My secret santa giftee is an in-law who I have never met. 50-something, craftsman (violin-maker). Budget is £25 (ca. $40). My hope: something sock-knocking in the classical or folk vein; preferably on the new side.
posted by sagwalla on Nov 16, 2009 - 14 answers

What do Linux people do for realtime music effects? [more inside]
posted by Squid Voltaire on Oct 5, 2009 - 4 answers

How to get rid of a viola "hickey"? [more inside]
posted by kylej on Sep 26, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm considering a new violin... but I live in an apartment. And I have no intention of performing for anyone but myself. What's the most reasonable violin to get, and how can I best keep from driving my neighbors insane? [more inside]
posted by katillathehun on Aug 13, 2009 - 13 answers

Why is the wooden block at the end of a violin bow called a "frog"?
posted by mendel on Jul 11, 2009 - 5 answers

fiddle filter: why won't my arm do what I want it to do when I play the fiddle? [more inside]
posted by crazylegs on Jun 8, 2009 - 12 answers

I have a friend who is a violinist. She's only played and listened to classical violin music. Please recommend artists and recordings of non-classical violin. [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek on Jun 1, 2009 - 49 answers

Please help me identify this song! [more inside]
posted by Baby_Balrog on May 9, 2009 - 7 answers

Looking for excellent, traditional,(i.e. not westernized) examples of Moroccan music featuring the violin. [more inside]
posted by jeremias on Apr 21, 2009 - 7 answers

Violin-to-Viola: please help me with a sound, non-bad-habit-forming technique to read and play alto clef after 27 years of treble only. [more inside]
posted by ViolaGrinder on Apr 19, 2009 - 20 answers

What are some resources and events for adult amateur classical musicians? [more inside]
posted by sully75 on Mar 24, 2009 - 4 answers

How to transpose cello music for violin? [more inside]
posted by sconbie on Mar 5, 2009 - 16 answers

I'm looking for some books on music (the playing thereof). One on developing rhythmic skills and then any good recomendations on the performance of classical music. [more inside]
posted by sully75 on Feb 10, 2009 - 9 answers

Does anyone know of a good wrist brace for a violinist? [more inside]
posted by vaguelyweird on Dec 30, 2008 - 4 answers

Songs for acoustic guitar and beginner violinist? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Dec 15, 2008 - 11 answers

Instrumentalists: How do you practice long pieces? [more inside]
posted by Melismata on Nov 6, 2008 - 11 answers

What is the song in this video? Sounds like some sort of string-based (violin?) instrumental hip-hop.
posted by archagon on Sep 13, 2008 - 5 answers

My music theory professor challenged our class to identify a married couple where one plays the violin and the other the trumpet. His theory is that the personalities of violin and trumpet players clash. Can anyone name a prominent musical couple where one plays a bowed instrument and the other brass? I would imagine that a saxophone player or drummer would be equally incompatible with a string player.
posted by swarkentien on Sep 1, 2008 - 14 answers

Can anyone identify this piece of classical music which is featured in this video clip, it appears at the beginning and at 4:54. [more inside]
posted by ashaw on Aug 25, 2008 - 1 answer

What songs feature the pizzicato technique? [more inside]
posted by Korou on Jul 24, 2008 - 24 answers

What music written after 1830 is playable by an amateur violinist? [more inside]
posted by spamguy on Jul 7, 2008 - 4 answers

Can you recommend me great modern violinists? Like Jo Young-wook, Paul Cantelon, etc. [more inside]
posted by Leech on May 8, 2008 - 7 answers

12tone Music: I need a little help regarding Alban Berg's Violin Concerto [more inside]
posted by freddymetz on Apr 22, 2008 - 1 answer

What composition/recording does the eerie melody played by the solo violin in the trailer to Crispin Glover's film What Is It? come from? Does anyone recognize the tune and/or recording? (YouTube link to trailer inside). [more inside]
posted by treepour on Apr 12, 2008 - 5 answers

Can you offer any advice on a violin pickup? [more inside]
posted by lauranesson on Apr 9, 2008 - 9 answers

Given that I have a somewhat substantial history playing the piano, how difficult would it be to take up lessons for the piano again after years out of practice AND start, for the first time, lessons on the Violin? How beneficial would such "cross training" be? How difficult would it be to find a teacher who could guide me on such a hybrid path? Other Thoughts? [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on Apr 8, 2008 - 5 answers

Where can I find free sheet music for the violin part in They Might Be Giant's Istanbul (Not Constantinople)?
posted by lunit on Apr 5, 2008 - 5 answers

I'm after violin sheet music that has been inspired by physics - any suggestions or recommendations? [more inside]
posted by sleep_walker on Mar 6, 2008 - 9 answers

How much should I charge to play violin at an old classmate's wedding? [more inside]
posted by chihiro on Mar 1, 2008 - 9 answers

Name the darkest, most evil fiddle player out there. Atonal, discordant, scratchy, and furious are all big pluses. [more inside]
posted by Thin Lizzy on Feb 15, 2008 - 34 answers

Help me get a good gift for a young violin player. [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Dec 11, 2007 - 15 answers

I'm looking for more instrumental music that sounds similar to the violin-heavy themes in FARGO, THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES, and LoTR: THE TWO TOWERS. [more inside]
posted by (bb|[^b]{2}) on Nov 21, 2007 - 26 answers

What's the Stairway of the violin? [more inside]
posted by darksasami on Nov 20, 2007 - 22 answers

What kind of cheap but good amp should I get for my electric violin? [more inside]
posted by sully75 on Nov 9, 2007 - 12 answers

Help my luthier S/O achieve immortality in his work! [more inside]
posted by Wylie Kyoto on Jul 31, 2007 - 3 answers

What is the piece of music used at 12:29 in the Neill Blomkamp short "Tempbot," at around 12:29? (link to the short movie within) [more inside]
posted by lonemantis on Jul 19, 2007 - 4 answers

I've taken up the violin. Where can I find the coolest sheet music? [more inside]
posted by theiconoclast31 on Jul 15, 2007 - 12 answers

I have an old violin that I can't find the value for anywhere. Can someone help? The label says: Williams Artist/ No. 701 1890. Thanks
posted by Monkeyzulu on Jul 9, 2007 - 13 answers

Is there any shops in New York City where one could find a Stroh violin, aka Phonofiddle or violinophone? [more inside]
posted by 235w103 on Jun 8, 2007 - 7 answers

Two questions concerning violins (and by extension, other string instruments): 1. Mass production! 2. Strads! [more inside]
posted by archagon on Apr 27, 2007 - 14 answers

SheetMusicFilter: I need sheet music for the theme from Schindler's List, by John Williams, for violin plus piano accompaniment. If you find only the piano acompaniment, that works too. [more inside]
posted by alona on Apr 14, 2007 - 3 answers

I'd like to learn a classical stringed musical instrument and eventually join an amateur string quartet. I'm an adult with decent musical ability and a good sense of pitch, but no background with stringed (especially bowed) instruments. I'd be equally interested in any of the stringed instruments typically found in a string quartet. Which instrument should I choose? Which instrument would make me most valuable to a potential quartet? Are there more adult amateurs playing one than another? Any advice on learning a stringed instrument as an adult?
posted by dan_of_brainlog on Feb 2, 2007 - 24 answers

I need to find great country fiddle recordings. Help me, Metafilter! [more inside]
posted by eleyna on Nov 7, 2006 - 11 answers

Violin/Musician Filter: Help me whip my fingers into shape! [more inside] [more inside]
posted by mittenedsex on Sep 1, 2006 - 5 answers

My wife is getting a fiddle (i.e. violin to be used for American fiddling style). What resources/books/videos can I get to help her learn? [more inside]
posted by hodyoaten on Aug 23, 2006 - 6 answers

MuzikFilter: Looking for contemporary (ish) music that includes the violin as a focal and/or background instrument. [more inside]
posted by Lockeownzj00 on Aug 1, 2006 - 41 answers

How can I rock out like Wolfdog? (or Sabbath, for that matter). One caveat--I prefer the fiddle, thanks. [more inside]
posted by Squid Voltaire on Jul 21, 2006 - 21 answers

Last night I decided I want to play the violin. [more inside]
posted by soma lkzx on Mar 30, 2006 - 22 answers

What tune does the smallest violin in the world play? [more inside]
posted by fossphur on Jan 9, 2006 - 17 answers

I really like the violin in the beginning of The John Spencer Blues Explosion's song "Bellbottoms". What are some other bands/songs that combine bluesy rockin' electric guitar and epic-sounding violins?
posted by borkingchikapa on Jan 6, 2006 - 20 answers