Violin/Fiddle: Beginning Beginner Music Theory

Date: Fri, 6 May 2005 17:35:28 EDT
Subject: Learning Music Theory on Violin

HI, I am 45 and have not played since I was in high school and recently was given a nice German violin. I have several books on scales and bowing techniques which I can read and practice. I was told to get some "dominate" strings and a Westminister "E" string which I did. I have just started to play with the worship team at our small church which has only a keyboard player, a bass guitar player and an electric guitar player. No one reads music except for me and they all play by sound and when they want to play a song they just decide what key they want to play in depending on who is singing that day. I am at a loss other than knowing that if we play in the key of G for example that it has one sharp and it is F#. That just tells me about that one note. What is there out there that will help in the way of finding the root/chords and progressions?

I suspect general theory books on building scales and chords should help...once you have an understanding of how intervals work, within scale patterns, the easier it will be to tackle any song.

I find myself fumbling around trying to play the melody by listening to the singing (which is usually not on key). Also, I would like to learn how to play some southern Gospel music and I am wondering if I need to file down my bridge so that I can do double stops etc.

Not necessarily...in fact I highly recommend learning double-stops with a standard bridge. This ensures that you're not accidentally playing double-stops when only wanting to play single lines.

Lastly, I also have a viola and some of the songs are sung using the notes on the "C" string other than playing an octave higher what else can I do? I really don't want to just play the melody which once learned is not too exciting. I would appreciate anything that you could suggest.

Not sure about the viola question. Can you describe it further...or give me an example. Mickey

Thank you, Annette

Subject: music theory book
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 02:23:11 -0600

Hi,

Just discovered your website, quite by accident. I've been browsing the web seeking help in learning music theory, in particular, third position on the violin. I am 18 years old and have taken classical violin lessons for 10 years. I have a great ear for my music and my ear playing is much better than my note reading. I read rather well in 1st position and have a very good vibrato and playing technic.
I am just beginning third position, but cannot seem to grasp the concept. My teacher is a great example of fine playing, but lacks the ability of making the theory clear to me. Could you reccommend a theory book....something that begins with basics and explains positions.

Thank you for your help.

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,

Mel Bay offers some very good violin theory books...check them out at www.melbay.com.

I've seen too many good ones to count...one that really intrigues me is the Hokum Fiddle Scales and Theory...

We also cover quite a bit of music theory for violin on our web site: http://www.folkofthewood.com/Violin_Lessons.html

Best of luck to you in your research...Mickey

Subject: positions
Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 10:56:14 -0400

Hey Mickey!

Love your website....question for ya....I'm new to fiddle and I'm reading all this stuff about positions. Can you explain to me what positions are, how many there are, what fingers are used to play notes in various positions, etc...? Or can you refer me to a website where I could gain more insight on this? I'm a visual person and love that you have on your site for scales where you show the notes, fingerboard and finger references...looking for something like that if you have it or know where I can find it!

Keep up the great work! Also checking out your used fiddle selection - love that Zeta....!

Greetings,

Position: the place on the violin fingerboard where the fingers are placed...
There are a variety of positions also classified as 1st, 2nd and 3rd...etc.
And these are designated by position shifts...for instance, with the hand position at the 1st position of the fingerboard, you would be playing the G String A note with the index (first) finger)...when shifting to the 2nd position, you would then be playing the G String B note with the index (first finger)...this would put your hand in place so that all the other fingers can now reach a higher register...positions are almost endless since they can take other forms besides this...

I have no idea if there are any visual references of where to place the fingers...however, we'll try our best to update our violin lessons to include fingering positions...

Good luck with your future research...Mickey