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Swallowtail Jig- for critique
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TheRedOne
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October 12, 2018 - 11:48 pm
Member Since: September 30, 2018
Forum Posts: 9
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Hi all! 

I've been learning the Swallowtail Jig for the last couple of days now, and I'd really appreciate some critique on it. I know my bowing arm isn't anything to be proud ofviolin-student, so do you have any tips for improving that and any other areas of my playing? Thanks so much in advance!

thanx_gifthanks_much_smiley_gif

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Mark
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October 13, 2018 - 1:12 am
Member Since: September 30, 2014
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The RedOne, 

Welcome to the forum,

Very well played, to me ears your intonation is very good, and to my taste your timing spot on, one thing it appeared your bow arm, wrist and hand is very stiff.

Talking about relaxing and playing and doing it while playing the fiddle is world's apart in difficulty, your playing very well and sounding good relax keep up the good work, enjoy playing the King of the melody instruments.

 

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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Jim Dunleavy
United Kingdom
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October 13, 2018 - 3:56 am
Member Since: April 19, 2015
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@TheRedOne first off, very well played. You played that with great feeling.

I agree with Mark - try to relax a bit more.

The only other thing I can add is that your contact point seems to be very much over the fingerboard, which tends to produce a quieter, more muted sound. Try playing more towards the mid-point between the fingerboard and the bridge. That will be easier once you relax your right arm and wrist a bit more.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
October 13, 2018 - 7:03 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Yes, welcome to the forum "TheRedOne".
You are right about your bow arm. Use that elbow way more and as Jim mentioned, don't play over the fingerboard. You'll have to use more pressure and not move the bow as much. In other words, shorter and stronger strokes. It will be easier for you and speed will not be an issue.

As Mark said, your intonation is good but it's not perfect (nor is anyone's for that matter) and the reason for that is the tape that you are staring at while playing. My suggestion is that you practice the same thing with your eyes closed and listen real hard and focus on intonation. I am fairly certain you will remove the tape soon after. :)

That being said, I enjoyed your recording and look forward to hearing much more from you.

You get a badge for the video and critique request. :)

"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
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October 13, 2018 - 9:51 am
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You're doing really well so far, and everyone has given you really good advice so far. I think the only thing I can add, is what might help you with your bow arm is to practice with that arm up against a wall. Back up to it so that the top half of your arm is touching the wall, and then focus on bowing from your elbow. Naturally the closer you get to the frog, you will have to move your arm away from the wall, but try to keep it there as long as possible :)  

Katy here gives lots of good tips that I think might help you (including practicing against a wall) 

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TheRedOne
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October 14, 2018 - 1:52 am
Member Since: September 30, 2018
Forum Posts: 9
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Thanks so much for your encouraging and helpful critiquing, everyone!

@Mark and @--Jim-- Dunleavy, yes, I have noticed I can be quite stiff generally, which (I’m guessing) is the reason why I have had neck troubles after long periods of practice. @Fiddlerman, thank you so much for taking the time to review my playing and give me my first badge! I will work on removing the tapes, the first one is already gone and I’m trying to strengthen what I call my “finger memory”. @damfino, the tips are much appreciated! It’s really nice to have a way to practice what I need to change in my playing. I’ve been looking for these kinds of excersises on YouTube, so this is really helpful. I’m just about to watch the video you recommended, just wanted to write this post first! Maybe I’ll get back to you once I’ve watched it and share what I learnt. 

~ Jemima

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BillyG
Brora, North-east Scotland
October 14, 2018 - 2:57 am
Member Since: March 22, 2014
Forum Posts: 3744
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Just catching up on things here!

A belated welcome to the forum @TheRedOne - you're doing well there !   Indeed, bow control is half-the-battle ( probably more than half :) ) - and you've had great tips from those who commented above, no need to repeat !

Keep at it, and if/when you are experiencing stiffness or pain from playing, stop, take it slow and closely analyze why.....   It will all eventually become effortless!

Enjoy your fiddle-journey and the forum :)

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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Georganne
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October 14, 2018 - 2:57 pm
Member Since: August 28, 2013
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Good job.  It's a difficult song to play fast.  Yep, work on loosening your wrist up a bit and it will be easier.  

 

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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TheRedOne
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October 16, 2018 - 4:01 am
Member Since: September 30, 2018
Forum Posts: 9
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@damfino, thanks yet again for the very helpful video! All the tips Katy gave were really practical and easy to do. I will be using them!

thanx_gif

And also thankyou to @Georganne and @BillyG for the really encouraging comments... Much appreciated!

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damfino
my own little world
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October 16, 2018 - 9:38 am
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Awesome, I'm glad it's helping you with your practice :D  

Also, since you said you know you tense up when you play, my teacher told me when I first started playing, to stop whatever I was practicing, and drop my hands to my sides and just shake it out, arms, hands, whatever was tensing up to loosen myself back up. It did help me learn to play more relaxed, because it taught me to be aware of how my body was reacting while I was playing.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
October 16, 2018 - 1:04 pm
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Stop and shake it out is a great tip. :)

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

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mookje
The Netherlands
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October 18, 2018 - 9:50 am
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Welcome to this forum ? Thanks for sharing your video, all tips are already written above so I’m not going repeat. Wish you lots of fun with the fiddle ?

 Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about dancing in the rain!!

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