Welcome!

My name is Jenny, and I'm glad you're here.

I'm guessing that you found me for one of two reasons:

  • 1 ~ You enjoy the music of my band, Circa Paleo and want to know more about it.
  • 2 ~ You have a Hot Violinist within and are seeking some tips on how to do all of this yourself.

I'm mostly focusing on the instructional stuff here, but this is also a great place to hang out if you want more behind the scenes info and unreleased previews of my music projects.

If you're just here to listen and watch, that's cool, but now a few words for you fiddlers and fiddlers to be:

I'm not claiming to be an expert of the violin, but I do know a LOT about starting violin "late" since I myself began my fiddle journey at age 18. I've also learned a lot about unique world music styles over the past several years of traveling all over the place.

Now I want to share all the quirky tips and music that I've learned. In other words…

I'm here to make YOU into a Hot Violinist.

Before we go further, lets define hot, shall we? Because the hot I’m talking about reaches far beyond smokin’ fiddle riffs and gym bodies. Check out my first blog post, "The Hot Violinist Manifesto," to read about what "hot" really means to me.

11 Hot Violinist Gifts for 2015!

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I'm back with a fresh new list of fiddler and violinist gifts! I've personally tried and enjoyed everything on this list of my 11 favorite violin gift ideas.

Several of these are from small businesses (Yay! Let's send some Holiday cash their way!), a few are from right here in The Hot Violinist shop, and some link to Amazon. (A portion of sales from Amazon links comes back to help support thehotviolinist.com! Thanks!)

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA #1 – 5 Minute Journal

Okay, so this one is not violin-specific, but it's about being happy and happy is HOT! There's a page for each day, and it really does just take five minutes, and it really does make me a happier person. I use mine every day! (Almost…)

Violinist Gifts 5-minute-journal

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA # 2 – Zafu

I love this small company and their meditation cushions! Practicing meditation helps me develop patience and observation skills which apply directly to my violin practice.

Violinist Gifts zafu-cushion

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA #3 – Bridge and Cross Bows T-Shirt

By violin maker Andrew Caruthers. I'm so geeked about his entire line! Andy is a violin maker based in Santa Rosa CA, and he has started this fun line of violin related shirts. He cuts the designs into linoleum blocks using violin carving tools and hand prints each shirt. So cool…

Violinist Gifts bridge-crossed-bows-tee

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA # 4 – Boscia Charcoal Skin Care Kit

I make a lot of my skin care from stuff found in the kitchen, but this is one commercial product I really like. I totally believe in the magic powers of charcoal. It's great for men or women because it smells good, not girly. My favorite is the cleanser, but the kit makes a fun gift.

Violinist Gifts boscia-charcoal-skincareViolinist Gifts boscia-charcoal-skincare

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA #5 – Bernadel Rosin

Okay, this is a repeat from last years list, but I had to post again because this rosin is the bees knees! A stocking stuffer for smooth full tone- yes!

Violinist Gifts bernadel-rosinViolinist Gifts bernadel-rosin

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA #6 – The Hotter Fiddle

I'm featuring this violin because one of my students, Gabs, recently traded in her “Hot Fiddle” beginner model as an upgrade for this one and it reminded me how sweet it is. She is an advancing student and within a couple weeks of getting her new violin, she just happened to land her first professional public gig. Part of it is because the great tone of this fiddle gives a huge confidence boost. This fiddle is equivalent to the violin I am playing in the original “Hot Violinist” video. The Hot Fiddle has a solid good tone, but this one takes it to the level of artistry.

Violinist Gifts hotter-fiddle

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA #7 – JonPaul Bravo Carbon Fiber Bow

I've always followed my teacher's advice to have one wood bow and one carbon fiber bow always in your case. Carbon fiber acts the same no matter what the weather and sounds really good for the price. I was amazed when I first learned that the bow choice is just as important to the sound as the violin and sometimes more! I've had this exact bow in my case since around 2006 and sometimes I even choose it over my German-made wood bow that cost me $1600. This one sounds really darn good for under $300!

Violinist Gifts jonpaul-bravo-carbon-fiber-bowViolinist Gifts jonpaul-bravo-carbon-fiber-bow

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA #8 – Evah Pirazzi String Set

A luxurious treat! I don't always use these strings because they are a little more pricey, but I treat myself to them every few string changes, and definitely go to them when it's time to record. If you put these in your loved one's stocking they will enjoy about 6 months or more of buttery smooth feel on their violin.

Violinist Gifts evah-pirazzi-string-setViolinist Gifts evah-pirazzi-string-set

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA #9 – D'Addario Helicore String Set

A nicely priced set of great strings! They are bright and responsive, especially good for fiddle music.

Violinist Gifts d_addario-helicore-string-setViolinist Gifts d_addario-helicore-string-set

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA #10 – First Learn to Practice

I consider this a must read for any musician! My mom plays guitar and sings (Janet Darlene Drew, check her out!) and she brought a copy when she came to visit a couple months ago. It has a lot of nuts and bolts tips for happy, fun, productive practicing.

Violinist Gifts first-learn-to-practiceViolinist Gifts first-learn-to-practice

HOT VIOLINIST GIFTS: IDEA #11 – Hot Violinist Lessons

And don't forget Hot Violinist lesson packages are completely giftable! Purchase any of the lesson packages in the Shop and I'll send you a printable giftable voucher.

Violinist Gifts hot-violinist-lessons

What are your ideas for gifts for violinists and fiddlers? Share them in the comments below!

New Last of the Mohicans Video

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Hiya Folks!

Kelly and I have been playing around with new arrangement ideas for LOTM! I've added a shift into 3rd position (High notes!! Wee!) and the quiet living room setting is perfect for Kelly to play some more delicate picking patterns on guitar. Some of this is reminiscent of the track Promentory on the Tideland recording we did with Circa Paleo, but it's put together a little differently.

By the way…. Happy Thanksgiving! I'm really grateful to you guys for helping me connect and share the music I love. Tonight we are going to brave the grocery store and hope that they still have a few yams left!

During this holiday week Kelly and I are working on a new medley. Hint. Two words:

STAR

WARS!!!

Stay tuned….

…


…

Gear For Your Next Classical-Music-Rave

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I got an email this week from David, an electrical engineering student at Clarkson University, who is developing an illuminated electric violin. I've always been a bit of a traditionalist fuddy-duddy when it comes to electric violins, so you can imagine how my old-fashioned eyebrows went up when I saw a violin that actually puts on its own light show while you play it! I've never seen anything like this before and am impressed by the truly beautiful sound (and the fact that he plays Ashokan Farewell on the video!), so I thought some of you Hot Violinists out there might wanna check it out.

If that tickled your fancy and you want to support the project, check out David's Kickstarter page. If he gets enough support, he'll be able to bring the violin into production.