Sometimes goes limp (bow hair)

Subject: Sometimes goes limp
From: Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:14 PM

This is a practical advise question for other fiddlers. You know what I's talking about. Viagra won't help. You are playing out in the evening, and as it cools off the the humidity changes, you can't keep enough tension of the bow to produce a good tone. What I usually do when it gets bad enough is just put the fiddle up for the night? Anyone got any practical suggestions?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:19 PM

Go West, young man, go West....never had that problem in the high dry prairie/mtns out here:-)

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: jeffp
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:24 PM

I've had similar problems playing in basements. One possibility, admittedly not a great solution, is have a second bow strung with synthetic hair. It won't be great, and you probably won't like playing with it, but at least you'll be able to play after a fashion. I'll be interested to see what ideas others come up with.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Mbo
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:25 PM

"Louisiana Man" Doug Kershaw never tightens his bow hairs. He leaves them limp, and somehow loops his thumb under the frog and uses that to adjust the tension. If his hairs went limp, he'd just move his thumb to tighten them up again. BTW this is also how he does quadruple-stops with ease. Just a suggestion! I don't seem to have this problem with my fiddle, and I live in the most humid place on Earth!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:28 PM

Well, kat, I have had it happen "out here". I try to carry 2 bows, that helps a little. Usually I have this problem when I'm playing outside after dark. Bonfires help, just (carefully!!) bake the bow a few minutes by moving it back and forth in front of the fire. Hubby used to have a non tuneable bodhran that had this problem a lot. bought him a little electric hair dryer and now I carry it in my gig bag. Only works if you have acess to electricity.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Bert
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:29 PM

Now admit it. This thread was started as a boost to the thread name game. Who's going to be the first to come up with an interesting juxtaposition?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: MMario
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:49 PM

bert, since it goes limp, even an interesting juxtaposition is only going to cause frustration

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 05:22 PM

Sorcha, I have a Native American drum which does that. The maker told me to just hold it under a light bulb for a few minutes, and of course, a campfire, as you say, helps, too! I haven't done much playing out of doors in the past few years, so I stand corrected.:-)

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 05:33 PM

I am submitting MY post without reading the others, and just responding to the thread title, as all REAL Mudcateers seem to do.

IMHO, this has to be a spurious posting and I am gpoing to immediately institute a complete and DEEP inspection of all cookies in our home. The HARDiMAN I know (and I like to think I know him pretty well), would (NO MAKE THAT) COULD never NEVER EVER say such a thing.

It just isn't possible. Trust me. Been there.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: paddymac
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 05:55 PM

This going limp thing only happens in a moist environment? Hmmm! Sounds like a natural phenomenon.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 05:58 PM

I think Uneasy Rider/Charlie Daniels - Sometimes goes limp is getting pretty close, but there have to be better juxtopositions there somewhere....

And for the problem, I've never had any luck in any of the methods, I broke the end off the bow whilst attempting to stretch it out with my fingers in the way, I broke the screw and trying the 'bonfire' technique over a barbie, got jostled by a drunken yob and nearly lost the whole damn lot in with the baked potatoes and barbeque chicken..... Gave up playing the violin for something less temperamental and easy to carry. Trouble is, I keep losing the piece of paper, and combing my hair with the wrong one.....

LTS

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: paddymac
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 06:05 PM

"What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor" that "Sometimes goes limp"? Is that the kind of thing we're looking for?

How 'bout "The Gypsy Rover-Sometimes goes limp"?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: paddymac
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 06:09 PM

Geez - how could I overlook "The Wild Colonial Boy Sometimes goes limp". Ok, I will now stand aside and eagerly await the real pros in the family. 'Spaw? Amos? Clinton? Where are you guys "when an opportunity arises it Sometimes goes limp". :>)

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 06:19 PM

I guess it will have to be "My Willie-O" "Sometimes goes limp"?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Night Owl
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 06:46 PM

"Wang Dang Doodle/Sometimes Goes Limp"

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: jeffp
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 10:47 PM

Boy don't I feel silly for having given a serious reply on this thread! At the risk of being seen as stuffy, I'm going to pass on a word of caution about drying bodhran heads. It's been recommended to me to use a heating pad rather than a hair dryer to dry out a bodhran head. There's less risk of overdrying it and splitting it that way. That being said, I've dried mine out by exposing it to a bonfire for a second or too with no ill effect, so make your own decisions.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: GUEST,Hardiman the fiddler
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 10:54 PM

Don't feel silly for giving a serious answer, I posed the question humerously, but recently encountered the problem a few weeks ago when I was in Charleston, playing by the famous market on Market Street, downtown. I was playing on the street with my son, and after a while it was impossible to play anymore. It took a day for the horsehair to dry out. So, I want you all to know that I appreciate the suggestions, and the stories, and song suggestions and the humor. thanx, Hardiman

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Tony Burns
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 11:20 PM

I find my "bow" prefers a moist environment. No limp problems here.

I can't believe 7 hours have gone by and 'spaw hasn't raised his head. We should erect a monument.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 11:28 PM

Maybe "erect" is the problem?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: GUEST,Biskit
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:17 AM

Well,first I would like to say that I and me "Bow" have been together way to long to be exposing it to a bonfire and as far as a juc juxtaposition hell I can't even spell the dainged thing .......Biskit

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: rangeroger
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:32 AM

The last time I exposed mine at a bonfire I was arrested. rr

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Mbo
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:34 AM

I'm VERY glad Spaw ain't seen this yet!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 01:40 PM

I'm VERY glad Cleigh has no cousin residing at our house for Hardiman would surely play it!

We must all work together to be SURE that Hardiman and Spaw never get together, for I am afraid what the world would look like if such energies were combined and released! Please, if you value the present space-time continuum, you must help me!

... Aw, that's right, I'm at the Mudcat. You won't help me do any such thing, and if it happens I suppose we can cope.

[sigh]

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Bert
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 01:58 PM

How did we get this far without Áine using this for a song challenge?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:02 PM

Bert, who wants limp songs?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:15 PM

Songs that make you emotionally erect.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:22 PM

Or, I guess she didn't think anybody was up to it.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:23 PM

Or she didn't think anybody was up to the challenge.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:24 PM

Sorry about those two postings, my computer lied to me.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:26 PM

Hey, I sailed with the tide, you all had a chance!

To the dories!! Catch her before she hits international waters! She has NO sailing experience but as usual is off and running....

Someone please open a new thread... these are the Voyages of the SS Mudcat, off on a [ ]-year mission to go where no man should ever go...

[scary maritime theme music]

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Barbara
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 03:02 PM

I've also used the electric burners on a stove to tune a drumhead (carefully) -- I don't know if the same would work on a bow.

B.S. Gordon Bok/Sometimes Goes Limp

hmmmm.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 03:31 PM

Oh, help save Max, sometimes goes limp...

Lost my sense of humor, sometimes goes limp...

This is SO much better than just typing [refresh]

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 07:02 PM

Limp go the hairs on my antique bow How I shall play, I just don't know

How coax I music from a beautiful violin when all the hairs of my bow are limp again?

Where for solace might I go? guess I'll strum the old banjo

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: rangeroger
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 09:13 PM

I believe there are laws against fiddlers demeaning themselves by playing banjo.And of course,if you did strum the banjo, you would,perforce become a banjo player and have to suffer through all the banjo jokes directed at you. rr

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 02:27 AM

Sorry, rr, he was a bajoer first. Blues banjo too.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: paddymac
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 12:48 AM

God forgive me, and mudcatter's too, but dare I say it? This thread seems to have petered out.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 01:49 AM

Ah, does that mean that the whole thing has gone limp, after so short a time??

Story of my life....................

LTS

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: rangeroger
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 02:13 AM

What amazes me is that 'spaw never did post to it.
Is he trying trying to demonstrate superhuman feats of self-restraint?
"spaw? Nah.
rr

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 11:39 AM

Whatsa matta you? It's stayed up since 01-Mar-00 - 04:14 PM!

Yes many threads live longer but remember-- some of them just end up with blue ba**s.

Anyway this one can always come up again.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 12:10 PM

Just think of the problems you would have playing gut strings!

My Ding-a-ling/sometimes goes limp

troll

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 11:29 PM

Yeah, Troll, that's a klezmer instrument, right?

So much to learn, so little time...

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:10 AM

Praise, Praise! My Ding-a-ling is a song by none other than the great Chuck Berry! I would have expected you to know that.Boy! Am I disapointed!

The klezmer instrument you were probably thinking of is the Tsimbalom which is similar to the hammered dulcimer. Much more than you wanted to know, right? I'm a wealth of useless facts.

troll

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:15 AM

Troll, hi!!! OK, I DON'T know everything, don't TELL everyone!!!

KLEZMER! Must learn klezmer!! Come over now, teach all!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:15 AM

Is that the same as a Cimbalom going limp? With all those strings, I'm not surprised.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:31 AM

Yep! Just a different spelling.

Praise,if you want to learn from klezmer, you should check out the Klezmer Conservatory Band or the Klezmatics. Also,"In The Fiddlers House" with Itzak perleman and whole bunch of really fine bands. It is fun music and not that hard to play although some of the fiddle techniques are strange.

troll

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:37 AM

Troll,

No!! You have to come!! Don't make us come down there with the electric autoharps!

OK, I'll check those out, learn some stuff, and then I'm coming to get you!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:38 AM

Fun, yes, not hard to play, welll, if you wanna play in two, or three, or four flats, OK it's not hard. I personally find more than 2 flats difficult anymore. But fun, Oh Golly, yes!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:40 AM

Sorcha you come too!!!! Must have klezmer!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 01:05 AM

Honey, it's a LONG WAYS from Wyoming to New York, and I can't seem to memorize any of it! Flats just aren't there anymore!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 01:16 AM

Whats this New York stuff? It's cold up there! I'm in Florida. Go to alta vista and enter "24th Street Klezmer Band". I'm the guy in the back with the banjo the beard and the cap.

The weather here is gorgeous! All the azaleas are coming into bloom and the temp. hasn't started it's climb to the stars yet. Yet!

So go on! Check it out! I'd give you the web site address but I never can remember it. It's very long. So just do a search and there we are. My Wife is the short one (not the blond)

troll