Introducing Version 3.0!

March 19, 2007 at 7:20 PM

I'm pleased to introduce Version 3.0 of Karin Lin, Violinist.

Version 1.0 was in production 1978-1991. Due to limited budget and knowledge and inexperienced teachers, development proceeded slowly but steadily. There were many known bugs and many more unknown bugs; quality was poor and frustration was high. In 1991, the product entered maintenance mode for approximately 14 years.

Version 2.0 emerged in the spring of 2005, after a particularly inspiring performance of Joshua Bell playing the Tchaikovsky violin concerto prompted some reexamination and renewed interest. A new teacher was found and many bugs were quickly fixed, particularly related to intonation. A minor hardware upgrade in the form of a new bow proved useful. However, repertoire mastery was slow and directionless. After two years, it was clear that another major overhaul was necessary.

And now I present to you: Version 3.0!! Launched in the spring of 2007, with hardware and software upgrades!

The new violin is a Claudio Rampini "Toscano", which Clare Chu blogged about at length a couple of months ago. It's a beautiful instrument in both appearance and sound. While many violinists say they prefer a darker tone, I always say that if I wanted dark, I'd become a viola player. :) I like bright and brilliant, and this violin is all that and more. And the best part is that I got this wonderful instrument through Clare's contacts, thus freeing me from the hassles and headaches of visiting violin shops. It really is true that having a good instrument helps one progress more quickly; that's partly due to the satisfaction one gets from a violin that responds the way you want it to, but also because it's so pretty, sometimes I want to take it out to practice just so I have an excuse to look at it!

I also have a new teacher---Clare's teacher---whom, after observing one of her lessons, I became convinced could give me the kind of direction I wanted. He's much stricter than my former teacher, and I'd have been way too intimidated if I'd started with him when picking up the violin again two years ago; a teacher who stops me after three notes saying, "No, no, no! What is this!" would have made me cry :) but right now he's exactly what I want and need. He has me working on a LOT more repertoire and variety at a time than my former teacher, which makes my practicing much more interesting and effective. I'm currently working on a couple of Kreutzer etudes, the Bach Partita #1, Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, Schubert's "The Bee", and the Dvorak Violin Concerto, all of which I'm enjoying tremendously. And I'm really looking forward to playing in his studio recital in May, which will be the first time in almost 20 years I've performed solo for any audience other than my church (which is like family, so it almost doesn't count).

And to give credit where credit is due...I owe all of these wonderful developments to my friendship with Clare, whom I never would have met if not for Violinist.com. So thank you, Clare, and once again, thank you Laurie and Robert for this wonderful site which brings us all together!

From Clare Chu
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 8:06 PM

Yes, thanks to Laurie and violinist.com that we can get connected, make friends and encourage each other. Good picture Karin.

From Sydney M.
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 8:47 PM

What an inspiring entry, Karin! Especially after some recent disappointments of mine. I'm off to practice!

From Bilbo Prattle
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 9:33 PM

Nice hardware.

From Elizabeth Smith
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 10:15 PM

Hey, that's great! Congratulations. You and the violin look wonderful in the photo, too.

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 11:16 PM

Well, let's hear ya spank it!

From Paul McCrone
Posted on March 20, 2007 at 12:14 AM

Karin, It's a beautiful instrument. Where was it made, and how old is it? I wish you much sucess with your new 3.0 deliverable. Paul

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on March 20, 2007 at 1:55 AM

this is a lovely blog,
Buri

From Karin Lin
Posted on March 20, 2007 at 4:42 PM

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone. It's so great to have a community like this to share violin joys. :)

Jim: I'll post a video the next time I have a performance with accompanist.

Paul: Claudio Rampini is based in Pisa. The instrument is brand new, built in 2006.

From John Chew
Posted on March 20, 2007 at 7:03 PM

I'm so glad you found a good teacher, and congrats on your new violin. Have fun practicing!

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