The Ashokan Farewell

[mudmucker]

Beautiful with the flute. Thanks for sharing, and actually stirring up some fun memories.

The following is a true story.

I never had the opportunity to play an instrument as a child. I always loved the fiddle/violin.

Ashoken Farewell is THE tune that compelled me to purchase a violin, after hearing it on the Civil War series. It is just hauntingly beautiful. I bought a violin to ultimately play that tune. At the time I bought it, I didn't know how to play at all. And, I didn't know how to read music. But I knew I could teach myself. Because my goal, was to play that song.

So at age 40, I went to my favorite music store in Brattleboro, VT and they had a good selection of violins. I said to the woman, this is my price range. But I don't play. So you are going to have to take the 5 or 6 that are in my price range and play them for me. I will then choose which one I like the best based on tonal qualities. I told her I was going to walk out of there with a violin in my hand. So we went out in the back, and I spent 2 hours with her, listening to her play the same songs on the different violins until I narrowed it down to one. It had a beautiful mellow tone to it.

Lessons were out of the question because they were so expensive. I taught myself the foundation of the song by ear. But I also wanted to read the notes as well. I went and looked for the music sheet for the song and found it. Then, I bought a beginner's violin book and proceeded to teach myself to read music. I bought a basic beginner "how to" video tape to get the knack of slides and slurs. After 3 months or so I had gotten a very good rendition of the song and it's better ever since. I finally "got" the vibrato after 6 months and was tickled pink for a week. It "just" happened, finally after alot of trying. I still don't play great - I need to advance and lessons are still too expensive and I can't find anyone close to me. I need to hang out with fiddle type musicians but I don't know any. All I know, is that I feel wonderful inside when I play.