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My sheet music for Ode To Joy in bar 12 has the notes as D (slur) D1(E), A (open or D4), D2(F), D1(E) (slur to E in next bar).
When played like it's scored it doesn't sound like it should because the A should be lower in tone than the D-E. I watched more than a few videos and everyone plays it lower in tone than an open A string/D4.
I looked around for different sheet music but they all seemed to have the same notation - open A/D4. Which got me wondering if everyone plays it wrong.
Then I found a play-along tutorial which has the score on the screen and highlighting the notes as they're being played PLUS the video is a closeup of the fingering from the offside of the violin. Bingo! The A is actually on G1.
6 months ago I wouldn't have known that the score as written is wrong. Nor would I have known how to find/play the correct octave for the note. (I'd already done that by the time I found the play-along video. It just verified what I'd already figured out.)
I guess that means I'm learning, right?
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Good catch! And yes, you're learning! (As are we all).
The old curmudgeon!
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when I learned this it starts on b.b, then c, d,d,c,b,a,g,g,a,b,b,aa, bb,cdd,bc,agg,a,b,a,gg etc, depending on which key its being played in this is the correct sequence.
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@stringy
My score is in D major. Other than the A on G1 everything is on the D string. Playing the A is easy if I bridge the G and D strings when playing D1. After learning and playing Inisheer and A Time For Us, that's incredibly simple.
I need to practice it some more, I'm having intermittent issues with the slurs at the ends of lines 1 and 2, but I was able to play it through (poorly I confess) after about 10 minutes. That includes sorting out the correct note for the A.
For what it's worth, there's a tutorial out there which "sounds correct" but you can see that she's playing the piece on the A string. In the video there's a very clear shot of the A string vibrating as she plays. Which means she has "adjusted" the music track in the video down an octave to match what everyone plays and expects to hear. Not cool in my opinion.
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It’s done exactly as I posted, ask fiddlerman, or Andrewh, what they think.
If I get time when I get in from work tonight I will record it and post it here, it is played on the A string, every version I have ever seen is anyway. I just took a look at the sheet music that you can buy and it’s the same on that as well, though it is possible to play any tune in any key, this is the one it’s normally played in.
Ode to joy can be played in many different ways, I have recently been playing it in double stops which is a great way to improve intonation, good luck with it, brilliant beginner tune, as I say if I get time tonight I will post it on here.
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The original is in D, so the first note is F#, and you can play the whole thing on the D string if you want. (OK, if you play enough of it, you'll eventually need the A on the G string)
Andrew
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Gordon Shumway said
The original is in D, so the first note is F#, and you can play the whole thing on the D string if you want. (OK, if you play enough of it, you'll eventually need the A on the G string)
Must admit I have never heard it played in d minor on violin. Then again I have never really been into classical that much before I started learning fiddle. So you learn something new every day.
maybe you could give us a rendition? Help RDP out were he says he is struggling.
I am going to post one later if I get time, be good to hear how the keys sound different, I may have to learn it in D.
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stringy said
Gordon Shumway said
The original is in D, so the first note is F#, and you can play the whole thing on the D string if you want. (OK, if you play enough of it, you'll eventually need the A on the G string)
Must admit I have never heard it played in d minor on violin. Then again I have never really been into classical that much before I started learning fiddle. So you learn something new every day.
maybe you could give us a rendition? Help RDP out were he says he is struggling.
I am going to post one later if I get time, be good to hear how the keys sound different, I may have to learn it in D.
I should have it down enough to record in a few days (assuming my shoulder doesn't get any worse - getting old seems to be more painful than my parents warned me about) and I'll post it. My problem with the slurs is that the piece is new and I have to get my head around the 3 different note sequences. When I get that down reliably, I'll post it.
Maybe we could do a "Roll over (in your grave) Beethoven" party with it and play all the different versions/keys.
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@RDP
I think this is the version you’re playing (starting on D). This is a good video, because he has a slower version further into the video that you can practice with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....Pp1Tto44Mk
When I first took up violin, I started with the ABCs of Violin – When I did Ode to Joy from that book, it starts on C# on A string:
Just different versions out there.
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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This was my source
Andrew
Verified human - the ignominy!
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RDP said
...When played like it's scored it doesn't sound like it should because the A should be lower in tone than the D-E. I watched more than a few videos and everyone plays it lower in tone than an open A string/D4.
I looked around for different sheet music but they all seemed to have the same notation - open A/D4. Which got me wondering if everyone plays it wrong.
Wouldn't call it wrong--just a variation. Depending on learning method, going to an open A can be easier than reaching over to the G string, which a beginning student may not have been working with yet.
Here's a copy of Fiddlerman's - he has the same variation.
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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Sharon, I seem to remember you doing a blinding version on here? Can’t remember If it was a party or not, it was on leccy fiddle though as I remember, or have I got it wrong.
RDP the roll over Beethoven idea is great, I laughed out loud, I am going to do one and change it about, My own variation, I may become famous,You have inspired me, improv Beethoven, see what sound I like best, what do you think?
By the way if your shoulder is anything like my back you have my sympathy, I slipped two different discs last year lifting weights, I am now scared of bending down in case they go again, never had pain like it in my life.
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stringy said
Sharon, I seem to remember you doing a blinding version on here? Can’t remember If it was a party or not, it was on leccy fiddle though as I remember, or have I got it wrong.RDP the roll over Beethoven idea is great, I laughed out loud, I am going to do one and change it about, My own variation, I may become famous,You have inspired me, improv Beethoven, see what sound I like best, what do you think?
By the way if your shoulder is anything like my back you have my sympathy, I slipped two different discs last year lifting weights, I am now scared of bending down in case they go again, never had pain like it in my life.
Improv Beethoven sounds like a good idea. I can play something as best I can and claim it's my very own variation and no one will know that's it's just the regular version played horribly. 
My left shoulder/rotator cuff is shot and occasionally I irritate it. Right now it's not responding to homeopathic treatment and hurts like the dickens all along my collar bone. I might have to go get a Cortizone shot for it. No fun since I'm slightly allergic to them.
My sympathies for your back. I can relate.
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I am going to do one in G, and then do it again right after, with a few alterations of my own thrown in, see how it turns out, keep me busy for an hour which will please the missus.
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stringy said
Sharon, I seem to remember you doing a blinding version on here? Can’t remember If it was a party or not, it was on leccy fiddle though as I remember, or have I got it wrong.RDP the roll over Beethoven idea is great, I laughed out loud, I am going to do one and change it about, My own variation, I may become famous,You have inspired me, improv Beethoven, see what sound I like best, what do you think?
By the way if your shoulder is anything like my back you have my sympathy, I slipped two different discs last year lifting weights, I am now scared of bending down in case they go again, never had pain like it in my life.
@stringy Not sure what version you mean?
I know about the back discs thing--had a couple surgeries as a result, 2nd was a spinal fusion. I remember getting jolts of pain where I would just see white - bad stuff, for sure. I would tell anyone, take care of your back, lift with your knees, ....
@RDP I've had problems with shoulders, too (just hurt myself again last week), but luckily not the rotator cup--sorry about that. Not easy to deal with, & tough to heal.
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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Interesting thing happened today. I recorded Ode to Joy as found in Hal Leonard's Essential Elements - Viola, in three variations, as printed in D major, which has the high A alluded to in previous posts, then with the low A, and then down a fifth to G major. Also included my attempt from a year ago (after a weeks learning).
Got a copyright infringement which I have contested.
Watch while you can, for as long as you can tolerate! lol
The old curmudgeon!
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Thats excellent John, it sounds best in G in my opinion, very beautiful, your intonation is very, very good, as is your sound and tone, I think your bowing is smoother and better than mine, I know You wont be happy with this recording, no matter what I say, as I can tell you are a perfectionist as am I, but thats what makes You better, and drives you on. I would say, you are a natural, but as you know thats not true, its hard work and hard practice and listening, to all the wrong notes, not the right ones, that make the difference, I love the sound You are now getting from Your instrument, I didnt at first, I will be honest, but its not a good thing to discourage anyone from learning the fiddle or viola, by telling them its not great, its hard enough getting a tune out of these things at all, you are now a musician, very very well done on this i am impressed, seriously, tell You something else You look younger now than You did a year ago, and that is the truth as well. pleasure to listen to.
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@JohnG -
Loved your whole video - with ALL the variations! 🤗
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@stringy - What can I say to such accolades? Thank you, especially since I look to you for fiddling pointers and just what can be done. I can only hope to aspire to the kind of playing that you do!
@ELCBK - Thank you, Emily. Your opinion means a lot to me with your very wide knowledge and willingness to share that with all of us.
In reference to the copyright dispute, it is alleged that in reference to Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee that this video uses this song's melody. Content found during 1:17 - 2:11.
Copyright owners are Hexacorp (music publishing), Concord Music Publishing, Polaris Hub AB, Warner Chappell, Integrity Music Publishing.
The old curmudgeon!
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