See how to install a Si-Hon style wire mute for violin, viola, or cello.

2007-08-05T06:13:00Z

Many of you have emailed or called to ask how to install the Si-Hon wire mute.   So, we made a nice video/slide show for you to see exactly how it's done. The video shows installation on a violin, but it's the same for a viola or cello.

To view the video, go to
www.fiddle-shop.com and click on:

The wire mute as seen in our video is available at our web store at The Fiddle Shop

Thanks for your inquiries and interest in our products.

Former Student of Master Violin Teacher Herbert Bagwell

2006-10-13T07:19:00Z

I just read the following post:

http://blog.fiddle-shop.com/2006/08/10/intercity-violin-studios.aspx

In the mid 70s I was a student of the master violin teacher Herbert Bagwell. I can assure you that his legacy lives on in many ways, perhaps in ways not even his family realizes. All of my family has strong memories of the many afternoons I spent under his tutelage, and the hours and hours of practice I spent preparing for his examination.

I am not a professional musician, but music has been a large part of my life. I have played on many stages, but the most rewarding music I play nowadays is for my young daughters. Even my sons, much older, still enjoy the music, and they play a bit as well.

I’ll always treasure the time I spent with Mr. Bagwell. And I really appreciated your post about him, which brought back many warm memories.

Best regards,

--- John Deurbrouck

Inter-City Violin Studios

2006-08-10T08:15:00Z

Awwww, the dog days of summer. It's just too dog gone hot to do anything.   Except . . . fiddlin'. Rick and I were talking a few days ago about how much there is to see in Oklahoma and how little we've actually seen of it. So, we decided to take a few day trips this summer to try and discover Oklahoma, this lovely state we call home.

We had a chance to visit Oklahoma City recently. Our son's girlfriend was riding in an equestrian jumping competition at the fairgrounds. Imagine that! Oklahoma has more horse events other than rodeo, racing events, and horse shows. We watched as the graceful horses glided over the rails. (My mind could just imagine the musical description as I watched). I was amazed at the young riders, ages ranging from 8-17, displaying such talent in controlling these large animals. It astounded me how those huge horses would jump all heights of rails at nearly a standing still position. Of course, there were some who would instantaneously return to their wild ancestry and totally refuse to take another step, and at the embarrassment of the young riders.

During one of our breaks in the competitions, we had a chance to visit a nearby music store. By this time I was missing my fiddle and really needed a fiddle fix.  Our quest was a shop called Inter-City Violin Studios, located at 1414 N.W. 30th Street, just west of Classen in Oklahoma City. It was only 10 minutes away from the fairgrounds so off we went. It was easy to find and we soon pulled up in front of a quaint little white frame house with a very welcoming front porch. We were greeted at the door by a young man who invited us in to take a look around. It was terribly hot outside at 103F. The staff had planned to close early because of the heat, but were very gracious to show us around and let us look at their instruments. The rooms were filled with beautiful violins, violas, and cellos. Such fine choice instruments, I thought to myself.

My Mother-in-law is looking for a fiddle and had asked me to keep an eye out for her, so I asked if I could play a few of them. They showed me several and I chose about 3-4 to play. While they were tuning them, I picked one up and tried to pick out a tune on it. The young man that greeted us at the door stepped into the little room and asked if I would like him to play the violins for me. Of course I would take him up on that offer, as I'm only an intermediate player and can't "pick a tune by ear". I gave him the fiddle and, much to my delight, the room came alive with thousands of notes flowing from his fingers right into the belly of the violin, then back out again, filling the entire house with beautiful music. I tried to listen to the intonation and responsiveness of the fiddle as this was my purpose, but I found myself mesmerized by his beautiful music. He stopped and I asked him to play the next instrument. Again, the room filled, this time with a sweet, slow, beautiful waltz that meandered like the smell of hot apple pie throughout the house from one room to the next. He played each instrument for me, and each one had a distinct and unique voice all its own. They were all indeed fine instruments in very fine condition.

While I examined the violins, Rick wandered through the rooms looking at all the other instruments. But being the history buff that he is, he was more interested in the history of the shop. I found him in the next room chatting with the shop owner, Dena Dietsch. She told us of the orginal owner, her father, Mr Herbert Bagwell, and how at the age of 19 became chairman of the instrumental department at the Oklahoma City University. As her words spoke of his work, I could only imagine his lifelong love and passion for music. He was an accomplished violinist, teacher, luthier, and considered my many to be a violin connoisseur. She showed us around the shop where we saw only a few hundred of the thousands of string instruments waiting to be readied for the next rental season. She took us to the basement. There we saw the small luthier shop where Mr. Bagwell worked for more than 50 years.  As a luthier, I related to him and felt the same joy he must have had when he readied an instrument and fitted it to a young child who was just "dying to play violin". I envisioned his pride as he repaired a hopelessly damaged violin and returned it to the loving hands of an accomplished violinist. The teacher's heart is just never far from me. I know the thrill it is to see a young child as they discover their own passions and find pride in realizing their own accomplishments. All this I can still see before me as Mrs. Dena spoke of her father, his shop, and his work. BRAVO!!! Mr. Bagwell. Your legacy lives on. Bravo for your passion, devotion, and dedication to music. Bravo, Mrs Dena, for working so hard to keep the doors open on the world of music in your community. Our hats go off to you. Thank you for your dedication to working with young people and musicians. Our world is so much more colorful because of music and those who promote it.

BTW, Inter-City Violin Studios have a wonderful instrument rental and "rental credit" program that's also available in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Check it out at 405-528-4044.

OOHHH, did I tell you who the young man is with all the notes coming from his fingers, who played the violins for me? His name is Kyle Dillingham. He's quite the talented musician and he loves fiddle music. He's traveled all over the US and to 25+ countries promoting music as an ambassador for the University of Oklahoma City. I could only dream of having that kind of talent. He also plays with a little group called Horseshoe Road. Dustin Jones was there too and visited with us. He's a very multi-talented young man who plays guitar and sings with the band. Yes, you know for sure, we bought several of their CD's. They're getting ready to go on tour to Japan. They have a website at www.horseshoeroad.net Watch out for them. They'll be our next hall of fiddle famers!!!

So, you see, there's lots of discoveries yet to make in your home state!!  Let us invite you to Oklahoma to check out Inter-City Violin Studios. If you can't get to Oklahoma, then take a day trip in your own home state. You'll be amazed at the wonderful people you'll meet and the new discoveries you'll make.

Until next time. . . Happy fiddlin' ----- Janet www.fiddle-shop.com   www.thefiddleshop.net

Where can we find menuhin shield mutes ?

2006-06-29T06:02:00Z

I must get requests for the "black menuhin shield mutes" at least once a month. I would love to find a source for these to stock in my store. If I had a picture or know what it looked like and what it's made of, I may be able to get them manufactured.

Do any of you have a one of these or know where we can get them? If you have a picture, please send it to me. I'll do my best to get some.

Thanks for the help,
Janet
www.fiddle-shop.com
www.thefiddleshop.net

Welcome

2006-06-28T08:50:00Z

Welcome Fiddle Friends,
Thanks for stopping in to take a look around the Fiddle Shop Bloggers page. Feel free to post comments, questions, tips, hints, and links to all things for stringed instruments. Be sure to let us know about upcoming events, date, time, place so we won't miss out on any of the fun!

If you have pictures to share, we'd love to see them. Post them here so we can see your favorite instrument, as well as pictures of festivals, jams, and concerts.

For those of us who are looking to learn a new tune to play, please point us in the right direction.

There are many of you who have all kinds of questions, so here's the place to ask. I know a lot of you have some pretty good answers, as I've checked it out myself. There are no dumb questions and you don't have to be any expert to share from experience. So, don't hesitate, let's give it a go.

I look forward to reading your posts, learning from you, and enjoying all the great and marvelous things you do.

Happy Fiddlin'
Janet
www.fiddle-shop.com
www.thefiddleshop.net