November 10, 2004 at 11:59 AM

Well a week with a borrowed Stentor Violin has give me some insight as to how hard this project is going to be.

After changing the awful strings for some T'Dominants I discovered the sound is still awful, although the E string is tons better, for some reason the D string is terrible and scratchy. I have been practicing long slow bowing, trying to maintain a nice steady tone.

My bow changes are pretty good (I think). Some early lessons on the cello when I was a kid paid off. Left hand is not so bad although stretching over for the G string is interesting... all the years playing the guitar is either helping or not, I am not sure which at this point. Heaven knows how you guys use vibrato, my arm and hand appear steadfast and un willing to flex. I guess I need to stretch over time.

Still haven't decided on a teacher yet... there are two or three locally but may have a lesson with two of them and then decide. First one next Wednesday.

Waiting in anticipation for my violin to arrive. Having been to see the Strad "Messiah" in Oxford, only a stones throw away I cant wait to get my own personal Jesus :) Can you imagine that poor violin (the Messiah) so much potential and yet it has never been played? Well I bet your life someone tuned it up once and had a go.. I mean.. wouldn't you !

Don