wet and miserable outside; I love playing my violins and using new gear in the studio but it's not practical to move all this gear into the front room. I'll never stop playing the violin but in the meantime I like learning new skills.


8:40am when I took this image and the desk lamp and overhead pendant light are switched on; it's winter so as expected it's very gloomy indeed.

The image shows how little space this keyboard occupies and I have it set up in seconds in the comfort of my always warm office.



I'll only ever play both violins and other musical gear for my own interest but it's an whole new world to explore often without spending a lot of money but with the benefit of having fun which is lacking in today's society when mobile phones dominate.



I've got a set of panpipes costing a bit more than the ones shown above but are another interesting hobby; I can only so far play a few notes but it comes down to practice.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/L-Ro_gvIsKk

I also have a genuine Russian balalaika and Bron's two Fender guitars; I'm absolutely spoiled for choice and on top of all this I still have so many other interesting hobbies; now aged 78 I'll never stop learning new things and I'd like to encourage anyone who is bored watching endless rubbish on TV to try something new; it's always interesting and often extends life.

I'm grounded today because today is going to be very poor indeed; I'm collecting a friend and taking her to visit her lifelong friend who sadly is very frail indeed and in a care home; returning my friend home I'll take a slight detour to visit my friends older brother who sadly is in palliative care in a local hospice; this is heartbreaking for me when I'm still raw after having Bron at home in palliative care earlier this year but it's what friends do for each other.

Tomorrow is forecast wet again so as I can't get into the garden I can look forward to an extended violin practice; I can warm the studio for the day.

I've rambled on enough but with so many diverse hobbies I wonder why so many complain they are bored?

Kind regards, Col.

 

Hi,

I've been busy watching YouTube videos discussing and recommending best value 61 key keyboards and as I like Yamaha gear I've just bought this;



Hopefully it'll arrive before Christmas but I'm not holding my breath. I can set this new keyboard up in the front room and it will only have a single power cable; Once set up I can then use it whenever I have tiome for short sessions but if I have more time I can then put the heating on in the studio to play my violin and recording gear; this should be a perfect combination during winter and much better than being bored. I never expected learning to play a keyboard but it's come to me due to circumstances and will be another interesting new skill to learn.

This keyboard has been bought from;

Yamaha PSR-E383 Set

It comes with seat; headphones and power supply so will be plug and play when it arrives.

I was amazed by how much easier it is to learn notes on a keyboard is compared to the ballistic learning curve of learning violin notes; it only took a few minutes for me to identify the keys on the Yamaha mini keyboard having watched YouTube tutorials; I already understand violin scales so I can now identify the "C" notes/keys on the keyboard and work the rest out.

I enjoy trying new things and learning new hobbies leaving my comfort zone way behind.

Kind regards, Col.

 

Hi,

Sorry about the spelling mistake "tiome" it should read "time". Once again I'm having problems; when I click on edit nothing happens.

Kind regards, Col.

 

Colin

i think sometimes this website slows down and it takes a bit longer. I've had trouble with the likes buttons in the past but it does get better.

 

Hi,

Many thanks @Logan your reply is bang on; I'm finding it to be very slow whilst waiting for the forum to respond; it must be due to the Christmas rush?


I've been in the workshop this morning making the enlarged sheet music support; I had quite a number of scores enlarged; one seen above; it's 17" tall so now I can position these scores horizontally or vertically; I also added a lip at the bottom. This is a simple but big improvement; these tall scores are now fully supported. I took all the violin gear back into the studio but because it takes a while for the studio to heat up I've not been playing my violin much; I've now brought the violin and basic gear like amp back into the front room.

I'm now set up to play the violin anytime also the new keyboard when it arrives; for recording I need the studio but it can wait until the weather improves. I think the new keyboard has recording?

A few days ago I had five more music scores enlarged expecting it to cost £2.50; each score in the past cost 50p; this time it cost £5 for the five. In future I'll display music on my laptop but with more work involved; my current music stand isn't strong enough to support a laptop; I just wish the weather was warmer allowing me to be more comfortable in the workshop.

Kind regards, Col.

 

Do you have a printer @Retired ? You could then enlarge and print out your own. Mind you, the cost of ink is ridiculous so might end up not being as cost effective as one might hope. It would save you the hassle though of going somewhere to get them enlarged. Or how about your local library( if it's still open)? Maybe they have a public printer?
We have a great little Photo shop in town. We take our iPhone in there if we want any photos printing out as a hard copy. They have a top notch printer outfit in there ( glossy paper and high grade paper , excellent quality) and for a 6x4 inch print they charge 15p.

 

A laser printer would work well for that kind of job and they are much cheaper to run. I have a black and white only one which I use for printing out sewing patterns; I've been using it for several years and I'm still on my first toner cartridge.

 

Goodness me @Escarpment , that sounds brilliant and definitely more economical than a printer.

 

It's still a printer, just not an inkjet with the stupid ink prices. The other problem with inkjets is that if you don't print regularly the ink cartridges will dry up and become unusable before they are empty. This doesn't happen with a laser. This is the printer I own; I've used third-party toner cartridges with it too which are much cheaper than the branded ones.



For printing out music in large format an A3 printer would be better, though it would be considerably bigger and more expensive.

 

Get a large screen on a convenient wall, connect to laptop, download music and display on screen as big as required.
Or if you have a white wall or similar, get a projector and project music from laptop on to screen, you could even get it synced up so the next note was highlighted or even a bouncing ball, like in the pantos, going along the music.

 

Projector is a good idea. They are being used for sewing patterns now as well - you fit the projector on the ceiling and project the pattern down onto your fabric on a table.