Things have a strange way of working out.

I haven't been idle - been learning!  The Fiddle Hell workshop with Jordan Hamilton (he's a very creative cellist) got me thinking differently about how I want to approach looping, helped me realize what I need in my playing 'toolbox' and I've been actively adding to it. 

I've also been learning how to use my gear.  I do still need to go over how to use my Positive Grid "Control", there's 4 switches controlled via bluetooth (I have some amp presets to put on), but I 'think' it can also control tracks, so worth considering & having ready. 

I've had plenty of concerns & challenges to work around: 

1. the logistics of me working with too much gear on, and around, my bed so my legs are up & I'm somewhat comfortable - can't completely pen myself in!
2. learning what each piece of my gear is meant for, the relationship/order & HOW to use everything 
3. my lack of computer & DAW knowledge
4. my musical/playing limitations
5. still wrapping my head around using a low F string/no E string anymore. 
6. my lack of practice playing just rhythms, while combining different bowing textures & dynamics 
7. my lack of practice playing at least simple chord progressions in my favorite keys/modes - or what works best now with my current tuning 
8. NOT ready to improv everything - still need to play a tune I know
9. what the heck do I REALLY want to get out of all this???? 

I do want to be creative, but I HATE restrictions!!!  I'm not even keen on playing with a click track!  If I'm not playing with another human, why can't I play in a 'CROOKED' tune way?  I don't want to be stuck on a repeating metronome beat & I certainly don't want to be consumed with an exact, or constant, ANYTHING! 

Most people who use loopers ARE consumed with exact counting & exact timing - constantly counting & making sure the button is hit at the EXACT/CORRECT MOMENT to add another layer!  ARRRGH!  A beat is laid down, that's constant, with another layer of a few chords or a riff... a constant, stiff structure/framework, over which I'm supposed to be able to play a tune in my care-free manner?  I DON'T THINK SO! 

So, what am I doing with my 'restrictions'?  

Well, luckily I ended up with a good looper (Ditto+) for my needs.  I just found out it happens to have some great features, that are NOT in the instructions!  Seems I don't have to stress about hitting the switch at an exact moment (there's a way to let it sync!) & there's some buttons that MUST BE ACCESSED BY HAND (easier for me than someone standing!), e.g., VERY COOL 'extended' looping (for different LENGTHS of loops), loop volume control & switching to access other loops or downloaded tracks!  There's also an undo/redo of the last recorded track that isn't lost if the pedal is turned off!

I still need more practice just pushing a sequence on the looper pedal - because it's completely foreign for me to do something else with my hands while playing!  ...and I thought switching to pizzacato was difficult!!!

Every effect that comes BEFORE my looper can be saved on it (my Octave pedal has extra effects, too)!  Extra time to work & being able to add a long loop over a short one MAY LET ME THINK BACKWARDS!   If I feel I can start by jamming against myself, instead of to a beat, think I'd be happier - but it may seem more like post editing, idk.  🤔... there's still a good chance I'll have to do all this in a reverse order - the Ditto+ may not work out right with a short loop over a long one, but I'd like to start by trying these:

1. play some tune I like, however imperfect or quirky I feel, spontaneously (no counting) - loop it
2. play the same tune over it, but with my new Octave pedal effects 
3. maybe play it a third time (3 better than 1?)
4. then try playing a rhythm, but I need to make sure I can vary the the texture & dynamics of it
5. try a riff with LOTS OF SPACE, so I feel more can be added & not crowded
6. switch to start new loop playing part of the melody with a different effect on my Octave pedal 
7. bring back the old loops
8. 'bypass' the looper and Octave pedal - continue or end playing with a different amp preset, if I'm recording on my phone. 

Realistically thinking, I have a few more days of practicing ahead of me... but I'm not trying to be perfect, by no means!  At least I have a plan now & still need to feel somewhat prepared, or I'll just throw my hands up in the air & scream. 

FEELING GOOD ABOUT THIS!!!!  🤗

Ah, looks like I've finally got a quiet house (just temporary), so FINALLY got time to experiment more with my pedals!  I should have more time this weekend, before the house gets back to crazy.  Geez, it's been a month & a half since I've touched them, barely had any time to practice at all (and I'm still focused on both pinkies, bowing pressure/attack & intonation) - either no energy, no quiet, or no motivation.  At least it's better to help get things in order now, don't want to just dump all our stuff on our daughter after we croak... still a daunting task, even with all the help we are getting.

I've mentioned, many times, that I never use a metronome 😣 but I've changed my mind because of our recent discussions about gaining speed on tunes.  Thought I had good speed on the The Humours of Tuaimgréine (no, I haven't recorded it yet) - hadn't even thought about BPM.  So, 140 BPM fits the video - found I still needed to tighten it up a little & by playing to the metronome, it actually helped!  🤗

Metronome is still a distraction for me when I'm learning something new, or fixing things, but I'll be using it more, from now on.  I can't count on being able to play along with a video anymore, don't always want to play in the same key with the way my violin is tuned.

Think I should put a plug in for Rondo strings at this point - these strings have been crazy steady, kinda scary how well they stay in tune... and I've been playing HARD on them, even though I'm not practicing as long each day as I used to.  Super glad Fiddlershop started carrying them! 

Okay, I'm outta here!

@SharonC -

Hey THANX, Sharon! 

Perfect at 140 BPM & sounds SO MUCH NICER than the YT digitized versions! 

So, I mentioned (not too long ago in the Syncopation Thread) that I had started learning to play "The Smokey Lum" & "Maggie's Pancakes" from the Tannahill Weavers. 

I LOVE these tunes, but STILL trying to get up to HALF speed!  Sorry, not going to share a recording until I get sounding good at that speed.

To begin with, I thought it was pretty cool I can play it lower - using an Ab on my Low F violin string, a Bb & C on the A string (my highest violin string) for "The Smokey Lum", so it's a tune for ALL 5 of my strings! 

I don't usually bother too much with the notation, but since I'm only playing it an octave lower than the video, I took a look at versions of The Smokey Lum at The Session (there's 2) - neither one is in the correct key. 

What I mean by 'correct key' - this is a Stuart Morison tune, he was a fiddler with the Tannahill Weavers & I can't find where Stuart has recorded it in any different key, other than the videos with Tannahill (Stuart actually left a comment that is kinda vague, probably not caring what key people use).  I don't usually care what key a tune is in, but people in the notation discussion were pretty emphatic it's in Bmin.  I'm playing 'Cmin', it starts on Eb with phrases ending in 'C'.  I triple checked to see if I was screwing up, but really don't think so - this tune is in 'C' Minor! 

I haven't exactly felt 'qualified' to put my '2 cents' in at 'The Session', yet - this might be my first - may seem silly, but facts are facts.

Of course there's ALWAYS the possibility that I'm mistaken... 🤫🤭

I'd REALLY appreciate opinions on

what scale YOU ALL HEAR(?)

"The Smokey Lum" is played in the video! 

...might want slow the video down to hear it better. 

@ABitRusty -

Thanks for thinking about it! 

I play exactly what I hear in the video (which I believe is C minor), so 'if' the music was being played tuned down a HALF step in the video, for me to be able to hear Eb & the phrases end in 'C' - the standard notation would show a half step higher, a key of C# Minor.  Or, if the video is actually being played a WHOLE step tuned down, the key notated would be C Mixolydian (for me to hear 'C' & 'Eb').  Either way, NOT Bmin.

...boy, you made me THINK about that one!  

I'm like you - wouldn't be able to tell without playing along with the video.  ...and didn't think about about what I was playing until today, when I looked at The Session notation & discussion. 

What's worse - to figure out what notes I'm playing I had to 1st remind myself my 'E' string is really an 'A' string, my 'A' string is really the 'D' string, etc...  Then, I had to at least check to make sure I was really playing Eb's, C's, because I haven't used any tuner for ages now.  I didn't need to check more than those 2 notes - was enough to tell me it is NOT the B Minor scale. 

Half the time I wonder if my violin is really in tune, so I like to make sure my ears aren't foolin' me. 🥴 

...been a lot of loud microtones emanating from elated, sometimes angry, grandkids lately - could be messing me up!

@ABitRusty -

Think I edited my last post, or fooled around with it, while you replied! 

The phrases of the 1st version at The Session end in 'B' - makes more sense to be B Dorian, than A Major - it still sounds like the tune, but if you line up the sound of this with the Tannahill video sound, it's 😖!

I think what Stuart said ("You’ve pretty much got the notes right") was up for interpretation, like 'yeah, you got the gist of the tune'.  

 Btw, I'm NOT saying it can't be played in Bmin - or in any other minor key/minor mode. 

You probably won't be able to see what I'm talking about unless you try to play what's on the video - please don't bother to go to that trouble.  This isn't a big deal, I'm going to keep playing what I have been, anyway - just debating about saying something at The Session.