Yep, that's how they feel -- bruised. My fingers are so sore I am cringing at the thought of playing again! That's what I get for not keeping up with my practicing.

I started playing violin in 5th grade, then switched to viola in 8th grade, and went from there. I need to keep up with it, I do enjoy it, and I was surprised that I actually sounded decent after all this time. ;-)