[fan6@mac.com]

Well okay! I’m a fan of Québécois so this is good.

[fan6@mac.com]

Right now I’m listening to Appalachian old time. Off the top I guess Bruce Molsky, Tricia Spencer and Howard Reins, and Emily Schaad. But the spark to my interest in fiddling came from the playing of Alison Krauss, a onetime child fiddle prodigy who won the Illinois State fiddle contest at age 12. I don’t think she plays much anymore, unfortunately.

[fan6@mac.com]

Yeah, it’s occurred to me to use sandpaper but always forget. But keeping an emery board handy should remind me. I can’t remember where but I read an account of jazz musicians in the ’50s using a razor to cut their calluses. It works but my hands aren’t as steady so an emery board sounds safer. Thanks.

[fan6@mac.com]

Ha! A marketing line from the music teachers association? But seriously, all too true. Sigh.

[fan6@mac.com]

Thanks Roland. I like this fiddle and hope to keep it for awhile. Still trying to figure out what strings to use. I’ve got two decent bows and not only do they sound different, but the diameter of the older one is smaller and that is the bow that pulls a more mellow sound. The new bow grabs the strings better pulling more volume but the tone seems to recede a bit. Sheesh. Well, I think concentrating on playing is the thing right now.

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