Wow! Don't know how I missed this thread for two days...

First, BozemanBob, thanks for the initial post and "stay out of my head." I had been considering the bringing up this exact topic but didn't know how to raise the issue amongst the host of pipers. You did it well and succinctly; thanks for that.

I'm still a beginning/lo-level intermediate fiddler. Took it up 4 years ago after wanting to do it for a long time. I've been a contra and trad. square dancer for years--the dances always have live bands, and I realized a long time ago that if it wasn't for the fiddles I probably wouldn't dance. I've gotten much good advice from fiddlers in dance bands!

I don't practice nearly as much as I should, and 30 min at a crack wears me out thoroughly. Cynthia and I have chatted about this (hi, Cyn!) and how easy it is to get discouraged with the infernal instrument.

I've been through 3 teachers and am currently without one, hampering my progress even more. I'm focusing on the old-timey and trad stuff that I enjoy + the campfire and back-porch songs that most people know. Throw in a little Tom Paxton or John Denver and it's all good here.

I share Cynthia's "terror" about playing in front of folks or in groups, although I know I must. In this part of eastern Pennsylvania, almost all of the jams are bluegrass which is not my thing. Nearest Irish jam is about an hour away and that's a haul home late on a Sunday night.

I find it interesting that you're comfortable with jigs and strathspeys but not reels...I'm just the opposite. I can play Saint Anne's Reel and The Wind that Shakes the Barley but jigs elude me completely. I've tried Irish Washerwoman as a practice piece but the jig tempo and wacky bowing just gets me stupid.

Yet I can play waltzes (granted, single groups of three, not doubles...) just fine. I've got Midnight on the Water down pretty well, and a half-arsed version of Ashoken Farewell.

Other stuff I can play (sometimes) "8th of January" (aka Battle of New Orleans), Bonaparte's Retreat, and of course Scotland the Brave ('Gay Gordons' to the dancers...). A couple others, too.

Good to know y'all are out there; nobody likes to suffer alone! <wink>

Hey Cynthia: I finally got the new strings...the wound E cured a lot of problems!

Let's stay in touch!

JT