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I've been trying to pick up on specific bowing patterns such as for a jig or reel, I can force through it but it never sounds good. Does anyone have some exercises or tips for helping set the proper rhythm without having to focus entirely on the bowing?
Regulars
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Break it down into pieces. Learn the fingering with separate bows, then introduce the different bowings. If one part is giving you trouble, repeat that bar(s) until it feels good to you. Learn it all slowly before you try to give it any speed.
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Regulars
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The other thing you can (and should) do is practice the bowing patterns separately on open strings, so that you aren't distracted by all the work the left hand has to do. Play on the strings you would be using if you were fingering, including the string crossings. Afterward, it is just a matter of adding in the fingerings.
This is basically the same as how pianists often practice each hand separately before putting them together.
Regulars
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Yeah the open string suggestion is also what I was told to do. Also think Wa-ter-mel-on for reels emphasis on that 1st beat and its generally down but depends on whats going on.
Pine-ap-ple Pine-ap-ple for jigs. Beats 1 and 4 (the P in pineapple) are long bows compared to 2,3,5,6
Subtitute your favorite words that match the beats i guess. Generally the 1st beat is down the 4th up but slurs and other factors come into play. Put on a slow version of a tune thats a reel and jig to practice to or a metronome. I was also told rythym is king since all this is dance music. Dancers wont catch a sour note too often but if the rythym is all wacko itll be noticed. Again..told this stuff not lots of experience talking here. Hope im not steering you wrong..someone correct if I am.
Regulars
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In addition..Id seen it but had to look for it..on youtube there is a channel called LP free drum loop. They have a 50bpm bodrhan reel and jig loop. Say the words to the beats and bow as a practice. Ive no idea who the channel belongs too but its something free out there to use if you need and like it. And plugging another book here but its good..you may already know about it.. melbay has Peter Coopers complete irish fiddler. It has mp3 files you can download for free from mel bays website if you order the book without cd. Pretty much a standard textbook of sorts on irish fiddling. The tune mp3 files really let you hear in a slow version those bowings and ornaments. It gets pretty deep but worth the money.
Greg
Regulars
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This might be of interest.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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As Damfino wrote, break it down.
Concentrate on the rhythm, then concentrate on the bowing, then begin putting it all together.
Also, start slowly and build the speed up over time.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thank you, I have tried the open string method and it works great until I put my left hand in the mix.... I will look up the YouTube video...the sheet music looks promising Mark! I'll mess around a little and see if something works. Thanks!
Regulars
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I don't know where you are in your fiddle playing so this may way elementary to what you were asking, just putting this up so you can play along. If it doesn't help no big deal. I'm working on this one and recorded my practice and screen shot the A part. Like I said its not great but I found it helps to hear and this is what I was describing. take it with a grain of salt.
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