greg

: I read the Times article on Kotova and have check with Philips Cassical but can't fine her CD. Can any one help me? try going to a Borders BookStore in your area, or go to borders.com. They usually have it or else can ship it to you within a few days. I have the CD - it is incredible

No, you can't play violin music on a Viola. Violas are bigger than violins and play from the viola clef instead of the G clef. Violins strings go g,d,a,e. A violas go c,g,d,a. Same as a cellos.

sheet music or done by audiation moonlight sonata or Toccata & fugue in d minor e-m at emberfire@netzero.net freedom!

Generally, how long does it take to "break in" a set of new strings? I am new to violins, taking lessons, and it seems everytime I pick up my violin to play it is badly out of tune. How much longer do I have to take this? I have a week between lessons, and let me tell you, six days of "out of tune" twinkle twinkle little star may not only end up driving me nuts, but the neighbors' dogs are going to need therapy too. They are steel strings. Just wanted to know. Thanks

I am a 36 year old who recently purchased a violin and would like to take lessons. I have heard, seen (tv programs) and read a little about the Suzuki method of learning music, however most often it is children who are featured in reference to Suzuki method (that I am aware of anyway). Has anyone had any experiences you can tell me about learning thru Suzuki method as an adult? Is it worthwhile? Is it geared towards adults, or too frustrating for us? Are other more traditional methods of learning music more or less valuable for an adult whose habits and ways of learning may be a little more rigid? I realize that these questions are asking for personal preferences and experiences, but perhaps such answers can help me decide which method is right for me. Thank you.

Is anyone familiar with or know of any available software which teaches a beginner the basics of playing violin? Or, if not, what would you recommend in terms of the best book out there? Post or email. Thank you.

I purchased a violin at a garage sale for fifty bucks.(I do not play but wanted to mess around with one and learn) I knew the family and they told me they had it appraised by one dealer who said it was worth fifty bucks. But it was in an attic for years and is filthy, mostly dust and the wooden cases cover has kind of disintigrated. The dealer said it would take about $200 dollars to recondition it, and then it would be worth $200 dollars. I don't necessarily care about the value, but I'm not sure if--because it has been in the attic and may have dried out or whatever-- that even with reconditioning it will sound good. Does anyone have any experience with this or advice? Am I taking a big chance with my $200? Inside is a paper label that reads: Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonenfis Faciebat Anno (and what looks like the number 13, although the 3 could be a Z or something) Also, there were a couple of extra bridges in the case and I wondered if these are glued onto the violin or are they just held in place by the pressure of the strings? Like I said, this is new to me and I don't want to ruin it or get taken by anyone when I go to get it reconditioned. Any advice would be greatly appreciated in either a post or email. Thank you.

:Jake has the right approach for those that find merit in this kind of thing. You might want to try another source for your dial indicators such as; MSC Supply, Production tool Supply or even Enco manufacturing. They offer a wider range of these "import" indicators and they also offer them in inch or metric format. Best of Luck, Greg : : Hello everyone! : : Could someone please tell me where I can find a relatively inexpensive set of thicknessing calipers? I don't have the $250 to shell out for the .0001" accuracy model at the present. I would like a set that is large enough for violin and cello though. Thanks a lot! : : : : Doug : Doug, : I faced the same problem long ago. I solved it by buying an inexpensive dial indicator from Harbor Freight Company ( about $20) and mounting in on a wooden arm directly above a 1/4 inch dowel with a rounded off point on it. Set the indicator to zero with its stylus resting on the dowel and you have a very effective way to measure anything inserted between. By making the arm long, it serves for anything from a bass to a 1/32 violin. If you are handy with metal, you can make a more sophisticated version almost as easily. There is absolutel;y no reason for accuracy beyond .01", so don't worry about a high quality indicator. After all, Strad and his contemporaries were much more severely limited in their measuring ability. I use a conventional instrument caliper now, and it is handier, but if I hadn't traded for it, I'd still be using the homemade job. Something in me rebels at the obscene prices asked for simple tools. My first finger plane was a 32mm wooden bodied one that I made. I'd still be using it, too, if I hadn't lost it. Now I use brass-bodied professional tools that I don't like nearly as well. : Jake

: : : Anyone has any experience using italian-made DOGAL : : strings (for violin) and how they compare in terms of : : quality/tone/depth/etc with others like the Thomastik, : : Pirastro, Corelli, etc ? : : Any information appreciated... : : Thanks ! : Where can you buy the DOGAL strings in this country? : They're not listed in the usual catalogs. How do : they compare, pricewise? I purchased Dogal Strings at Classic Bows Violin Shop in San Diego. Their toll free number is 1-888-40 CLASSIC. Greg

: Henley lists a Johann Tichy working in "Olmutz (Moravia)" during the period in which your violin is labeled. I have never seen one nor do I know where Moravia is/was. Anyone have an old map?

: : Anyone has any experience using italian-made DOGAL : : strings (for violin) and how they compare in terms of : : quality/tone/depth/etc with others like the Thomastik, : : Pirastro, Corelli, etc ? I find these strings to be very good for my violin. I use the perlon g, d & a with the forte e string (special). This e-string has a real "singing" quality, absolutely incredible. I was told that this string has a higher carbon content than normal steel for strings. Greg G.