Let's Do This!

I was given an amazing gift yesterday: an electric violin. It is the prettiest violin I've ever seen in person, though it is just a beginner's instrument. I don't have any kind of reference point, but I was really impressed with what all it came with. This is the manufacturer's site, they have some really cool stuff. I especially like this cello. I may have to get it next if I can figure out what I'm doing with the violin.

It was shipped in a hard, velvet lined case with cover, bow, rosin, cable, headphones, cleaning cloth, and a 9v battery. The headphones are really uncomfortable and don't work very well at all, but that isn't really a huge deal for me. Tuning it for the first time was a pain too. Both my D and G strings snapped. My husband and I took it to a local shop and had it re-strung today though, so at least now I can practice all of the notes!

The sound that comes off of it without any amplification is pretty perfect for learning. It is certainly loud enough to hear, but not so loud that the neighbors are going to complain. That is something that definitely held me back from learning in the past. I just couldn't get over the thought of people hearing my first practice draws.

I've spent about an hour and a half practicing with it so far this weekend. My hands can only go for so long before cramping up, but that'll pass soon. I'm hoping to get enough practice time in before Christmas to play something for my in-laws (since they got it for me) but I also have several presents left to make and now a blog to keep up with. Guess we'll see if I can handle it.