Blog archives for November, 2009

my mom broke my violin bridge so uh, is there anyway to repair it? like getting some special glue or whatever or should i go to a place so they can do their thing and hit me up with a new one?

New bridges are cheap and don’t take that long to fix I would just take it to a place to fix it properly or ask your orchestra director…he/she may have an extra one and have probably changed more than a few in their career. Good luck

Ok just tell me what song you really like that features one of the following instruments.. If you don’t know any, just skip.

1. Trumpet-
2. Xylophone-
3. Triangle-
4. Violin-
5. Slide Guitar-
6. Cello-
7. Sitar-
8. Keyboards-

BQ: Favorite band from the 70’s?
BQ2: If the Rolling Stones came on, would you listen to them or walk out the room?

Bonus poll: Do you think its really music if its purely electronic with no real instruments?

A. Hell no.
B. Hell yes.
C. Dunno.
D. Other- explain

just going to throw some tunes I like out there, probably missing some ones I like better.
1. Trumpet – Belle and Sebastian – Dog On Wheels (alt version)
2. Xylophone – Oingo Boingo – Just Another Day
3. Triangle – Radiohead – The Tourist
4. Violin – PJ Harvey – Plants and Rags
5. Slide Guitar – Frank Black and the Catholics – I’ve Seen Your Picture
6. Cello – A.C. Newman – the Town Halo
7. Sitar – the Beatles – Within You Without You
8. Keyboards – the Shins – Caring is Creepy

BA: Elvis Costello and the Attractions
BA2: Listen. I don’t love the Rolling Stones, but I like some stuff. I’m into it.

BP: B, all the way, no doubt about it.

Ok, so i have an acoustic violin that was like $600 and i want to get an electric violin. One of the local stores has a Fender in stock but its only $500. Should i buy it even though its less $ than my acoustic?

It really depends on if that’s what you want. Electric violins can range anywhere from $30 to thousands of dollars. For any musician, there are so many factors involved in choosing the right instrument, even aside from cost. If you like the way it sounds, then go for it.

I forgot the name and now I would like to buy one for my msall children. Thanks!

It’s called a Bow Right. You can get one at any music store.

Hello,
I have a violin that is about 50-60 years old. I think it is a Czechoslovakian violin but I can’t find any luthier’s name or label in it. It was given for a repair to a local instrument maker in 2005 and while doing a good repair job, he also "painted" the violin in a darker shade! Now I find that the paint is flaking off the neck and other places, exposing the bare wood. Initially I wanted to get the original colour back, but I suppose that is impossible. What can I do about the paint flaking off? Can I get a professional luthier to attempt a restoration? I would greatly appreciate your comments.
Thank you.

Sure it can be restored. But I would have it evaluated first to find out how much it is worth, because the restoration will cost you. A good violin maker could do both.

Best of luck.

In a pinch… you can always send it to me although I would prefer a viola.

Now, I don’t mean to be one of these questions that ask why music sucks. I was just curious as to why mainstream music "hits" and most of what is on the mainstream is starting to take a turn to electronic beats and all the instruments are computer based. Music like "poker face" by Lady Gaga and "Down" by Jay Sean ( I actually think this son would be more beautiful if you removed the beats and put in a piano and had an real orchestra play it..What do you think of this?) and Rhianna’s "Russian Roulette" is all drum beats. When will there be a real violin or trumpet in out music?

i’m thinking the same thing, rockabilly is the only true genuine music out there.

it’s actually disgusting what people these days listen to.. lady gaga is just stupid.

I believe I’m getting one as a gift, but how do I find out what size to ‘hint’ at getting, especially considering i’ve never personally held a Violin :S

it depends on your height, i am 5ft10 and i had to use a full size violin, over this its kind of difficult to explain, just drop hints that the reciept is kept so that if need be you can change the size of it

so, im just wondering if you pros haha or any players have any advice/tips for me?
i play the violin and im having an audition soon. thanks a lot =]

*I like your name*

Eat a banana–the potassium calms your nerves.

Is it a blind audition? If not, expect to see the judges writing a lot of things down/perhaps typing on laptops. That’s one thing I was NOT expecting my first time.

Remember, they want you to do well. They’re not hoping you fail–if you fail, that have to listen to you play the violin horribly. They want you to do well! They’re rooting for you!

Get there early so you have plenty of time to find your audition room and you won’t be frantically running to get there on time. Leave yourself time to tune/warm up. It’s very important.

Just play with all your heart and feel the music. They’ll be able to tell if you love it or not. Whatever you do, don’t worry! Oh, and remember to breathe!

Honestly, I want to learn how to play this instrument, and I found a relatively inexpensive one that is supposed to be good for beginners, but all the reviews say it needs some work. The reviews are pretty consistent on what the problems are with the 2 instruments I have in mind, and there is a 3rd that doesn’t have any sort of customer review with it so I might want to get that one looked at if I buy it. I am reluctant to do any of the work myself for the simple fact that I have never done anything like it before. Please help!

Since I am a harpist I have no idea where you could get an electric violin repaired. HOWEVER!! You could go over to Beethoven &Company (or call them) and ask if they know anyone who does that kind of stuff. They are really nice – I even found my past Harp teacher through them, so who knows what you might find out!

Sorry I couldn’t be more of a help.
PS. Beethoven &Company is in the phone book under the Music section

I just finished a paper i have to due for English. Basicly, what I had to do is write a one paragraph letter to my teacher telling her about one main thing about me. but i have to make it from an inanimate object!
she gave us an example where the letter was from her van, and the letter was about how she likes to travel.
So anyway, I was wondering if you guys could help me out with any mispellings, or stuff like that. Here’s the letter:

**By the way, I’m replacing my teachers name with Mrs. Smith. and my last name with Fink. and my birthday with something random**

Dear Mrs. Smith,

Hi! I’m Matt Fink’s iPod Touch. I’ve been with Matt since June 26th (His birthday) last year, and if you should know one thing about Matt, it’s that he loves music, and in many ways! He began his intrest in music in kindergargen, when he started playing violin, and now he plays many more instruments such as the bass guitar, and guitar! Another example of his love for music is me, his iPod! He has over 300 songs, and several music videos. But probably the most important thing about his passion for music is that he loves so many types of music! He enjoys rock, electronic, classical, and some hip-hop! So as you can see, music is a big part of Matt’s life, and I hope you get to know more about him as the year goes on!

Sincerely,
Matt’s iPod Touch

Dear Mrs. Smith,

Hi! I’m Matt Fink’s iPod Touch. I’ve been with Matt since June 26th (his birthday) last year, and if you should know one thing about Matt, it’s that he loves music, and in many ways! His interest in music began in kindergarten, when he started playing the violin, and now he plays many more instruments such as the bass guitar and the acoustic guitar! Another example of his love for music is me, his iPod! I look after over 300 of his songs and several music videos. But probably the most important thing about his passion for music is that he loves so many types of music! He enjoys rock, electronic, classical as well as some hip-hop! So, as you can see, music is a big part of Matt’s life, and I hope you get to know more about him as the year goes on!

Sincerely,
Matt’s iPod Touch

NOTE: Nice. Perhaps consider not overusing exclamation marks, unless you’re going for a deliberate effect.