Jim Hastings

I completed a violin performance degree but decided at 21 y/o not to go into the music business. I had already started in the commercial business sector part time and decided to continue in it full time after graduation.

My childhood ambition was to become a professional symphony player, but I realized during the degree program that small-chamber playing suited my free-spirited personality far better. Now I continue practicing and playing as a serious amateur. About 90 minutes a day will keep me in shape. I can manage up to 3 hours a day.

On this site, I join Weekend Vote fairly often and reply now and then to other blog posts. At present, mostly for lack of time, I don't write to the Discussion Board. But I still scan the board for topics that interest me -- and keep learning useful tips. Always more to learn. Always room for improvement.

In October 1990, I became a published op-ed writer. In May 1996, I became a small-business owner and freelance editor. For a glimpse into what I do 6 days a week, see this page of my website. In keeping with 'Netiquette' guidelines and rules for violinist.com members, I have placed a link back to violinist.com on the page.

October 23, 2021, update: I recorded some digital audio tracks in the garage, summer and fall 2020, in .mp3 format on my Android phone. SORRY -- audio quality falls short; the phone's onboard microphone isn't great. I plan to re-do the tracks in .wav format when time allows, using an external USB mic. For now, though, check out these two tracks:

Improv 1 - 6:56

Improv 2 - 6:52

Blog Posts

2015: Oct. Nov.

2014: Oct.

2013: May Jul.

2012: Aug.