Violin Set up, Northern Streams, and Practice

My shoulder issues continue so I have had to down my practice time.  However, I am still playing, often 2- 4 hours, a day just with things I am committed to.  I have started some physiotherapy.   I have also been looking at my set up.  If you read my last blog you will see that I decided to try a Wolf shoulder rest.  They are fantastically adjustable but they didn't improve things.  I had bought higher screws for my Kun rest and I find the shaping  as comfortable as the Wolf  (don't be put off though - the Wolfs are great rests and may people love them).  

My next try is with a Mach one rest.  These are quite high and formed in quite a nice shape.  I have added a longer screw to see if that helps.  I have also bought a much higher chin rest.  So we shall see.  If that doesn't work my next plan is to try a Bon Musica one which has a hook.

I have been learning Danish tunes this weekend with Hal Parfitt Murray and Nikolaj Busk - both amazing musicians at the Northern Strems event which foster links between Scandnavian and Scottish music.   It has inspired me to look at Danish Music more.   I can't really afford the time at the moment but I booked ages ago.

Practice continues although I am trying to keep this to short bursts and then rest.  Improvisation is coming up on Tuesday so that is the immediate priority.  Dorian and mixolydian scales in Bb, Eb, F, Db and all sorts of other highly inconvenient keys on the fiddle, as well as blues scales and riffs.  After that it will be back to my recital pieces for some relief in A and A minor.

There is folk band work.  We are preparing for three upcoming performances in May and June - good new tunes.  I also have Grade 8  - I will be using my recital pieces but there are far more sets to add. I also have strings group preparation (Dido and Aeneas, which is amazing.   Very fast section.