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10 months.
Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 (0 votes) 
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Guest
May 7, 2016 - 10:36 am

Hi, this is the first time I've posted a video of myself playing, I'm 10 months in and fiddle is the first instrument I've ever played. 

It's not my best playing nor is it my worst, so I figured it'd do as an example of my playing on average. 

For some reason I only did 1 part A but 2 part B's and I think I am most definitely speeding up, which is a problem I encounter quite often. 

I'm looking for some feedback and ideas on where I should focus to see improvement. There is so much info out there on playing the fiddle that I sometimes find it quite overwhelming and don't really know what to practise or focus on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....ElvkCd9qUQ

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Guest
May 7, 2016 - 11:57 am

Great Job and a good tempo!

your playing look loose and relaxed, with good form in your left wrist and had, likewise  with your right.

The one thing that I can see that is affecting your tone production is down bowing on the upper end of the bow. the hairs are sliding toward the scroll, and the opposite is true on the up bow. at about 1/3 bow you are back at the original sounding point. This is caused by moving your shoulder back to extend your reach.

I don't know if you are aware of or working on this already.

I suffered from this and still do when not paying attention to it.

So when getting to the tip and coming from the tip, instead of moving your shoulder back, leave it still and instead move your elbow forward while extending and pushing your hand forward, just enough to keep the bow draw straight. It also helps to rock the bow to the its side just before the tip to make this a more natural movement. This also makes bow changes a little smother, an added bonus right!.

There is a good video from a pro on youtube about this. Its where i am getting this advice from. If i can find it again ill post the link.

Hope this helps! 

Otherwise tho your fiddling looks very nicely done, congrats on all your effort, it shows!

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BillyG
Brora, North-east Scotland
May 7, 2016 - 2:07 pm
Member Since: March 22, 2014
Forum Posts: 3746
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Hi - sounding good there - so no real comment other than this - as a 2 year beginner and still becoming aware of subtle things - I noticed this with my own (earlier) playing - with the fiddle generally pointed downwards so far - the natural effect of gravity "wants to make the bow slide down the neck" ( and continually get further away from the bridge ) - Not that it DID there in your playing - you have it controlled in that respect - but - it seems like an un-necessary "subtle control/correction" on the bow that may not be necessary ? (probably being corrected to stop it slipping down the neck by your wrist I guess? - Always difficult to analyse...  LOL )    Don't know for sure - but it is more important that you do what feels most natural.

I have "corrected my hold" many times over LOL - to find the most comfortable for me  ( OK, it takes chin-rest and shoulder rest adjustments ( I can now just about live without the shoulder-rest ! ) to get really comfortable - my (current) hold is having the fiddle parallel to the floor ( more or less ) - but with the body rotated at around 45 degrees (that varies during playing).   Just some thoughts  -but as I say - do what feels best for you is what it is all about...

Good playing by the way !   Thanks for the post !

EDIT: LOL at "speeding up" - yup - LOL I wouldn't worry ( don't mention metronome - it throws me off totally - I tap my foot ! ) 

I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - guntohead.JPG

Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)

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Guest
May 8, 2016 - 12:18 pm

Thanks for the feedback guys. 

I noticed how far forward my fiddle is when I watched the video, my left elbow arm is also very close to my body. I think these things are connected and are maybe related to a shoulder rest/chin rest issue? 

I think my left arm being so close to my body is really limiting my ability to move the elbow and in turn is making my left wrist twist more than it needs to when I go for the G string. I have pretty long fingers so I think I've been making do and not correcting my immobile left arm like I should have (maybe this explains the sore wrist I had a few months ago?). 

I think I have neglected some basic technique work due to impatience. I've been wanting to learn and play all the tunes my friends are playing so I can take part in jams, instead of really focusing on mastering the basics like I should have been.

Anyway, I stole a big mirror from the bathroom so I can watch myself bow and better analyse my posture. I think I'm going to take a step back and put some more work in on the basics rather than focusing so much on trying to get up to jamming speed so quickly.

Thanks again for the feedback.

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Georganne
May 8, 2016 - 2:27 pm
Member Since: August 28, 2013
Forum Posts: 993
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Wow really good for 10 months.  I don't think you have anything to worry about.  Practice and perseverance will get you were you want to go.  

 

Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.

 

Alaska, the Madness; Bloggity Stories of the North Country

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
May 20, 2016 - 4:03 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16539









Very nice. I enjoyed it.
I would like to see you use more bow arm elbow rather than your shoulder.
More tips on the next one. :)

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

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damfino
my own little world
May 21, 2016 - 10:33 am
Member Since: July 23, 2015
Forum Posts: 2113
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Great job!

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