Rusted Violin after Vacation

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Permalink Reply by Greg Cahill on June 30, 2009 at 4:23pm

Here are some exercises you can try. These are from Mimi Rabson, who teaches at the Berklee School of Music and were published in a recent issue of Strings magazine.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Light on July 1, 2009 at 5:31am

"Does it mean I'm the rusted one here?" Well, how can I put this?....Yes, Eddy, I'm afraid so! :) However, the good news is that you'll get back whatever you lost really quickly. Greg's suggestion of exercises is an excellent one. During the "school year", if you will, (September to June) when there are lots of sessions going on, I play out anywhere from two to four times a week. During the summer months, however, sessions shut down and I can tend to let things slip. As you've found out, the fiddle has a way of telling you; it's not exactly like riding a bike! When that happens, I know it's time to "get back to basics" with good ol' Wohlfahrt, the online metronome, and the Royal Conservatory Technical Studies. Almost immediately, my bowing "corrects itself", my intonation improves, and speed starts to come back.

Haven't been to Newfoundland since I was a teenager, many years ago. Spent time working in Corner Brook; loved it.

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Permalink Reply by Gus Kovalik on July 1, 2009 at 11:57am

Well, I know I've read that if you buy an old violin that hasn't been played in decades, that it will not have it's best sound at first, but will regain it's voice after a period of use. Never heard of one going bad in a week, though. :-)) (The violin I play most often was made in the 1880s, and it has gotten gradually better sounding over the course of a year.)

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Permalink Reply by Erin Shrader on July 1, 2009 at 12:15pm

Sometimes the violin does need to be "played in" after a rest. I know my trusty fiddle used to work right out of the case no matter how long it had been silent, but ever since the button graft and neck reset (major surgery) it goes through a cranky period. Unresponsive and a little tight sounding. I once got to spend an hour with a Strad that had just come out of the vault after 25 years. It was really rusty at first, but opened up a great deal. If it ended up in the hands of a player, I bet it sounds completely different now.

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Permalink Reply by eddymontreal on July 1, 2009 at 6:15pm

Well... After few hours of practice going through Greg's exercises (thank you for the link) and Dave's tips, I'm back "in tone" (I was the rusty one after all ;--) It's strange that it takes a bit of time to get into it. I noticed my challenge was more the bow (right arm) than the left arm.

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Permalink Reply by eddymontreal on July 6, 2009 at 9:04pm

Newfoundland is such a great place... I went to the western part at Gros Morne Park; amazing landscape! Here's a link to some pictures if it interest you Dave:
http://picasaweb.google.com/eddymontreal/TerreNeuve2009#slideshow/5...


Dave Light said:

"Does it mean I'm the rusted one here?" Well, how can I put this?....Yes, Eddy, I'm afraid so! :) However, the good news is that you'll get back whatever you lost really quickly. Greg's suggestion of exercises is an excellent one. During the "school year", if you will, (September to June) when there are lots of sessions going on, I play out anywhere from two to four times a week. During the summer months, however, sessions shut down and I can tend to let things slip. As you've found out, the fiddle has a way of telling you; it's not exactly like riding a bike! When that happens, I know it's time to "get back to basics" with good ol' Wohlfahrt, the online metronome, and the Royal Conservatory Technical Studies. Almost immediately, my bowing "corrects itself", my intonation improves, and speed starts to come back.

Haven't been to Newfoundland since I was a teenager, many years ago. Spent time working in Corner Brook; loved it.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Light on July 7, 2009 at 4:47am

Thanks for the pix, eddy! They're absolutely magnificent!

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Permalink Reply by Michael on July 9, 2009 at 2:08am

Hey Eddie.
Coulda shoulda woulda. Nexted time take 'ur fiddle with u. Or find one in a 'ole antique (pawn) and play it there on vacation.Plaing in a hoterl suite jus drive the hotel nuts-o.Then play in the lobby and hope for the best . Lots-o=tips or a hot chick ? All the manager can do is say " PLEASE STOP PLAYING FOR GODS SAKE "
Mike

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Permalink Reply by eddymontreal on July 9, 2009 at 6:22am

I've actually taken one of my violins with me on vacation few times in the past especially for longer trips and used a mute when needed. My last trip was a bit tricky though since I was on hikes most of the time camping here and there under changing weather conditions. On the other hand, the airlines (especially charters) are not the most friendly with musicians: you can take a bag OR a violin with you in the cabin and never both or you check-in your violin and hope it will come out in 1 piece.

Michael said:

Hey Eddie.
Coulda shoulda woulda. Nexted time take 'ur fiddle with u. Or find one in a 'ole antique (pawn) and play it there on vacation.Plaing in a hoterl suite jus drive the hotel nuts-o.Then play in the lobby and hope for the best . Lots-o=tips or a hot chick ? All the manager can do is say " PLEASE STOP PLAYING FOR GODS SAKE "
Mike

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Permalink Reply by Dave Light on July 9, 2009 at 7:11am

Hey, eddy! I'm forced into a bit of a "vacation" myself right now. Picked up a rose thorn in the end of my ring finger yesterday clearing out some dead branches from a big rose bush. It's deep in there, and it hasn't come out yet. Played at a session last evening, but the adrenalin kept me from feeling much pain. This morning, however, is a different story! Ouch! So it's all wrapped up with Polysporin cream to draw it out for a couple days. Hope there's good stuff on TV!

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Permalink Reply by Julia Johnson on July 30, 2009 at 7:31pm

I obviously don't know what kind of violin you have, but I can tell you this. When I go on vacation, my violin always feels the same way when I return. But, I know for a fact that its me, not the instrument. My private teacher told me that I should always bring my violin with me on vacations and things because....if you don't practice for a week, you can lose many weeks worth of practicing. I guess your fingers and ears lose it a lot faster than you learn it. My suggestion would be to go back to the basics and really work on making it comfortable again. Persevere! That rusty feeling will go away. Trust me..I didn't always bring my violin on vacation. I understand.

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Permalink Reply by eddymontreal on July 30, 2009 at 9:24pm

Hi Julia! Indeed, the rusted blame goes to the player. After few scales and a couple of days going back to basics, the tone became "right" and the violin became my friend again :--)

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