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neshura |
My husband plays guitar and is learning (clawhammer) banjo, and I wanted to pick something up where we'd be at similar competency levels and be able to learn simple songs together.
So my mother, who is one child short of a wind quintet, started looking at instruments for her new granddaughter last year. On Helena's first birthday, she received a half or maybe 3/4 size violin. It cost $5 at a yard sale in Pennsylvania.
But see... even a normal size child of three years would not be able to use a violin of this size. My little girl, while healthy and normal, is in the 3rd percentile at two years old. A strong wind would carry her to Delaware. Chances are good that this violin is not going to see any use for at least six or eight years.
Coming back to wanting to pick up an instrument, I have quite a few of them; collected them over the years. The 100 year old english concertina isn't in bad shape, but it does need a few repairs that I can't afford.
My hubby wants me to pick up the mandolin, but a new mandolin, while also relatively inexpensive, would still be money out the door, and I'd rather save up to get him a nice openback banjo.
So, this violin is just hanging out, in perfect working order, and while it is a bit little, that doesn't bother me too much. I have tiny hands myself; had to practice for years to reach a full octave on piano. I picked it up the other day, wandered over to the Daily Frail to find a tune, and worked up Lynchburg Town. So far, I've got the pizzicato down just fine. Not bad for the first day of fiddling, but I've got a long way to go on the bowing.
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