The Resolution Payoff

North Miami Beach, Florida 1-26-2000 Aaron H. Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then. Opinions pro or con are welcome.
THE RESOLUTION PAYOFF

I remember it well. Every year I have made resolutions about taking off
excess weight and hewing to a sensible diet. This year I eschewed the
weight and diet hopes and opted for something more practical. Like,
learning how to play the "Kermit Bloomgarden Violin". I also resolved to
learn to receive and send the Morse code at thirteen words per minute. I
was saved from doing anything about this last one because the FCC changed my
Technician Radio Operator's license to General. If all goes well, I will be
able to transmit by voice rather than on a few airwaves by code.

I have had about two lessons in three or four tries on the violin. Most of
my time has been spent in acquiring new parts for an old violin. Inside the
case of this "KBV" is a little piece of paper pasted that you can barely see
which states that this violin was created by a certain Stradivarius in 1726.
I do not always believe what I read.

So, so far I have a new bridge, or one that was crudely thinned by the
resident repairman at the studio where I take lessons. I have: a new chin
rest, a shoulder rest, a new set of strings, three additional tuning
devices, a new bow (to replace the one whose tip I broke taking it out of
the case), a box of rosin, and a piece of lint-free cloth to clean the
strings and violin of excess rosin.

I missed the first lesson because I misread the time for which it was
scheduled. I got about 15 minutes worth. The next time I was there but the
teacher wasn't. So, I was given an extra lesson to make up for it. Last
time, I saw the teacher we spent part of the time with him redoing the
installation of the chin rest and showing me how to use the shoulder rest.
He also gave me exercises to do which is a problem since I crushed a
significant finger last year.

However, I am taking lessons and have produced some excellent sounds from
the strings and the replacement cheap bow. One day I hope I will be able to
play a recognizable tune. Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.