Fiddle: Instruction Questions & Answers

Subject: Re: adjusting a violin bridge
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 22:04:42 -0000

hi, thanks for the help. I am learning to play but have never really found
playing from sheet music that easy as I've picked it up from other people
showing me so I was wondering whether you thought it would be a good idea to
get a fiddle dvd or would I be best learning strictly violin music for now -
as I want to play fiddle as opposed to classical violin.

Thanx

Greetings Christine,

My suggestion would be to focus on methodology first...which is very difficult to do from a book.

Methodology involves learning proper positioning for a good foundation...with exercises for both bowing and playing techniques that establish this foundation further. Books are good for learning to read music and learning melodies...and, of course, some scales and exercises...a personal instructor can lay the foundation down far more efficient than a book...by giving you the exact position for establishing technique...to ensure that you do not develop bad habits which may impede your playing technique. Now, a video is the next best thing...as long as you can find a video that does focus on methodology...and how to properly develop your playing position to ensure the greatest facility possible as you further your studies on violin.

Yes, fiddle has more latitude for position and technique, however, my suggestion is to gain the best foundation possible by learning proper violin technique...there are many master fiddlers that have taught themselves, only this is the exception not the rule...good fiddle technique is as important as good violin technique....

Hope something here helps, Mickey

Date: Sun, 06 Apr 2003 20:48:52 -0600
Subject: Sunday am, thanks Mickey

Hi Mickey,

Thanks so much for you fiddle-choosing help yesterday.
I enjoyed talking with you.

I mentioned my recent gypsy jazz project. If you're curious, please check out my web site for this project--

http://homepages.together.net/~gentsmin/palmiscuous.htm

We have just entered our new cd (see our site) in Acoustic Guitar magazine's Homegrown competition. (Just for fun-- thankfully we still have our "day jobs." :-)))

Again thanks for your help, and I look forward to the Gliga...

Cheers, Gary

Greetings Gary,

I certainly enjoyed the phone conversation...and, hopefully, I've expressed to you the sensitivity of the violin in relationship to the balancing of elements...do not become discouraged...once you tune into it, you'll find yourself far ahead of the average beginner whom may not have the same mandolin background as you. Your focus will be on the bowing techinique and proper positioning of the violin between the left hand and the chin. Your mando technique, on the left hand, will fall into place. And, remember, try playing it in your lap, similar to the mandolin, to first get a feel of the neck and where the notes fall.

I attempted to visit your link, and received a connection failure...I'll try again later...I'd love to see and hear what you're doing within the gypsy genre. I've always been a fan of "Hot Club of France"...

The Gliga is scheduled to go out 3-day air today.

Hope all else is well...Mickey

Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2002 08:39:48 -0800
Subject: Question on Notes for the Fiddle

First I want to say, I love your web site! It is great!! I am 40 and just started learning to play the fiddle about 2 months ago. I couldn't locate a fiddle teacher in my area so I am learning from a violin instructor. Although, he knows the techniques of the fiddle and how it is played and sounds different from the violin.

My question is in regards to notes. He has taught me the Open strings and the B, C, D and E notes. Last night I pulled out a video on learning bluegrass fiddle and was watching the teacher use these particular notes. It looked different the way he was playing these notes, appearing that he was only using one finger on the notes, where I am playing, for instance, with the C, putting my first finger on the B and the middle finger on the C. Are notes played differently on the violin than they are on the fiddle?? I hope my question makes sense!!

Thank you for your help...

Margie Klingensmith

Greetings Margie,

Glad to assist if I can:

A violin instructor, at the very least, will assist you in developing good habits. I've known my share of fiddlers who started with formal training...and, usually, it's been contributory to a refined technique within a fiddle context...

I'm not sure how your video would display the fiddler playing these notes with one finger...unless the instructor was chording two notes with the tip of one finger...which is common...such as the Em chord being played at the e/b notes of the d/a strings.

Notes are not necessarily played differently from fiddle to violin...I believe the approach can be quite a bit different. Violin has a long tradition which has set a standard for technique and approach...with the hopes of optimizing playability...

For instance, I've seen many fiddlers play with their palm against the back of the neck...although it sounded great, they were limiting their stretch to reach notes in one position...whereas, on violin, with the palm kept away from the back of the neck, you can reach notes, playing out of one position, further up the neck without limitation...

Therefore, I personally believe you're on the right track in studying proper violin technique...it'll be up to you to adapt your violin technique to fiddling after you've gained some foundation...

Hope this helps...Mickey

Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 17:54:41 -0600 (CST)

Greetings,
Dear Sir. Do you know an easy way to get rythum on fiddle. I
play a little fiddle. I know the notes, strings, and so on, but can't
get that dance rythum down. And how do I play chords on fiddle?

Glad to assist if I can:

Rhythm on the fiddle can be somewhat difficult...there are many approaches to playing rhythm on fiddle:

For example, a few may include:

1. Lifting the bow and to obtain more of a percussive rhythm...
2. Shuffling the bow with one long stroke and two short strokes...
3. Using a combination of shuffle bowing and lifting....

Playing chords on fiddle:

Playing chords on fiddle only requires what we call double-stops...these are chords that only include two notes...for instance, a G chord can be played on fiddle by drawing the bow over the G and D strings open...additionally, you can play a B note on the A string and a G note on the E string...which will allow you to cross over from the G and D open to the B and G closed within a 4-beat measure...to understand this clearly, I highly recommend finding fiddle instructional videos to learn by...

To play a 3-note chord on fiddle can be most difficult...all 3 notes are not normally played at once...but shuffled across from two-note shuffles by the bow...many old-time fiddlers will sand down their bridge so that it's flatter than traditional...allowing for the bow to hit 3 strings at once...if you want to try this, I highly recommend your taking your fiddle to a local repair technician...do not attempt to sand your bridge yourself...

To play a C chord on fiddle, you can start by playing the C note on the A string, and the E note on the D string...this would give you a double-stop C chord in the first position...again, this would be much easier to instruct by video than by books or e-mail...

Wish you the best in your mando and fiddle playing efforts, Mickey

Subject: frustrated
Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 17:24:08 -0400

Dear Mickey,

I am a novice Bass ONLY player. I play 4 string electric bass and just bought a new Dobro Acoustic bass. A couple of year ago I thought I would like to learn to play fiddle. I thought that, since a fiddle was just a small bass, it would be easy. All I'd have to do is learn to use the bow. Boy... was I wrong! Please tell me, why is a bass tuned E-A-D-G and a fiddle G-D-A-E? Who changed it? I have gained a new respect for fiddle players.

Terry Goodrich

Greetings Terry,

I'm not sure how these tunings for both bass and fiddle ended up directly opposite of each other. I do know that the fifth intervals offered by fiddle is more melodically oriented than the fourths offered by standard bass tuning. Both tunings have their advantages...

I took up the fiddle a little over a year ago and am having a great time working through the learning process. And, I agree, fiddlers deserve more respect for taking up one of the most difficult instruments in history...outside of how difficult it is to learn, I've truly enjoyed the journey.

Wishing you the best on your journey...Mickey

Subject: Do big hands impair playing?
Date: Sun, 3 Mar 2002 20:24:35 -0500

Hi! I'm 25 years old and have been playing the fiddle since I was 13.I'm not to bad at it now,but I'd like to get a lot better!My question is,since I have large hands and fingers,will I be handicapped?Does anyone even ask this question?

Greetings,

Congrats on having the foothold you have along with the early start on fiddle.

Larger hands should not be an impediment whatsoever. You have an advantage over smaller hands in some ways such as being able to fret two strings easier with the tip of one finger. Always keep in mind, developing your own style on fiddle should be an objective in itself, and certainly, differentiate you from the average fiddler. Having larger hands essentially would influence who you are as a player and contribute to your own signature revealed through your playing.

I recently took up fiddle and am having fun with the learning process. My biggest difficulty is bowing technique. Since I've played mando for 25+ years, the fretting hand comes relatively easy.

I wish you the best in your fiddling career and encourage you to develop your own style based on your larger hands and their innate advantage. Mickey

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 16:38:11 EST
Subject: how to fiddle Orange Blossom Special

Just got a fiddle,would like to learn orange blosson special.Any help u can
give would be appreciated.Thanks

There's a great video out that's sold through Mel Bay:

Titled: "All Time Fiddle Favorites" by Ed Marsh

You can find it on: www.melbay.com

Ed Marsh teaches a great version of this tune and is a methodical teacher.

Let me know if you have trouble finding it...we can also get it through our store.

Mickey