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Position question on Lindsey Stirling's Hallelujah (Key D)
Or other songs with lots of open strings...
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Iridal

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December 23, 2016 - 3:36 pm
Member Since: December 8, 2015
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Hi all! I'm pretty much a lurker here but I learn a lot from reading your posts, so when I had a question I knew where to turn...

So a friend has asked me to learn Hallelujah, specifically Linsey Stirling's version, or as close as I can get.  She has the piece in D. One thing I've never been good at is figuring out what positions are best for pieces.  I'm curious what you think she is doing here, or what choices you yourselves would make.  I *think* she is starting in first to play the F# then popping to 3rd so she can easily hit the higher runs and use vibrato with no open strings or 4th finger vibrato, then coming back down to 1st to close out the phrase on the low end...?

What would you guys do?  Alternate between 1st/3rd or pick one and commit?  She may be playing the whole thing in 3rd, is that fairly common for keys like A/D/G that have a lot of otherwise open strings?  I'm always interested in how people interpret pieces for their own ease!

Thanks :)

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
December 23, 2016 - 10:08 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

I'm not sure that I'm familiar with the piece but if you shoot me a link or the sheet music I'll help you with fingering. :)

If by chance you are referring to Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and you want to start with f#, then by all means shift to third with a nice tasteful slide and vibrato. Emphasize the B natural as that is where the phrase leads to. You can easily tear apart a piece looking for the best options and still find a better way of doing it afterwards. It's all a matter of taste and opinion.

Are you playing the piece by ear or reading music?

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Iridal

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December 25, 2016 - 5:58 pm
Member Since: December 8, 2015
Forum Posts: 6
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Hi! Thanks for the response.   :)  Yeah it is the same song, just her take happens to be in D (starting on F# yes) and I was curious how an experienced player would tackle it.  I understand there are many ways to skin a cat but hearing perspective of others is always helpful!

I have glanced at the sheet music but that one seemed like a good exercise to figure by ear, at least for the melody itself. She has many embelishments and a breakdown later that, if I wanted to recreate her version, I would need to purchase the sheet music.  The basic part though gives me a chance to practice playing by ear.  I go back and forth a bit.  My main "instrument" is vocal, classical and modern, so I lean towards a mix of sheet music and by ear already.  Does it make a huge difference or just curious?

Thanks again, and Merry Christmas!!

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
December 26, 2016 - 1:13 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
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Here is a link.

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
December 27, 2016 - 8:43 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

I agree, use the sheet music if you need it or can use it and make your own version based on what you have heard and like. Above all, don't make it too technical. Focus on the music and what you want to hear while you play. :)

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Barry
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December 31, 2016 - 9:57 am
Member Since: June 30, 2011
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There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart

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