Hello fellow former Violinist! So sorry to hear your hickey troubles caused your demise. Speaking of violin-related injuries, I heard from a doctor friend years ago there's a hospital ward in Boston filled with violinists with shoulder injuries.
I started out as a Suzuki kid in first grade and ended up with a BMusEd, teaching and conducting. I'm envious of you seeing Anne-Sophie Mutter play in Carnegie Hall.
Hey, thanks Ofifoto! It’s okay. I have come to terms with it. I sure believe that about shoulder injuries. I strained my left should a few years ago at Ikea and I can’t hold it properly. People don’t think about physical constraints of musical instruments enough.
It was a great concert to watch, although it was a while ago now. I was a private violin teacher for many years, and while I didn’t teach the Suzuki method, I used the Suzuki books. I still love the pieces included. I’m envious of your conducting! It is such a difficult undertaking.
The Suzuki books are fabulous resources. My conducting was capped at the high school level. I *loved* playing in orchestras and chamber music, until my most recent community orchestra experience. It got a bit bitchy and political for me, so I left. I was a second violinist (lead) in a second-rate (third, fourth?) orchestra, hahaha.
Ha! I was the same in a (4th rate??) community orchestra. I always stayed out of the politics. Not here in Newport, OR, they have a really good community orchestra but I think they bring in pros for concerts.
I don't know if you ever watched MASH, but the guy who played Maj. Winchester III (David Ogden Stiers) was a conductor here and a major contributor to the orchestra. Pretty cool, but I never got to see him conduct (slightly before my time here).
Wow, Adam! Talk about pulling back the curtain (on your life) in a fine Essay. My younger niece has played violin with the Naples (not Italy) Philharmonic here in Florida. Her husband is a violist in the same encampment of orchestra musicians. They’ve had their fill of hurricanes and tornadoes and bears. Oh my! Really. Their home is on the market and they are moving to Baltimore. She to teach stringed instruments at the high school level. He? To be determined. He’s a bit of a Renaissance man. He may focus on inventions he’s already copyrighted or pursue new inventions?? Or. Or. If you search Naples, FL, you’ll recognize some of the owners of seasonal homes/mansions. Sean Hannity being only one of the note worthy snowbirds. It takes those types of monied folks to fund ongoing operations and repairs to the Phil.
So glad to hear of you and K. L.’s junket to Carnegie Hall. That must have felt glorious. And well deserved after the disqualifying hickey. Shakespeare wrote, “ The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in the stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” I’d like to hear his opining on violin hickeys!
I’ve wandered far afield, Adam! If this is a fresh chapter from an upcoming memoir/autobiography, I await with an expectant mind. 🙏🏽
I really like this story. Thank you for sharing. It is relatable as my high school aged son is a violist and has been dealing with bullies since the 6th grade. Perhaps I will advise him to stock his viola case with nun chucks and throwing stars...
Thanks so much, Jason! I'm sorry to hear that about your son. The violin/viola is a bully-magnet I guess. My solution probably wouldn't go over so well in modern America 😅 PS: The Viola is a very difficult instrument in my estimation. It's bigger and you have to learn the Alto Clef which is odd, and then move into the higher registers. Best of luck to him!!
Always enjoy what you write. Brought memories of my daughter playing “twinkle, twinkle little star” on her flute and then my granddaughter screeching it out on her violin. The funniest was your hickey from the violin. Kudos for you not giving up immediately.
Thank you, Monica!! The screeching Twinkle Twinkle is brutal. I taught ten different beginner violins for a few years and it is engrained into my soul. I still pull the violin out on occasion, but now my shoulder hurts!
Adam, thank you, I appreciate your story. In the history of Rock Music, one rarely hears of a violin or fiddle solo, busting out in the middle of a song like a sarcastic, taunting, compliment to Mr. Rod Stewart’s young voice. In the attached song, two extra treats arrive with Ron Wood’s guitar and Rod Stewart’s “barking, at the end.” Additionally, the lyrics modify a very funny fable. But, to me, the real treat is the violin break/solo. I hope you enjoy “Cut Across Shorty” from the Gasoline Alley album.
Thanks, Phil!! Yeah, violin is not very prominent in Rock. It is like Flute in Jazz. (except in the 70s LOL). I just listened to the Rod Stewart song. I like it! :-)
Loved this piece you wrote. I read it aloud to my violin/cello making partner who laughed and chuckled all through it. He has been a maker in Portland area for 60 years, so he understood both the draw to the field and the pathos of your misfortunes. Thanks for a great read.
Thanks so much, Ginevra!! And thanks for sharing it with your partner as well. A Luthier! That is the top of the tops to me. I didn't mention this in the story, but I was also extremely frightened of power tools. But, yeah, that line of (wood)work to me is still AMAZING.
Great story, Adam! I tried the Violin for a semester or so.... wish I had the hickey. That is such a legit reason to quit 😃 Rather than "I don't like this" = so lame 😂 The foresite to keep that scholarship is genius 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks so much, Melanie! I would definitely be a violinist instead of a writer if not for the hickey... and theory class! I love scholarship money sooo much 😹😹
What a great story! I picked up the fiddle at age 21 and it has brought me a steady supply of neck and jaw problems ever since. When I got my old violin back from the luthier I played a few tunes and immediately developed a cyst. A truly beautiful and cursed instrument.
Thanks Annie! Yeah, I love the violin, but it is definitely a torture device and cursed. Humans were not meant to hold anything in that manner 😂 I grabbed it out the other day for this story and now my wrists have been really sore and thumb barely moves.
Great story! There must be some toxic SHIT in that varnish! I was hoping you might learn about some wood treatment alternatives in your course, but, sadly, it must have stayed strictly in-the-box. Too bad they don’t make neck gloves! Or you could have brought back the beatnik statement turtle-neck fashion to your obviously lacking-in-imagination school. I went to one of those, too, by the way. Still the setting of many nightmares.
LOL! Thanks so much Jill. I wish I could have just worn black turtlenecks like I was Steve Jobs or something. I tried that and just about everything else. It’s a dermatological mystery.
I'm not "in the know" when it comes to violins and orchestral community things but, if no one's beaten you to it, there could be real money in figuring a solution (simple or other invention) to resolve that violin hickey quagmire.
Yeah, there are various pads that cover the chinrest, but it is probably just the pressure that causes it. It stymies lots of players. The violin has to be one of the most difficult instruments to hold.
On the TV show Little House On The Prairie, the main character holds the violin down in the crook of his arm and fiddles.
Well, Adam...I moved to Wisconsin as a young adult, so I never had to endure any of the Wisconsin school systems. Menomonee is a place I enjoy visiting, so your bullies must've grown into decent folk or moved. So...that's something. On the other hand...your bullies may have just moved to Madison. If you don't agree with "everything" Those People promote, you'll catch hell.
Hello fellow former Violinist! So sorry to hear your hickey troubles caused your demise. Speaking of violin-related injuries, I heard from a doctor friend years ago there's a hospital ward in Boston filled with violinists with shoulder injuries.
I started out as a Suzuki kid in first grade and ended up with a BMusEd, teaching and conducting. I'm envious of you seeing Anne-Sophie Mutter play in Carnegie Hall.
Hey, thanks Ofifoto! It’s okay. I have come to terms with it. I sure believe that about shoulder injuries. I strained my left should a few years ago at Ikea and I can’t hold it properly. People don’t think about physical constraints of musical instruments enough.
It was a great concert to watch, although it was a while ago now. I was a private violin teacher for many years, and while I didn’t teach the Suzuki method, I used the Suzuki books. I still love the pieces included. I’m envious of your conducting! It is such a difficult undertaking.
The Suzuki books are fabulous resources. My conducting was capped at the high school level. I *loved* playing in orchestras and chamber music, until my most recent community orchestra experience. It got a bit bitchy and political for me, so I left. I was a second violinist (lead) in a second-rate (third, fourth?) orchestra, hahaha.
Ha! I was the same in a (4th rate??) community orchestra. I always stayed out of the politics. Not here in Newport, OR, they have a really good community orchestra but I think they bring in pros for concerts.
I don't know if you ever watched MASH, but the guy who played Maj. Winchester III (David Ogden Stiers) was a conductor here and a major contributor to the orchestra. Pretty cool, but I never got to see him conduct (slightly before my time here).
That's really great. I have a vague memory of him being a violinist.
Leaders of the seconds fist bump! 👊
Wow, Adam! Talk about pulling back the curtain (on your life) in a fine Essay. My younger niece has played violin with the Naples (not Italy) Philharmonic here in Florida. Her husband is a violist in the same encampment of orchestra musicians. They’ve had their fill of hurricanes and tornadoes and bears. Oh my! Really. Their home is on the market and they are moving to Baltimore. She to teach stringed instruments at the high school level. He? To be determined. He’s a bit of a Renaissance man. He may focus on inventions he’s already copyrighted or pursue new inventions?? Or. Or. If you search Naples, FL, you’ll recognize some of the owners of seasonal homes/mansions. Sean Hannity being only one of the note worthy snowbirds. It takes those types of monied folks to fund ongoing operations and repairs to the Phil.
So glad to hear of you and K. L.’s junket to Carnegie Hall. That must have felt glorious. And well deserved after the disqualifying hickey. Shakespeare wrote, “ The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in the stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” I’d like to hear his opining on violin hickeys!
I’ve wandered far afield, Adam! If this is a fresh chapter from an upcoming memoir/autobiography, I await with an expectant mind. 🙏🏽
Thank you for the kind words, Gary! Wishing your family safe move.
I have been accused of being a Rennaisance Man before, but that’s just because I was an amateur jouster 😹😹
I really like this story. Thank you for sharing. It is relatable as my high school aged son is a violist and has been dealing with bullies since the 6th grade. Perhaps I will advise him to stock his viola case with nun chucks and throwing stars...
Thanks so much, Jason! I'm sorry to hear that about your son. The violin/viola is a bully-magnet I guess. My solution probably wouldn't go over so well in modern America 😅 PS: The Viola is a very difficult instrument in my estimation. It's bigger and you have to learn the Alto Clef which is odd, and then move into the higher registers. Best of luck to him!!
Always enjoy what you write. Brought memories of my daughter playing “twinkle, twinkle little star” on her flute and then my granddaughter screeching it out on her violin. The funniest was your hickey from the violin. Kudos for you not giving up immediately.
Thank you, Monica!! The screeching Twinkle Twinkle is brutal. I taught ten different beginner violins for a few years and it is engrained into my soul. I still pull the violin out on occasion, but now my shoulder hurts!
Adam, thank you, I appreciate your story. In the history of Rock Music, one rarely hears of a violin or fiddle solo, busting out in the middle of a song like a sarcastic, taunting, compliment to Mr. Rod Stewart’s young voice. In the attached song, two extra treats arrive with Ron Wood’s guitar and Rod Stewart’s “barking, at the end.” Additionally, the lyrics modify a very funny fable. But, to me, the real treat is the violin break/solo. I hope you enjoy “Cut Across Shorty” from the Gasoline Alley album.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iuc1oSuHNQU
Thanks again.
Thanks, Phil!! Yeah, violin is not very prominent in Rock. It is like Flute in Jazz. (except in the 70s LOL). I just listened to the Rod Stewart song. I like it! :-)
I play the old Camp Meeting Hymns on Cornet, was in a rock band ‘69-‘72, Soul & Brass Rock.
That is awesome. Must have been fun! My wife, @klrockwell played the Trumpet, and I do believe she could play the Cornet as well! :-)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D6CjLKFHzWY
I have some video, but can’t figure how to attach & send
You could always DM it over I think. It seems that the comments in posts don’t allow for as much as I would usually like.
I sent it
Got it! Very cool :-)
Loved this piece you wrote. I read it aloud to my violin/cello making partner who laughed and chuckled all through it. He has been a maker in Portland area for 60 years, so he understood both the draw to the field and the pathos of your misfortunes. Thanks for a great read.
Thanks so much, Ginevra!! And thanks for sharing it with your partner as well. A Luthier! That is the top of the tops to me. I didn't mention this in the story, but I was also extremely frightened of power tools. But, yeah, that line of (wood)work to me is still AMAZING.
Kiitos sinulle
Kiitos kun luit!
Write more essays. This was an enjoyable read. Sorry about the violin hickey.
Thanks so much, Pam! I appreciate that. 😄 I may have to take up playing the fiddle like "Pa" on Little House On The Prairie? :-)
Playing the fiddle would okay too! Love fiddle music.
Wow! What a story. I played the violin from 6th grade to college. I never knew something like that could happen.
Thanks, Amber! I didn't either 😭😭😹
You’re welcome.
I don't know anything about violins other than they usually make me cry.
Same with me 😅😂
Great story, Adam! I tried the Violin for a semester or so.... wish I had the hickey. That is such a legit reason to quit 😃 Rather than "I don't like this" = so lame 😂 The foresite to keep that scholarship is genius 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks so much, Melanie! I would definitely be a violinist instead of a writer if not for the hickey... and theory class! I love scholarship money sooo much 😹😹
What a great story! I picked up the fiddle at age 21 and it has brought me a steady supply of neck and jaw problems ever since. When I got my old violin back from the luthier I played a few tunes and immediately developed a cyst. A truly beautiful and cursed instrument.
Thanks Annie! Yeah, I love the violin, but it is definitely a torture device and cursed. Humans were not meant to hold anything in that manner 😂 I grabbed it out the other day for this story and now my wrists have been really sore and thumb barely moves.
Great story! There must be some toxic SHIT in that varnish! I was hoping you might learn about some wood treatment alternatives in your course, but, sadly, it must have stayed strictly in-the-box. Too bad they don’t make neck gloves! Or you could have brought back the beatnik statement turtle-neck fashion to your obviously lacking-in-imagination school. I went to one of those, too, by the way. Still the setting of many nightmares.
LOL! Thanks so much Jill. I wish I could have just worn black turtlenecks like I was Steve Jobs or something. I tried that and just about everything else. It’s a dermatological mystery.
This is hilarious, although I’m sorry you suffered! Nun chucks in the case 😂
Thanks so much, Alison! I still have the violin hickey, but unfortunately, not the nunchuks 😹😹😹
By the way...
I'm not "in the know" when it comes to violins and orchestral community things but, if no one's beaten you to it, there could be real money in figuring a solution (simple or other invention) to resolve that violin hickey quagmire.
Yeah, there are various pads that cover the chinrest, but it is probably just the pressure that causes it. It stymies lots of players. The violin has to be one of the most difficult instruments to hold.
On the TV show Little House On The Prairie, the main character holds the violin down in the crook of his arm and fiddles.
Well, Adam...I moved to Wisconsin as a young adult, so I never had to endure any of the Wisconsin school systems. Menomonee is a place I enjoy visiting, so your bullies must've grown into decent folk or moved. So...that's something. On the other hand...your bullies may have just moved to Madison. If you don't agree with "everything" Those People promote, you'll catch hell.
You survived.
Thanks Maurice! Yeah, it was a LONG time ago. Menomonie is a good place. Just not the Junior High in 1986.
Hey, I lived in Madison for a bit, well, Middleton. I prefer Menomonie and Eau Claire. :-)