Hello :)

I bought myself a 3/4 length violin about a month ago. I buy lots of odd little instruments. And I'm able to get a tune out of them eventually - But the violin is proving very tricky indeed.

I didn't know a thing about violin when I bought it. So there's been a couple of, 'Jesus, aren't I an idiot?' moments...Like when I learned about the fine tuners and the fact you had to tighten the bow and that! :)

My bow needs ambering up apparently - But I'm a bit wary about the application. Especially since it seems I'll need to use fire at some point. I don't want to ruin it or anything.

So aye, erm...If anyone here plays and could give my some tips about amber, it'd be much appreciated!

That's strange lol, I played violin for about 8 years and I've never heard about ambering a bow! I assume you don't mean putting rosin on it for friction?

Haha, aye...Rosin - That's the one :)

Ahh right, you shouldn't have a problem with that then! You can get rosin from any music shop really (well not like HMV but you know what I mean :P) - all you do is tighten the bow and rub the rosin onto it.

http://www.violinonline.com/rosinandsound.htm -- explains it all :)

Why would you need to use fire at some point? I have never head of that and I have been playing violin for 18 years.

I thought I might of had to melt the rosin - Mind, that's back when I thought it was amber :D - We're getting there ;)

Just got me first non-whispy violin sound!!
Thanks very much, Footloose - I think you just made my day :D

Haha np, enjoy :)

Wow my brothers learning violin as well now - he says its a great instrument cos it can create emotion without any help from other instruments.

That's a nice thought. So far though I think the only emotion I've touched upon is loathing of the instrument from my neighbours :) It's very loud! Certainly not for post 9pm entertainment.

I was visiting my Mam when I bought it, she was with me. So I got her strait on the phone to hear some of the noise! She was happy though :)

ahh...rosin and the smell of it. I assume you have yourself a block of it. Just scratch the surface of it with some house/car keys and that'll do ya!

ANd why a 3/4 violin? that's what we got as 11-12 year olds. Regardless, it should be fun!

PS.....you can do it on your own. Plenty of great fiddle players cant read a note! But its nice to know scales....

I picked it up in a closing down music shop over in Barrow. I could of spent a fortune in there, but I don't have a fortune :) The 3/4 violin was just the cheapest instrument before you were in harmonica/kazoo territory!

I've got some other child's instruments I dig a fair bit, like the zither and a small xylophone - If it makes a pretty noise I'll have it :)

I got a 3/4 when I first started playing. I still have it and play because it has such a different sound than my full size. I love it. It is lighter and brighter. You can get such a beautiful tone.

You'll soon be playing along with the levellers!!!

I played on a 3/4 until very recently, and im over 6 ft myself, its not too difficult. A proper sized instrument helps though.