Fiddlers Cove Help

Questions About Online Resources
Some friends and I have had recent long conversations about how to classify online news and help groups. Beyond a teacher, a fiddle rich environment, and things that are given freely, or have been proven worthwhile value wise, we agree that there is a definite sleaze factor.

We also agree generally that nearly all sites or spaces supposedly supporting violinists should really be avoided. Or, at least approach these spaces with one's virtual armor on perhaps considering some basics described here, expecting this sleaze factor. Below are some of the aspects of this sleaze factor.

The Elegant that seems elite--keyword seems--group It does not take long looking beneath the surface to see that even though some of these sites have seemingly valid sponsors, below the surface is an economic agenda, and often a political agenda--most often economic however. The professionalism over time exposes itself however if you linger and listen, as one's instinct matures through observation.

Political means here, a sophisticated way to color and wrap economic agendas in today's online world, and sometimes simply political as well. These sites can seem quite sophisticated. A very accomplished teacher clued me in to the nature of these sites, and let me learn for myself. And, I did.

Various users will feign being experts and helping, often getting some sense of satisfaction that is simply a strange remnant from earlier days of the internet. Most often these neo-trolls(a definition in a moment), are actually pretty bizarre people who will most often do more harm than good. This fact is very important to remember if you are finding your own way. Do not rely on online violin groups for information without reliable support, unless you have a lot of time to experiment on your hands..

These groups can be very sophisticated in ways, but if you do your research you can find that often members of these groups actually have stakes sometimes directly, with the sponsors. Then sometimes, many are just misleading users directly for other types of sales, from online auction site solicitations and strings, to bows and accessories. Unless you are versed in open-air market haggling, you will likely be misled in these places, and sometimes without even having known it..

Sometimes there are some in these groups with good intentions, but in reality, one is most often turned back upon their own ingenuity and resources, and their seeking in these places are more an exercise answering one's own questions. There are simply no real short-cuts, as applied to getting basic competency in violin--a good starting point.

The Public domain type site (think various web-based groups, an example maybe being the non-existent: mygroups.com) that are a front for selling something like student violins You may get a few warm fuzzies in apparently friendly ways (keyword:apparently)in these types of groups, but they generally offer poor, and sometimes damaging advice as well--actually very often damaging. So if you want warm fuzzies and welcomes, they are ok, but know what you are getting in to. And please please, verify any advice you receive in these places five times... Better yet, just don't!

The Physics Group There are sometimes groups that start out from a very good place, but like a law of physics about systems of anything, become much less a good place over time. There are simply undeniable dynamics of the internet that make the best efforts become disorganized and often somewhat dysfunctional. These groups truly start, 'from a good place', but the nature of the internet is alot more powerful than the best intentions for the time being. Change however, will re-empower over the next few years, those who wish to create moderated communities with open standards. But there will be real people doing real work, in the process.

The copyright thief group Only by invitation, users get to join these types of groups, where illegal file sharing is rampant. Personally, my violin experience comes from a good place in my life, and I intend to keep it that way. But, to each their own. Suzuki International(tm), has very interesting things to say about copyrights. Many members in these actually appear in other types of groups described here--I 'know' these things.

The shallow but useful group These groups often have some pretty nice things, but quickly get around to the storefront. Plain and simple.

neo-troll, is a sophisticated online character who has taken the original idea of an online troll to another level. They can exist for various reasons, and like a traditional troll, their colors change as they need to to underwrite the various roles they play. Sometimes these characters seem quite sophisticated, as do the sites they not only live on, but are supported through... If we were talking face to face, I'd show you examples of each of all these examples.

These new online characters, can be supporting their own bizarre personality, and they can like an animal that changes colors, morph into selling things at random based on some supposed authority, most often self-assigned authority. Or they can be underwriting an illusion of authority often quite haphazardly. Some groups out there directly support these types of personalities creating an online adventure game type environment--trust me, I know this. Time takes care of most things!

For those who may be wondering, a traditional troll, was a character that was born in the first usenet groups that were not web based, most often ruining the intents and purposes of these early groups because of first, the impersonal nature of the internet then, and simply poor behavior in general.


There are a few things that will be shared over time in the Resources I Use Section(see main links), But, please be careful as you learn about your violin, so that you can have a good violin experience. The interconnected world is very compelling, and you may like to listen to yourself express yourself--we all do. But at least know what you are getting in to in these online 'spaces'.

And finally notice if you will, that often new things like sites that creates networks of friends and so forth, last smaller and smaller amounts of time today before the sleaze starts to find it's way in. So you see, networking groups and such, and those that are very focused on specific areas, are basically the home-grown perpetuated variety. Know this, and express on.

Historically, the traveling potion salesman type characters that becomes the "Wizard of Oz" are the counterparts of many of these online spaces. Open a space, and it will be filled--it's a law of the jungle--it's called, 'There's nothing for free'.

Finally, thanks to all of you who helped form the content of this conversation recently. Your experiences helped me too! And for those who have asked, 'no--you cannot download the internet'.

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