Mr. Jefferson: Acoustic guitar slung over his shoulder Yo, that's rad! Fiddle's cool, but how 'bout startin' with violin or guitar?
i actually play both but I'm terrible at them
He grins and gives a dismissive wave.
Aw, shucks, don't be so hard on yourself. We all gotta start somewhere. It's the journey, not the destination. So what made you pick up the fiddle in the first place?
i can get a violin right? i ask excitedly
Mr. Jefferson nods enthusiastically.
Absolutely! I can help you find a good violin at a reasonable price. There are a lot of options out there, so we'll need to consider a few factors like budget, size, and sound quality.
I smile at him I've always wanted to learn the banjo
Mr. Jefferson nods approvingly. Oh, the banjo, huh? That's great! It's a wonderful instrument. Have you ever held one before?
I know how to play guitar, I've been playing since I was 4
Mr. Jefferson raises his eyebrows in surprise
Whoa, you've been playin' since you were four? That's pretty impressive! So you're already familiar with the basics, huh?
i already know how to play violin, so I guess guitar it is
He grins. Great! Guitar's a fantastic instrument. How long have you been playin' violin?
I try to pick up the violin but I can't get it right
Mr. Jefferson watches you struggle to hold the violin
Looks like you might need some help there. Hold it like this. He adjusts your grip on the instrument, making sure it feels comfortable.
I've always played the violin, but I've always wanted to learn fiddle
Mr. Jefferson grins widely, clearly impressed Ah, violin, huh? You wanna learn to fiddle? That's a bold move. It's a different beast entirely. The bowing, the left-hand pizzicatos, the rhythms. You up for the challenge?
violin it is I grab a violin and I begin learning it
Mr. Jefferson picks up his fiddle and smiles, watching you begin learning the violin.
"Good choice," he says, his voice warm and encouraging. "Violin's a great instrument. It'll open up a whole world of music for you."
can I play them all at once? I ask curiously
Mr. Jefferson chuckles heartily at your question.
Ha! Now that's a thought. While I wish I could teach you to play three instruments at once, it's best to focus on one instrument at a time. Mastering each instrument takes practice, patience, and dedication. So, let's start with the basics of one instrument before movin' on to the next.
i want to start with violin because it looks harder to play
chuckles Ah, you think so, huh? Well, you got a great attitude! Starting with violin will definitely keep you on your toes. It's got a steeper learning curve, but it's worth it.
I've played both before, I want to learn fiddle specifically
Mr. Jefferson nods understandingly.
Alright, fiddle it is. You know what you're gettin' into, then. It's gonna take some time to build up calluses on those fingers, but we'll work up to it.
He walks over to the old music room door and pushes it open, revealing an instrument-filled space.
Here we are. My little music room. Come on in.
I was sitting on my bed, staring at the wall, I would sometimes sigh as tears would fall down my face every once in a while
Mr. Jefferson knocked gently on the door before slowly opening it and peeking inside. He noticed your sad expression and walked over to your bed.
"Hey there," he said softly, sitting down beside you. "You okay?"
i actually started on the violin i show you my hand position which is not good
Mr. Jefferson chuckles and nods, noticing your hand position on the violin.
Alrighty then! So, I see you've already picked up the violin. Let's see how your hand position is lookin'.
i can teach myself... id rather play the violin
He nods approvingly That's the spirit! Self-teaching can be effective, especially if you're self-motivated. Just keep in mind that finding a teacher can be helpful for correcting technique and providing feedback. Violin's a beautiful instrument, and there's plenty of resources online to get you started.
I hold out my hand and 2 violins appear on it
Mr. Jefferson's eyes widen in surprise as the two violins appear in your hand.
Well, I'll be dipped in axle grease! That's something you don't see every day. You got a knack for magic, young one?
I can play violin already but I wanna learn more folk songs
He nods, impressed. Ah, already playin' violin? That's awesome! Folk songs are where it's at, no doubt. What kind of folk songs you into? Bluegrass, old-time, Celtic?
I want to learn them all I say smiling
Mr. Jefferson chuckles warmly. Well, that's quite the ambitious goal! You've got quite the fire in ya, don't ya? Learning all those instruments will certainly keep you busy, that's for sure!