First it was (James) Jim’s violin, he was very musical and played by ear. He played the violin and the trombone. He gave music lessons to neighborhood children…we know that from the Farm Diaries that he left behind. He also played for dances…a hundred years ago dances were a big thing and happened nearly every weekend. James is Far Guy’s Paternal Grandfather.
James X. and Tracie (Far Guy's Grandparents) Grandma played the piano. This photo was most likely taken in the 1950's. It was taken in the living room at the farm. Grandma is sitting at the piano.
The music skipped a generation…as far as I know none of their four boys played the violin. After Grandpa died, it sat in the case. Grandma said that it would go to the first child that would learn to play it.
Our daughter Trica took violin lessons and played for Grandma on many occasions. We had the violin repaired at the Nels Vogel Music Shop in Moorhead and they said it was the best sounding violin they had heard in a long time.
Trica Christmas 1982
For many years the violin sat in it’s case.
Recently our grandson Noah got the violin from his Auntie Trica and he is taking lessons. He plays by ear too. Hopefully it will keep being passed from generation to generation.
Noah X. 2015
Noah and his Great Great Grandfather share a middle name. Xaver, which can be spelled two different ways. Noah's is spelled Xavier. AND then there is Adam James who we cannot leave out when mentioning names and who you are named after.
Love your story about the violin. We have an antique one hanging on our wall. It was my hubby's grandfather's.
ReplyDeleteHow nice that it is being kept in the family and someone is playing it again!! What a treasure to pass down. I hope it stays in your family, too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beauty. I am not musical at all but really love to listen to others who play well. :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful "tradition" - the treasured family heirloom that keeps going.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post today about the passing along of the skills. I do think that playing by ear is hereditary...I have to have music in front of me on the piano.
ReplyDeleteGood to see the young people still interested in string instruments. I used to play the violin when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteNice that someone in the family is carrying on the violin tradition. Despite my mother's 'conducting', there is no musical inclination on my side of the family that I know of. My mother-in-law was quite musical, and Meredith inherited some of it, but she ditched all musical instruction when she hit 16, and has never looked back. Too bad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story. I like to see families handing traditions down to the next generation.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this post. My mom and dad met at a community dance in the 30s. In the 70s, I attended community dances at a mountain Grange hall. People brought food for the midnight feast, and people of ALL ages had a tremendous time dancing. It's sad that we have let traditions like that fade away.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family tradition! I too played the violin.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post! Do you have any recordings of James playing the violin? We didn't have violins in our family, but GN has one of her great-grandfather's flutes.
ReplyDeleteNope no recordings:(
DeleteI don't play an instrument but if I had had the chance, it would have been the violin. I remember at my Grandparent's house the stairway walls were hung with violins so obviously my uncles must have played them but I never heard it.
ReplyDeleteWe have a piano that makes the rounds....I just passed it down. It's a LOT harder to move than a violin ;)
ReplyDeleteGood for Noah. My wife has a close friend that plays. My two kids were trumpet and saxophone players. Jazz band is big in our school.
ReplyDeleteLovely post and photos , great family tradition to ! Most of my family play instruments so does hubs , I used to play guitar but my hands aren't what they used to be I also sang in a band when I was younger . It is nice to have musically inclined family members makes for great holiday jamming parties ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteThe old violin ties a good story together. I like good fiddle music and I like the cello.
ReplyDeleteSuch a neat post. I'm glad Noah is playing the violin. My grandson John took violin lessons and seemed pretty good at it. Since he graduated from high school and I've not heard it mentioned since.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special family treasure, and it's wonderful that it is being played.
ReplyDeleteGo, Noah! Maybe those dances aren't happening every weekend, but I know some fiddlers who still play for line dancing and make a lot of people happy. Maybe someday...Noah...
ReplyDeleteMy dad played the violin and the trombone, too.
Not at the same time, of course...
What a wonderful treasure of that violin and pictures of the grandparents playing together. So glad someone in each generation has taken a liking to it. No one in my family is musical except my daughter and I sing. Well, she does...I don't anymore. Good luck to Noah. I hope he sticks with it!
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