Here is a tail view of my new setup.

A top view – this is my makeshift chin rest until I receive the Wender I ordered. The shoulder rest is perfect, but I needed a bit more of a hump on the Stuber I had, so I took some wire and put them through some tubing then slid them through the circular part of a pen that I cut for the purpose. It is fantastic (at least for now)!

I use this rubber gripper on my scroll for practicing against a wall. This helps right hand and left hand exercises immensely, even though I do have a near-perfect setup.

My “new” bow – actually all I did was take the end of some rubber tubing and slide it up the stick to support my higher bow hand position.

Here is the alternate bow grip I now use that allows me to play to the tip with ease (the frog was cumbersome at first, but now is just as easy as before).

The way my instrument looks when up – high and centered finally! I think my chin is a bit too far to the middle than where I normally am, but I was taking these pictures fast with the help of Benj.

An underside view of the shoulder rest. From this angle, you can see how low the shoulder rest is in relation to the body of the violin, much different than before. Also, notice the white fuzz where I glued one piece back onto the frame after it broke off (I twisted it around quite a bit to get just what I wanted). This is from the rope tied around it to hold it together while the glue dried (it looked like a cast on a broken arm). The foam helps support the end of the segment and provides cushion.

Going back to the basics can be strange after having played an instrument for 10 years. However, this time it was DEFINITELY worth it. This summer I have been heavily (or “lightly” if referring to releasing tension) focusing on the violin. I attended a 2-week creative tension workshop in Dallas from May 24th to June 4th with Valerie Gardner. The other two teachers were Sandy Collins and Katie Humby. Each had an assistant who gave practice coachings with the students. These were Martha Gardner, Christa Pulliam, and Lily Squires.

Two weeks later, on Saturday, June 19th, I got behind my steering wheel on route to Winona Lake, Indiana for the MasterWorks summer music festival. I had a wonderful four weeks there studying with several different teachers and having many performance opportunities.

Leaving there on July 18, I traveled down to Winder, Georgia to spend a few days with Mrs. Gardner for some needed follow-up on the workshop earlier in the summer.

The result of all this is that I now have reformed my whole system of technique, have learned how to practice effectively, and have gained valuable performance and memorization tips.

I will post some pictures tomorrow, but sufice it to say that I have a new shoulder rest and chin rest configuration, a renewed interest in simple bowstrokes, and a rabid desire to tame and loosen my rigid left hand.

In addition to this, I was blessed to be able to learn Brahms’ G Major violin sonata, one of the most gorgeous pieces ever composed!