Hi Ireland,

The irony is that many trained violinists when they start to learn fiddling have to come to terms with the "classical" sound. Many fiddlers do things the wrong way. Ti Jean from Quebec was able to execute phrases that were the envy of trained concert violinists.

Moral, there ain't just one way to learn it. Do what feels right and what works for you. Get into the music and the way will make itself clear.

I believe that any instrument is hard (a ten or a hundred on the scale) to play well. I've been struggling with stringed instruments for years and it doesn't get any easier but it does become more fun.

Frank