u/throwaway842351

Anyone have suggestions for the very best microphone out there for performing on the fiddle? Both with a band and solo?

Hi all,

I will need to play mic’d at times (outdoors and sometimes indoors on bigger stages). Curious if anyone has any suggested microphones (the kind you put on a stand, not that you clip to the violin).

Curious if anyone with experience has suggestions for the best mics to consider for the violin.

Thanks!

It’s fascinating how my parents and grandparents (and so many of our families, or you yourselves) came to the USA for a better life.

Then online I see these white dudes who seem like absolute losers moving to the Philippines for a better life because they can’t afford or succeed in the USA.

It’s like the top, risk taking, or highly educated folks come to the USA from around the world, and these losers go abroad, and in this case the Filipinos have no clue and embrace these useless creeps.

Okay rant over…but curious your thoughts.

Just what I said above…want some good rational discussion by actual equity holders!

Edit: clearly this is not.

I did a lot of solo travel between 2000-2010. Work and life have made me pause (besides work travel).

Curious for those who also traveled way back, social media and phones changed the experience? Positives? Negatives? Thoughts in general?

More curiosity than anything.

Anyone see the new Airbnb ad (it’s on their Facebook page if you dare) that puts down the violin teaching profession, and in my mind the importance of music education? Gross.

We have a 6 month old. Our marriage has taken a huge hit since he was born. My wife only talks about baby stuff and never talks about anything or asks how I’m doing (I’m the opposite when talking to her), and can’t seem to stop criticizing me.

Im there as a dad and am mostly a stay at home father, so 100% of the cooking and most cleaning plus helping with baby care while working part time. Unsure how much longer I can take this. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells all the time. I look back at old photos of my wife so happy and I and get sad. Our baby is great and healthy which is super.

Dunno my point besides a little rant. This happen to any of you? How did you get through it, or did you? Or any words of support helpful. I get criticized enough at home so maybe take it easy on me :)

Topic geared to the professional/advanced, luthier, or collector crowd.

I know there have been some famous comparisons between old and modern fine violins. Has this ever been done with bows, comparing, say top modern makers (both wood and say, arcus 8/9 series), vs old French bows that cost 100x? I’d guess the results may be similar to the violin studies, but what do I know.

Or do any of you have any experience comparing them, or thoughts in general?

I had a free night and decided to have a newer big city club adventure to see what nightlife is like these days.

It felt totally different than 20 years ago. People were filming everything, and everyone was aware of the phones and just did stuff to look good on phones. Not nearly as many people were drinking as 20 years and no one got sloshed. No one. A good thing I guess, but part of me just loved how everyone didn’t give a crap and had fun back in the day. Some too much of course. It’s a completely different world now - way less fun in my opinion. The cameras would make me uncomfortable if I were really partying…just thinking how photos (I don’t remember videos) before were for us. Now videos are for the world to see.

Maybe I’ll go to a club in 20 more years and see what it’s like then!

Anyone have this experience?

I’m referring to white westerners, not Filipino blood. These are the descendants of people who beat down my ancestors, and now they go there and make content - it is very obvious to me they think they are better than Filipinos based on how they talk and act, even if they come across as nice. It is a subtle thing sometimes - maybe they don’t even realize their own bias.

Curious if anyone feels similarly.

For the pros out there, what would your rate be for 1 hour wedding pre-ceremony violin playing for guests coming in in New York City. Any music is fine so I wouldn’t need to prep anything new really. No ceremony needed.

Never got this kind of request as I usually have to prep new things, so curious your thoughts.

If money were no issue, what strings would you put on your violin, and why?

We had our first child a few weeks ago. My wife went from loving and caring to seemingly contempt after a week of lack of sleep. She seems to criticize everything I do and also is directive in telling me to do things. I am doing my best (chores, cooking, diaper change, etc).

I’m trying to be understanding given how tough it is and her sleep deprivation. Any experience or thoughts here?

For those of you who own a backup violin, tell us about it!

What is it, how much did it cost (or what’s it worth now), and what do you like or dislike about it? What do you use it for?

My backup is actually the violin I used as a student — a Chinese workshop violin I bought for about $1,200 around 12 years ago. It’s become my travel/outdoor show/“around kids” violin. Super easy to play, surprisingly durable, and honestly very well built for the price.

I also own a $30 thrift-store violin that I experiment on and bring camping and around water. More of a VSO than a real instrument, but fun to tinker with.

How about yours?

I had a random thought - would you prefer playing/practicing on very fresh “basic” strings like fiddlerman or dominants (maybe 4-7 days old), or 3-4 week old high end professional strings (like dynamos) that have been played in with heavy practice, are past their peak, but not quite ready for a change?

Talking about advanced level or professional playing/practicing here. Curious your thoughts!