Bonnie - I agree, my sentiments exactly. I picked up fiddle a few years ago after playing classical as a kid. I enjoy really learning a tune well, rather than playing a lot of notes fast. I remember an Irish fiddle workshop here last year with Martin Hayes - I recall he said it took him months (perhaps a year) to understand a particular tune so that he would feel comfortable and enjoy playing it. There is so much in phrasing, bowing, rhythm, etc that must be learned slow before taking it up to speed. I feel the same way about singing. It takes me a long time before I feel comfortable and good about a song - it has to become my own, not just notes and words on a page - but it is well worth the effort. So I may not have hundreds of tunes or songs that I do, but I enjoy what I do have more.

Cheers, S. in Seattle