PLAYING ONE FIDDLE...
As we are learning to play the violin/fiddle we must understand it is a precise task. The small scale and fretless neck gives us no room for error. I strongly recommend players ( within their first 5 years) to find and stick with one fiddle that is properly set up for maximum tone and playability. The reason for this is every violin when set up properly could be scaled differently. I have owned many fiddles/violins over the years all ranging from 324 to 329 mm from the nut to the top of the bridge. This variation in distance can be enough that changing fiddles can alter our muscle memory in our left hand. I have in recent years decided to play only one fiddle and I am happy with the results.
Example...One fiddle may have a string length of 325mm and we play it for 6 months, then we switch to another fiddle because we like the change in tone and it is set up at a string length of 327mm. Now we are two millimeters off. Our notes are now in a different place. Also the height of the strings has everything to do with intonation as well. How far we have to push down depends on where we place our fingers.
The answer may be to have your different fiddles all set up exactly the same. And this is a reasonable solution. Although the maximum tone could be sacrificed because of the small radius of the soundpost placement and bridge placement. I do know fiddle players that have this approach and it works for them.
To simplify and save yourself alot of cash and to guarantee that your muscle memory routine will be consistent I recommend landing on one fiddle that is a quality instrument that you like and can stay with. Upgrading is ok. We all have done it and liked it. But I strongly urge younger players to stay with one fiddle and only change for a real upgrade in quality and stick with it.
LEARNING...
Learn as much as possible. Find something that you like and find a way to learn it. Learn basic scales and arpeggios in all positions and practice them. Learn the bowing patterns. Practice scales with the different bowing patterns. Learn different songs and learn the same song in a different key. Don't get too spread out though. Remember its not how many songs you know, it how well you can play the songs you know.
Bowing does matter. If you like someone else's playing study their bowing as well as their notes. Make sure the bow is straight. The limp wrist is not that critical. How we hold the bow is not that critical. I've seen a lot of world class fiddlers all with different levels of flexibility in the wrist and different bow holds. The one thing in common among fiddle players is there is some flexibility as we bow (obviously to keep it straight and get the clean tone). Proper technique does help us play in tune. Remember, music is just timing and notes. How we hit the notes doesn't matter as long as when hit them. Music is just noise if it doesn't stir feeling.
Video Learning...
Learning through video is a good way to learn. Seeing and hearing and being shown the notes makes learning so much faster and more time efficient. It is limited because of the lack of interaction but it is economical. If there is a particular topic or song that you would like a video for email me and let me know. Ill tell you if i will be able to help you. But do remember my expertise is in Texas fiddle, bluegrass fiddle, and country bandstand fiddle. My capabilities do reach somewhat beyond these boundaries but I prefer to have my videos geared around my expertise.
As we are learning to play the violin/fiddle we must understand it is a precise task. The small scale and fretless neck gives us no room for error. I strongly recommend players ( within their first 5 years) to find and stick with one fiddle that is properly set up for maximum tone and playability. The reason for this is every violin when set up properly could be scaled differently. I have owned many fiddles/violins over the years all ranging from 324 to 329 mm from the nut to the top of the bridge. This variation in distance can be enough that changing fiddles can alter our muscle memory in our left hand. I have in recent years decided to play only one fiddle and I am happy with the results.
Example...One fiddle may have a string length of 325mm and we play it for 6 months, then we switch to another fiddle because we like the change in tone and it is set up at a string length of 327mm. Now we are two millimeters off. Our notes are now in a different place. Also the height of the strings has everything to do with intonation as well. How far we have to push down depends on where we place our fingers.
The answer may be to have your different fiddles all set up exactly the same. And this is a reasonable solution. Although the maximum tone could be sacrificed because of the small radius of the soundpost placement and bridge placement. I do know fiddle players that have this approach and it works for them.
To simplify and save yourself alot of cash and to guarantee that your muscle memory routine will be consistent I recommend landing on one fiddle that is a quality instrument that you like and can stay with. Upgrading is ok. We all have done it and liked it. But I strongly urge younger players to stay with one fiddle and only change for a real upgrade in quality and stick with it.
LEARNING...
Learn as much as possible. Find something that you like and find a way to learn it. Learn basic scales and arpeggios in all positions and practice them. Learn the bowing patterns. Practice scales with the different bowing patterns. Learn different songs and learn the same song in a different key. Don't get too spread out though. Remember its not how many songs you know, it how well you can play the songs you know.
Bowing does matter. If you like someone else's playing study their bowing as well as their notes. Make sure the bow is straight. The limp wrist is not that critical. How we hold the bow is not that critical. I've seen a lot of world class fiddlers all with different levels of flexibility in the wrist and different bow holds. The one thing in common among fiddle players is there is some flexibility as we bow (obviously to keep it straight and get the clean tone). Proper technique does help us play in tune. Remember, music is just timing and notes. How we hit the notes doesn't matter as long as when hit them. Music is just noise if it doesn't stir feeling.
Video Learning...
Learning through video is a good way to learn. Seeing and hearing and being shown the notes makes learning so much faster and more time efficient. It is limited because of the lack of interaction but it is economical. If there is a particular topic or song that you would like a video for email me and let me know. Ill tell you if i will be able to help you. But do remember my expertise is in Texas fiddle, bluegrass fiddle, and country bandstand fiddle. My capabilities do reach somewhat beyond these boundaries but I prefer to have my videos geared around my expertise.
