Introduction to the Violin & Fiddle Video Instructional FAQs
"Introduction to the Violin & Fiddle"
Aug 11, 2009, at 3:27 PM
Your Name: Roger
Subject: Mandolin DVD
Message: Love your Mandolin DVD until I got to chapter 9, the songs!
The exercises were easy to follow but on the first song, Dixie, I am having trouble following the video.
Do you have tablature to go with the video?
Or the sequence of notes?
F#, E, D, D, D, E, F#, G, A, A, A, B, B, B, A, B, C#, D, E, F#, C# Is that right?
Then I get lost.
Please help.
Greetings Roger,
Thanks for writing and I'm glad to assist.
I will work on tab for Dixie and maybe offer it up on our site at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/Mandolin_Lessons.htmlA few of the tunes are already posted from the DVD ... however, I will still do my best to get them all tabbed out.
On your sequence of notes, try the following:
F#, E, D, D, D, E, F#, G, A, A, A, F#, B, B, B, A, B, A, B, C#, D, E, F#, D, A, D, A, F#, A, E, F#, D
Hope this helps.
Mickey Cochran
On Aug 12, 2009, at 1:25 AM, Roger Inglis wrote:
Mickey,
You have Dixie tab up!
It is under lesson 4.
Didn't look there before.
I was looking at the section under "beginning melodies".May I ask what program you use to create your tablatures?
Roger
It's been so long ... I didn't realize I had already completed this tab. Still lots more to do ...
My tablature application of choice is Sibelius ...
All my best, Mickey
Subject: RE: Left-handed beginners violin
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:47:32 -0400Hi Mickey,
Thank you for the information. I checked your site first and then ordered the CA-30 from Amazon. I didn't realize you had accessories so I will check with you first. The CA-40 looked good, however, it didn't have auto shut-off and reviews stated that leaving it on could damage the unit. I can see where I would frequently forget to shut it off so I ordered the 30. They also had the peg glue and the shoulder rest so I ordered those as well. Thanks to your DVD I now know why you mentioned if it was shipped ready to play it may not be received ready to play. I will be easily able to adjust the bridge if necessary and will check it before I play as well as ensure the pegs don't keep slipping. The DVD is awesome, and I will watch the tuning until my strings acclimate and stop stretching on a regular basis. I think I can get the hang of this. Stopped watching the video until I receive the violin so I can practice with the boy and then practice with the bow and the D string. My learning curve will slow down from here as it will just take practice now I believe.
Thanks! Michelle
Subject: Left-handed beginners violin
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:09:30 -0400Greetings Mickey,
Thank you. I have begun watching your video so I am understanding a lot more now. The video is very good and makes me feel very comfortable with starting to play. Great job! I will look on your web site to see if you have tuners, before I search anywhere else.
Thank you for the information on left-handed /dominant bow hand, etc. I think I am going to have a lot of fun exploring and studying the violin. Your video is awesome and everything appears to be very straight forward. I am now learning to hold the violin. The shoulder rest that you mentioned is the first I have heard of one. I will look at those and see if it is something I would like to try. Priming the bow and tuning appears to be a breeze now.
I really appreciate your help and the very easy to follow video. This is going to be a lot of fun!
Kind Regards,
Michelle
Subject: Left-handed beginners violin
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:09:30 -0400Greetings Mickey,
Thank you. I have begun watching your video so I am understanding a lot more now. The video is very good and makes me feel very comfortable with starting to play. Great job! I will look on your web site to see if you have tuners, before I search anywhere else.
Thank you for the information on left-handed /dominant bow hand, etc. I think I am going to have a lot of fun exploring and studying the violin. Your video is awesome and everything appears to be very straight forward. I am now learning to hold the violin. The shoulder rest that you mentioned is the first I have heard of one. I will look at those and see if it is something I would like to try. Priming the bow and tuning appears to be a breeze now.
I really appreciate your help and the very easy to follow video. This is going to be a lot of fun!
Kind Regards,
Michelle
Date: 12/20/08
Subject: Re: Violin Lessons
Hi. I'm interested in your violin instructional DVDs. I've learned a great deal from your site and appreciate it tremendously. Do you have any other instructional DVDs on the violin that would perhaps be a continuation of your intro DVD?
Greetings:
Thanks for writing ... and, thanks for your interest in my DVDs ... currently I have the Introduction to the Violin DVD available ... and it's 2 + hours of instruction.
A complete table of contents can be viewed at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page5409.htmYes, I believe a Intro to Violin & Fiddle part 2 would be in order ... however, I haven't anything planned for this in the future.
I do appreciate your application of my online lessons ... and am happy to answer any questions you may have along your learning journey.
All my best!
Mickey Cochran
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312http://www.mysticwestproducts.com
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 23:32:21 -0600
Subject: Re: Nail polish on pegs!Hi Mickey,
good point about the acid affecting the pegs. Might try the rosin/sandpaper method!
Re: the dvd (violin/fiddle) where can I get the music for the songs.
A strad? If only! A friend of mine has one. He doesn't play. the wood is in bad condition, and there are no strings and one of the pegs is missing and the bow has no hairs! Would cost a mere $400 to get up to scratch. However, he's not parting with it, but I keep trying.
Thanks.
Best regards
Valerie M.Hi Valerie ...
Re: the dvd: Introduction to the Violin & Fiddle where can I get the music for the songs?
Yes ... I have been working on support files for the web site that will cover the Intro to Violin/Fiddle ...
We do have a couple of exercises and songs that coincide with the video at:
"Dixie" and "Loch Lavan Castle" can be found at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/Fiddle_Lessons.htmlThe violin reference files can be found at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/Violin_Lessons.htmlAnd, am working on including "Ashokan Farewell" within the next couple of months.
Feel free to write anytime ... I'm glad to assist you along your learning journey.
Mickey Cochran
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312http://www.mysticwestproducts.com
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:46:11 -0600
Subject: Violin Notes?Mickey,
I was wondering if you had sheet music showing the notes for the songs you play on your violin dvd - particularly for the celtic melody and Ashokan farewell. I think I'm getting them figured out for the celtic melody, but your fingers move a little fast in the video and the notes would be helpful.
I broke my left collarbone in a mountain biking accident in early August, so I had a two-month layoff from the violin, but I'm back at it and am making slow progress. Even my wife, who has an excellent musical ear, paid me a compliment last night.
It's amazing how many subtle things must come into play on a violin. Sometimes I wonder if one can actually "play" it. Seems like it has a mind of its own and I'm really trying to coax it to play music.
Don K.
Atlantic Mine, MIGreetings Don,
To date, I haven't transcribed these particular tunes ... I do have some online lessons for violin/fiddle at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/Fiddle_Lessons.html
And, I will do my best to get "Loch Lauvin (Laven) Castle" up ... followed by "Ashokan Farewell".
I agree with you about the violin being elusive ... and it seems like we are all "coaxing it to play music" ... it's a fun challenge to say the least.
Sorry to hear about the mountain biking accident. I used to mountain bike quite a bit myself. Fortunately, I wasn't on any treacherous trails. I hope to get back into it; however, I will be extra careful and ride on level ground. I should also get a helmet I suspect.
Feel free to send me any questions you may have while on your violin/fiddle playing journey.
I'm glad to help,
Mickey Cochran
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312http://www.mysticwestproducts.com
Date: Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:54:25 -0500
Subject: Ashokan FarewellMickey,
Any chance you'll be putting those notes to Ashokan Farewell on your website? I spent several hours last night replaying the video in short pieces and I think I've got almost all of it down, but at the very end the tune gets kind of tricky. I found notes online to the original version, but I think I like your version better. At any rate, it's a beautiful tune and I'm looking forward to the time when I can play it well. Right now I 'm kind of like a dog playing chess - the amazing thing isn't that he plays it well, but that he plays it at all.
If you get this one up, I promise I won't bug you for any more notes. ;-)
I guess it's time for me buy another fiddle songbook.
Don
Hi Don ...
I'll do my best to transcribe this piece ... it's been quite overwhelming trying to revamp the FOTW website and phase out of instrument retail. Really, I can't wait to start adding new content (which should include a transcription of all tunes on the Intro to Violin DVD). It might be December or January ... I will put it on the todo list.
Let me know how else I can assist along your learning journey.
All my best,
--Mickey Cochran
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312http://www.mysticwestproducts.com
Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:14:20 -0500
Subject: Re: Ashokan FarewellThat'll be a great help. Looking forward to it. In the meantime I'll keep working on double stops, vibrato, shuffle bowing and all the other things I don't do very well yet. I appreciate what you said about practice and perseverance on the dvd. Learning to fiddle reminds me of splitting big blocks of hard maple - you have to hit it many times with the splitting maul with no visible progress and then suddenly it cracks. I've still got a big pile of blocks to split, but that firewood pile is growing too.
I imagine you must have been playing musical instruments for much of your life to have learned to play as many as you do - but imagine yourself learning to play the fiddle in a household where three of your kids are accomplished musicians and your wife is an excellent singer with a finely tuned ear. They've been supportive and helpful, but they're also a somewhat intimidating audience. My kids inherited their musical talents from my wife, but all I've really got to go on is the stubbornness I inherited from my parents. Do you suppose that's enough? Don
Of course ... stubbornness, if channeled properly, is an asset. It may be your most redeeming asset depending on how stubborn you may be. In combination with patience, you'll find yourself arriving at most any goal you set.
All my best, Mickey
You said it very well - stubbornness, /if channeled properly/....
I'm going to put that one in my wallet. Thanks! Don
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 20:32:33 -0600
Subject: Re: Introduction to Violin and FiddleGood Morning,
This is a question I am sure you have received already, but for my benefit would you mind helping me out? I am 69 years old and have received my first Fiddle, from my cousin whom makes them. I have always wanted to play a musical instrument but for what ever reason never did. I guess my father whom was a professional musician didn't think I had any musical talent. He always told me that he didn't want his son to live the life of a musician, so consequently I never had the opportunity to learn. Well here I am in the later part of my life and have a new Fiddle and don't know how to play it, or read music.
My question, will your DVD help me?
Thank you so very much,
Dennis
Greetings Dennis,
Thanks for writing.
Yes, the "Introduction to the Violin and Fiddle DVD" is designed to assist the stark beginner on violin. In other words, it's a complete introductory course in learning how to play violin and fiddle. Most importantly, it covers how to properly hold the violin and bow and ensure that you facilitate the learning process without acquiring any bad habits. And, it starts with the fundamentals and moves into learning songs as you gain the basic skills along the way. This makes the learning process far less frustrating than just trying to jump into learning songs ... hence, this DVD approaches the learning process from a methodical step-by-step approach lessening the frustration normally encountered during the learning process.
Additionally, we offer complete e-mail support, for as long as you may need it, should you encounter any problem during your learning journey.
Hope this helps ... and feel free to write anytime.
All my best!
Mickey Cochran
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312http://www.mysticwestproducts.com
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:30:45 -0400
Subject: Thanks!Mickey,
Thanks. I'm looking forward to receiving the DVD. I bought a fiddle for my 54th birthday last month and have been working at it. I suppose I'll start taking some lessons in the future, but I figured I could make a start and work on some basics first with your DVD. In case you're wondering why someone my age (who doesn't play anything else) would want to take up the fiddle, I was really taken by the fiddle tune that Billy Bobb Thornton "plays" as Davy Crockett in the Alamo movie (I understand he learned to play the fiddle for the movie so that the motions would look natural at least.) That scene was the high point of the movie, and made me want to learn how to play the fiddle.. If you haven't seen it, you oughta rent the DVD.
Don
Don: That's very cool! Yes, I remember the original John Wayne directed Alamo movie ... haven't seen the remake with Billy Bobb Thornton ... sounds cool. I'll have to catch it soon. I did look it up on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318974/
Love to hear of your progress, so please keep me posted.
All my best, Mickey
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:10:14 -0400
Subject: Re: Thanks! Follow-up from 10 days before.Mickey,
Great video. So far I've learned to play Dixie and Shenandoah. I can see that that tremolo's going to take some work to get it down. I have a couple of questions about playing two strings at once. Do you apply any extra pressure on the bow? Seems like the bow tends to pick up the A string but slide over the D without catching it. Or maybe I need better strings? Also, when fingering the D string, do you shift your fingers slight toward the G? I'm having a time keeping them from interfering witht the A string.
Looking forward to taking a stab at the Celtic Melody. I'm still stretching a lot of hand and forearm muscles, but that left hand is slowly coming around.
Don
Hi Don!
Good to hear that the video did arrive ... and even better that you're making good use of it.
Yes, tremolo's take time to grow into ... and, really, most everyone ends up with their own approach to the tremolo and vibrato.
Yes, there is slightly more pressure applied with the bow when playing two strings at once (a double-stop) ... Another thing to keep in mind is the bridge set-up ... sometimes fiddlers will sand their bridges slightly flatter between two strings which makes it even easier to accomplish the double-stop. I really don't believe its necessary unless a bridge is just arched to high between the strings.
If you're having trouble playing the D string and touching the A string at the same time ... and as long as you are playing with the very tips of your fingers, there's also a possibility that the D or A strings are not seated properly in your bridge. Make sure both strings are residing in their respective notches on the bridge. You may need a violin tech to set up your bridge for easier accessibility on double-stops and to ensure there is sufficient distance between the strings for ease of left-hand playing.
Hope this helps ... Mickey
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:27:35 -0400
Subject: Re: Violin Video QuestionsThanks. I suspect one these days my fingers are going to be supple enough and the tips calloused enough that they will magically find that sweet spot to stop one string without touching the other. You appear to have ordinary sized hands, which is an encouragement. When I first ran across this in my practice book my first thought that you needed child sized hands. Don
Hi,
I'm interested in your beginning DVD. Definitely I want to learn the basics, but my question is....do you teach any actual songs, or is it all methodology?
Thanks,
Anton
Greetings Anton,
This DVD covers both technique building, from the very beginning, and songs. Both the methodology and the songs support each other in further developing your facility on the violin/fiddle.
Here's a complete listing of tunes on the DVD (songs included have quotation marks):
The D Scale - "Dixie"
"House of the Rising Sun"
"Beethoven's Ninth"
Vibrato - "Oh Shenandoah"
"Loch Laven Castle"
"Ashokan Farewell"
"Old Joe Clark"
- D. Your First melody: "Dixie"
- G. Your Second Melody: "House of the Rising Sun"
Further Fiddle Techniques
- B. "Boil Them Cabbage Down"
- C. "Old Joe Clark"
Further Violin Techniques
- B. "Beethoven's Ninth"
- D. "Oh Shenandoah"
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 02:02:15 -0600
Subject: Re: Links & Fiddles
Hi Mickey,
Yes the fiddle arrived intact!! Thanks for picking me out a nice one. It arrived shortly before I had to go out of town. I was in Washington DC last week and I'm in Savannah, GA right now. I'll be home Friday and should get a chance to play with it some!!
I'll get your banner up on my site soon. Still rebuilding what we lost a couple months ago. Geeze life has gotten Soooooo busy!! I did get to watch your fiddle video and it is Excellent!!! So much better than anything else I've seen. I love the way you explain EVERYTHING!!!!!
Thanks again,
Dan
Dan,
I see you're on the road as usual. I remember a few years back when you were in Deadwood one week before we were there...that would have been a hell of a chance encounter...
You might consider taking your violin with you...You can also practice a violin by playing it like a mandolin...this helps develop your knowledge of the fingerboard and eliminates the need to draw the bow. And, the violin is more portable than any other so-called travel instrument. Just a suggestion...
I'm still working on quite a few projects myself. I'm currently finishing a book on Fingerstyle Mandolin...the start of it is now posted on our website at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/Lessons_Fingerstyle_Mandolin.html
I believe you might find the Preface somewhat interesting...it's a small window to my lifelong musical journey...I'd love to get your take on it...to date I do not know of one video or book on fingerstyle mandolin.
You might also find our community website of interest:
Alto, New Mexico's official website:
http://www.altonewmexico.us
Contact:
webmaster@altonewmexico.us
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312
It might inspire you to finally come by for a visit...
Hope you're having a fun and safe journey, Mickey
Subject: Intro to the Violin & Fiddle
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 08:34:00 -0400
Do you have this item as a DVD instead of VHS?
We had high hopes of having the DVD ready this summer...unfortunately, as an instrument retail operation, we're buried under...and, we do everything in-house and do not out-source...so, our only excuse is that our resources are exhausted...this video is 2.5 hours in length and on DVD this requires two separate DVD's...hence the price may be another 50% above the cost of the VHS...so, the VHS is a good value as it stands...
Subject: RE: Intro to the Violin & Fiddle:
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 16:30:02 -0500
Hi Mickey,
Me again,
Regarding your video "Intro to the Violin & Fiddle" are there any DVD copies or plans to do so?
Greetings Raymond,
DVD's are in the works. We're up against encoding to mpeg2...we have the original video edited and stored on a hard drive. We digitally record everything therefore, the step to DVD should be a natural process. Unfortunately, it's still a time consuming process. Our projected dates for release on DVD is the first part of 2004. Please stay tuned on our website for updates.
Mickey
Subject: details about the video for violin
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 16:25:32 +0800
Dear Sir, I wonder if your video tape explains the different bow strokes, like stac, spicato et. in slow motion for a beginner to follow. I am an elderly beginner and am afraid to go to a younger techer for fear of being rediculed I being slow of understanding. Aodeo like yours would be aboon
Plwasw reply
joseph mathews
Greetings Joseph,
Thanks so much for your interest in our violin/fiddle video. This video is a basic instructional video that leans heavily on methodology as opposed to teaching one song after another. Many bowing techniques are covered such as lifting the bow, proper bowing hand, shuffle bowing, proper bow angle, tremolo, etc. However, the violin bowing techniques you're asking about are not included. Even so, we are bringing out a series of videos on violin and hope to cover these bowing techniques in our sequel to the first video. Unfortunately, within a 2 and 1/2-hour framework, on one video, it's impossible to cover some of the finer violin techniques you're requesting. Keep in mind, we also cover many left hand techniques in this video including, but not limited to: vibrato, the trill, the slide, etc. Again, this video is, at the very least, a methodology video; whereas, most violin instructional videos appear to be song compilations that touch on violin technique and studies.
Wishing you the best in your research efforts, Mickey
Subject: details about the video "Introduction to the Violin & Fiddle"
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 16:25:32 +0800
Dear Sir, I wonder if your video tape explains the different bow strokes, like stac, spicato et. in slow motion for a beginner to follow. I am an elderly beginner and am afraid to go to a younger techer for fear of being rediculed I being slow of understanding. Aodeo like yours would be aboon
Please reply
joseph
Greetings Joseph,
Thanks so much for your interest in our violin/fiddle video. This video is a basic instructional video that leans heavily on methodology as opposed to teaching one song after another. Many bowing techniques are covered such as lifting the bow, proper bowing hand, shuffle bowing, proper bow angle, tremolo, etc. However, the violin bowing techniques you're asking about are not included. Even so, we are bringing out a series of videos on violin and hope to cover these bowing techniques in our sequel to the first video. Unfortunately, within a 2-hour framework, it's impossible to cover some of the finer violin techniques you're requesting. Keep in mind, we also cover many left hand techniques in this video including, but not limited to: vibrato, the trill, the slide, etc. Again, this video is, at the very least, a methodology video; whereas, most other violin instructional videos appear to be song compilations.
Wishing you the best in your research efforts, Mickey
--
Mickey Cochran
Production/CIO
Folk of the Wood
http://www.folkofthewood.com
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