tonyelder - Posted - 10/28/2022:  00:08:06

..physically spent. Worked HARD last few days - physically  ...I mean  really hard. You are not just sore - you are really tired. You what to stop and relax - time to unwind,

But - the music is calling - you know it is good therapy - you feel compelled...  Get the fiddle out ...what do you play?

No, I don't necessarily mean the names of a tunes - but what do you play?  What will be the best therapy?

I was reminded today. If you haven't been there - I bet - you will be.

Your thoughts?

Edited by - tonyelder on 10/28/2022 00:11:49

RobBob - Posted - 10/28/2022:  05:20:50

When I pick up an instrument, any and I cannot seem to get things to gel, I know it is me and not the instrument. Everything is harder than it has to be, the things you could do yesterday are unattainable and nothing seems in tune or in sync, it's me. At these times I rest and perhaps listen and maybe even fall asleep listening. But playing, that ain't going to happen until I get my mojo back.

RichJ - Posted - 10/28/2022:  06:05:16

Many things go into an enjoyable, at home, spontaneous fiddle playing session. For me being overtired isn't one of them.

farmerjones - Posted - 10/28/2022:  06:16:49

I dunno? I got these tremors. They say it's not parkisons. It seems better if my glucose is higher, but they say im not diabetic. But my latest video looks like I'm using vibrato. (trust me, I'm not) If I'm tapped out from hard labor, I could probably still muster a tune yet. Because my setup plays itself. I guess it's my re-charger. It's medicine.

tonyelder - Posted - 10/28/2022:  07:38:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by farmerjones

I dunno? I got these tremors. They say it's not parkisons. It seems better if my glucose is higher, but they say im not diabetic. But my latest video looks like I'm using vibrato. (trust me, I'm not) If I'm tapped out from hard labor, I could probably still muster a tune yet. Because my setup plays itself. I guess it's my re-charger. It's medicine.

---

I admire your resolve.

Health issues can be a real and very understandable reason for not wanting to play. For me - today - playing is medicine. I hope I am able to play until my last day here. (which makes me think of Lee's story about Rose).

Prayers for my friend.

tonyelder - Posted - 10/28/2022:  07:54:50

After moving back south - work kept me from playing regularly. In Alaska I played everyday - sometimes for hours. Here - sometimes it has been literally months at a time between playing any music. Sad, but “You do what you must do and ya do it well.” (B. Dylan)

I recently retired. I'm trying to use the free time I have now to "knock off the rust" and also learn some new tunes. But I also have several outside projects around the house that I want to get done before spring. Some of those involve hard physical work.

Tuesday - I came in the house after a hard day (the previous days were just as hard). I called it a day, cleaned up, and sat down - then realized the free time could be spent playing fiddle.  

I figured I would work on leaning a few new tunes.  Oh my... nothing went well. I became so frustrated, and instead of giving in - I pushed myself harder. I finally realized that – if I was going to get anything out of playing fiddle at all - at that moment - I needed to play my favorite tunes, the ones I know the best and are the most fun to play. The new tunes can wait for another day. That got me back on track.

I put the fiddle down after a few - rather than ruin the moment. 

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 10/28/2022:  08:49:06

My friend had a leaking freeze proof hydrant that needed replacement. IT did not go well. With her help it was dug up pulled and replaced, cross threaded , retapped, replaced again and finally worked without leaking. < sigh. Tuesday evening I had the time to play a bit of fiddle. I was so sore and tired that nothing went well. I eventually thanked my fiddle for the effort and put it up. I knew that in another day or two all would be well. So it goes. R/

Mark Douglas - Posted - 10/28/2022:  11:08:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by RichJ

Many things go into an enjoyable, at home, spontaneous fiddle playing session. For me being overtired isn't one of them.

---

I hear ya...

Try as I may.... I just cannot enjoy playing when I am exhausted.

However, when the spirit is willing but the body isn't... I play a few tunes and then retire for the day.

doryman - Posted - 10/28/2022:  12:10:45

I usually play in the evening, after work and after the kids are fed, and their homework's done and they are off to bed. Plus any chores I have to do. Then, finally the fiddle. Sometimes I'm so tired, I've actually fallen asleep while playing.

boxbow - Posted - 10/28/2022:  12:16:00

Over the last month I ignored my fiddle. I seldom picked up my mandolin and that only briefly. I went through some flu and then I went through Covid and now, finally, I actually feel like picking up my fiddle. There was no mojo to speak of. Maybe it was like losing my sense of smell. Anyway, playing now reminds me of how it felt to play immediately after some hard physical work, which for me was that I got through the overgrip phase right away. Too tired. My bowing gets to me quicker, but until then I can play more nimbly than usual. For a while. As for what to play, it's best to skip through a bunch of tunes quickly without much repetition. Break any and all rules for a proper practice, 'cause it's LEISURE TIME!

Erockin - Posted - 10/28/2022:  12:23:54

I watch videos when I can't practice. I've been working 40hr a week in the office...rehearsing for recording sessions on upright bass...learning new songs for shows in different bands...meanwhile wanting to create in my studio and then also trying to fit the fiddle practice in and some days there is no strength or time. So in that case I watch videos of people playing. I learn from those when I can't practice. Sleep Sleep Sleep!!!

Lonesome Fiddler - Posted - 10/28/2022:  13:04:26

When the music jones hits and I don't have the energy to adequately play one of my musical instruments, I listen to my stereo.

TuneWeaver - Posted - 10/28/2022:  14:20:55

WHen my hands get wiped out from fiddling I take a time break and just go do something else. That may mena hours or Days....The last thing I need is to damage my hands/body/brain by not giving them priority over my fiddle.
If I'm physically tired I remind myself that I can fiddle later..Lots to do for the lovely wife...and there IS more to life than music...

groundhogpeggy - Posted - 10/28/2022:  16:56:22

Theere've been times I can play tired and times i just can't. And it depends on the type of tired I am too. Some types of tired, fiddling helps, other types will stop you.

Fiddling is my medicine too...not just fiddling, but playing music. But there are times when the medicine just don't work...I don't know, Tony...there is one thing...there are times when we all get too busy or bogged down with something or tired or exhausted, and we put the music on the shelf, so to speak...as traditionally great old fiddlers often had to do for years. And Dwight Diller told me that he thought that was usually a pretty good thing...you get the music in you, you have to take a break for a while...it sort of brews inside waiting to take ya back...when you're ready. Not his exact words, but something to that effect. But it's frustrating when we wanna play and it's just either not happening or not easy to do.

Old Scratch - Posted - 10/28/2022:  17:04:59

If I'm that beat, I take a nap. Even if I'm not that beat, I'll still take a nap. In fact, I think I'll go take a nap right now. See ya later, gang.

Lonesome Fiddler - Posted - 10/28/2022:  18:09:51

Oh yeah -- don't forget the shaky bow, iffy intonation and fuzzy tone.

Flat_the_3rd_n7th - Posted - 10/28/2022:  18:44:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lonesome Fiddler

Oh yeah -- don't forget the shaky bow, iffy intonation and fuzzy tone.

---

This here.

Run a chainsaw, and your bow arm will sound like Frankenstein, and your noting hand will attempt to rip the neck off the body.  Better to wait awhile.

Flat_the_3rd_n7th - Posted - 10/28/2022:  18:50:25

quote:

---

Originally posted by farmerjones

I dunno? I got these tremors. They say it's not parkisons. It seems better if my glucose is higher, but they say im not diabetic. But my latest video looks like I'm using vibrato. (trust me, I'm not) If I'm tapped out from hard labor, I could probably still muster a tune yet. Because my setup plays itself. I guess it's my re-charger. It's medicine.

---

Steve, I have these, too, but only in bow arm (what did I do to deserve that?)  It's not every day, but when it is I combat it with a LITTLE moonshine and it smooths out quickly.

They say you can take Beta Blockers to stop it, and I intend to ask for a Rx the next time I'm in.

BTW, are you actually a lefty or is your video a mirror?  Enjoyed it either way.

ChickenMan - Posted - 10/28/2022:  19:37:21

Often, being tired is my favorite time to play whatever instrument I choose to play. Sometimes it's fiddle, others it's ukulele or whistle or flute (not as often - it takes some effort to play) and lately guitar. I've been working on a new tune and need the chord changes to work out the details. End of the day is the only time I have alone to focus so I'm used to playing while tired.



As has been said above, music is my medicine. It is also the window to my heart, my inspiration and life's drive. When I'm writing music, I usually go to sleep with the new tune in my head and get up in the middle of the night (to pee) with it in my head, and wake in the morning with new ideas. Sometimes the work is accompanied by music in my head.



If the labor invoved a power tool, forget about serious fiddling. Push mower, weed whacker, sander, chainsaw... they all do weird things to your muscles and finger sensitivity. That doesn't mean I don't play it, but am aware that it won't be ideal.

Edited by - ChickenMan on 10/28/2022 19:38:36

farmerjones - Posted - 10/28/2022:  20:14:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by Flat_the_3rd_n7th

BTW, are you actually a lefty or is your video a mirror?  Enjoyed it either way.

---

I can eat and drink with either hand, but the hand on the fingerboard is my left. I have to look into that setting on my tablet camera. 

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 10/28/2022:  21:14:03

I’m not sure I have a definite answer to what I’d play, as I tend to vary my repertoire quite a lot. Sometimes I’m in the mood for Bach, sometimes it’s Wienawski, or Paganini, or Sarasate, or Joe Venuti, or Old Time, or English folk tunes, or…..

Like a few have mentioned already, playing is a wonderful elixir. I used to practice every day, but I just don’t get many opportunities these days. I tend to do most of my playing when I’m trying violins out after setting them up or if I’m asked to play for customers during business hours, and at jams or sessions when I attend them on some weekends.

ChickenMan - Posted - 10/28/2022:  21:17:36

quote:

---

Originally posted by farmerjones

quote:

---

Originally posted by Flat_the_3rd_n7th

BTW, are you actually a lefty or is your video a mirror?  Enjoyed it either way.

---

I can eat and drink with either hand, but the hand on the fingerboard is my left. I have to look into that setting on my tablet camera. 

---

I am very ambidextrous. Can eat, drink, throw, play pool and even write (with a little consistent practice) left handed. Apparently, when I was a child, my mom forced me to be 'right handed' when I ate and drew because school was geared towards right handers and she thought I would be at a disadvantage.

Sorry for the drift. 

groundhogpeggy - Posted - 10/29/2022:  05:15:26

I always wanted to be ambidextrous...my dad totally just was naturally...if he wrote something, he just absentmindedly picked up a pen in either hand and went to it...when he ate he just did whichever...and he was a big baseball nut too...so I grew up playing catch from the time I could walk...he somehow got gloves through his job...so we always had our baseball gloves and I guess there weren't many days that went by when he didn't have us out there playing catch no matter how busy he was...anyway, he had to have two gloves, because some days he felt like throwing with the right, other days with the left. I always thought that was so neat, but I'd try and try growing up...nope...I'm just very stuck right=handed. Back when i broke my right arm, very inconveniently...lol...gosh I found out for SURE during those healing months...I am certainly NOT ambidextrous...but I sure think it would be cool. My dad could also write backwards...just as fast as writing frontwards...you had to hold notes up to a mirror sometimes to read them...he could read them and write them backwards and forwards just as fast...lol...anybody do that? So interesting how people are wired up.

groundhogpeggy - Posted - 10/29/2022:  05:18:01

It is really bad to operate weed wackers and chain saws and try to play, or do ANYTHING...lol...I even have trouble getting a drink. We have battery operated saws and weed wackers now...slightly better, but you still have the motor vibes stuck in your arms and hands for a while.

Fiddler - Posted - 10/29/2022:  11:22:27

If I am physically tired and try to play, I nearly always resort to playing "comfort" tunes - those tunes that are familiar, relatively simple and don't require much physical energy. So, these will be song melodies, waltzes, etc.

Sometimes, it just does not "happen" for me. Regardless of what I do, I sound like garbage, and it turns into a very unpleasant experience. Before I get overly frustrated, I will put the instrument down and do something else - relax, take a nap, read, watch tv - just do anything passive and "mindless."

To me, it just means that my brain and my muscles are not communicating well. It takes time for my muscles to recover. After a rest period (~1-2 hrs) I will return and all will be well and right with the world.

Old Scratch - Posted - 10/30/2022:  09:44:03

groundhogpeggy Your father could've given Leonardo da Vinci a run for his money ... what an extraordinary brain ... !

groundhogpeggy - Posted - 10/30/2022:  15:53:05

Yeah...he could juggle too...like nobdy else i've ever seen. I can juggle a little, but he could do all sorts of tricks with his juggling.

hokelore - Posted - 10/31/2022:  04:56:45

Playing when I'm exhausted will put me to sleep. I suppose it's the soothing effect of the music.

mtnfidil - Posted - 10/31/2022:  11:40:33

If I'm that spent, I usually will just play mandolin. Especially if I've been cutting trees or doing other farm work. Or after a particularly long and busy shift at work. I've tried to play fiddle at those times but usually get frustrated or just can't get inspired because I need something a little more restful. As in loll on the couch and noodle restful.  If I'm so spent that even the mandolin is tough, then I read! At least for me, if it gets to the point of struggling to play in a satisfying way when tired, it seems like it almost can set me back a bit.

Edited by - mtnfidil on 10/31/2022 11:41:18

Old Scratch - Posted - 10/31/2022:  12:18:32

groundhogpeggy Well, I never heard of Leonardo juggling, so maybe your dad had that up on him ... ! (groundhogpeggy's dad, that is).

groundhogpeggy - Posted - 10/31/2022:  13:06:07

lol...well he never invented anything, so Leonardo is still leading the way...no competition there.