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What about Fiddle/Violin, Viola & Cello Cover Versions of SONGS? 😲
I've seen 'SONGS' described as a "subset of music" (sorry, can't remember where).
It is strange that I'll consider the structure of 'fiddle' tunes when learning (and many fiddle tunes DO have lyrics) - but not think much about how different the SONG 'forms' can be, even though I LOVE to play-along with all sorts of SONGS.
"Every Type of Song Structure EXPLAINED" (David Bennett)! Wow... knew some of this, but MUCH I didn't know - helped me get a better grasp of a 'bridge', 'vamp', a 'refrain vs chorus', etc... even cleared up stuff I was wondering about Show Tunes!
...jeez, this is another video I better watch a 2nd time 🙄 - some interesting info in the YT comments, too.
SONGS can have very catchy lyrics that make it easier to remember the music - maybe why I don't usually think about their structure... but if I did start, it might help me see possiblities for a more creative approach when doing a cover.
Love to hear thoughts/views, tips & suggestions for playing covers of SONGS!
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Okay, these ARE SONGS I'm playing... thinking about how singing can enter into any cover - singing WHILE playing the fiddle! 😱
...maybe only a few words - still not easy. 😳 Found some tips, though.
Can You Sing While Playing The Violin? (cmuse)
How To Sing While Playing an Instrument (6 Actionable Tips)
Nicole Warner Notes: Several years ago I paired up with violinist and orchestra teacher Katie Gustafson to write several articles for String Notes, published by the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association (MNSOTA), which is the local chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). We had a great time exploring the commonalities between playing the violin and singing. Please enjoy this three-part series.
Expression in Violin and Singing - Part 1: Body Awareness
Expression in Violin and Singing - Part 2: Breathe Your Way Out of Your Lizard Brain
Expression in Violin and Singing - Part 3: Making Your Violin Sing
...like to try to keep ALL my cards on the table, but idk about this extra thing to coordinate. I'm used to playing softly, but how do you sing over a LOUD fiddle? 🥴
I just HAD to throw this in for Classical music players. 🤭
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I do watch & listen to many songs & covers by other folk.
Couple things I've been looking at...
- songs with what seems like 'improvised' instrumental parts, but recorded and played LIVE the same - so not 'technically' improvised, but planned
- covers that are heavily improvised (how much is too much?)
When I play along with song videos, it's because I've learned the melody & maybe the intro, but I don't usually try to go note-to-note with spots that feel like they were improvised. Been asking myself 'why'? It's not that I can't learn it, or come up with something close... and it's not like learning iconic rock guitar riffs.
I think it's because I fall in love with a melody, feel the mood of the song - but maybe improvisation should be coming from what I feel about it, not me copying theirs?
Also, there's a difference between playing some filler and making something 'happen' in what I add inbetween verse & chorus parts. I want to start focusing (beforehand) to have some 'purpose' for any of my improv.
Read some discussions at thesession.org (talking about 'lift' and 'breath') & thought about things in the Tension.... and Release Thread - but felt a little stuck, so wanted to try a different perspective. Maybe a little backwards, but decided to look at what things might be added for better transitions between parts in DAW production - THEN try similar in my playing.
...jeez, I'm still learning with the help of someone else using DAW, but not actually opening it up in my own laptop? 😔 ...feelin' the pressure! 😬
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There's been a few things buggin' me about certain 'songs'... and I think it's why I wanted to start learning about chords, chord progressions, harmony & backing tracks, a couple years ago.
I grew up with 'SONGS' - rock, pop, motown sound, and Christmas Carols! I also listened to some Classical and heard a little dance music, but it was MOSTLY SONGS that were on the charts at the time. Later, I leaned more toward 'new age' & 'world music', but still - MOSTLY SONGS!
...I had it stuck in my head that the lead singer
'SINGS the MELODY'!
BUT, I didn't understand why I could sing along with a song on the radio & feel great, but when I'd try to sing those certain songs without any recording (maybe walking to school, or doing chores around the house) - it did NOT sound right, like I'd lost the 'essence' of the song.
All these years later, I started to learn to play the fiddle... noticed the SAME THING when I tried to play certain songs I liked (by ear)! When I realized I was hearing (and trying to play) just repetition of a few notes with small intervals - how boring! I ended up blaming the current trends, thinking popular music had sunk pretty low - only caring about 'the beats'.
...so, WHY did I even like some of these songs to begin with?
It's because the main vocal - the lead 'singer',
was NOT SINGING THE MELODY!
...or only a small part of it!
Learning by ear, it was (and still is) hard for me to hear exactly when/how a song's melody can be hidden/interwoven in it's accompaniment & harmony - my ears can fight me (NOT ONLY about melody), and there's usually NO notation. So, I'm not surprised when revisiting a song to work on my fiddle & I hear something different.
I don't want to need a backing track (or beat). So, I'm still reassessing what I'd want to hear from my fiddle-playing if I was out in the middle of nowhere, sitting around a campfire, or maybe in outerspace. 🤭
Btw, I have shared (in other threads here on the forum) some very creative, well arranged, violin covers - by very talented fiddlers & violinists on YT, as I come across them!
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I've mentioned I run across quite a few songs I like with a whole bunch of 1 or 2 note runs (drives me crazy when I see it notated). The 'One Note' video (prev post) reminded me even the Beatles did it a few times! But I can't consider a Treble line with 1-2 notes a melody if all the melodic action is really taking place in the Bassline!
Piano sheet music can help me spot melody hiding in the bassline, but won't tell me what one singer does with their voice that's different from another singer, AND it won't tell me what types of vocal layers & effects I'm hearing in a recording... I have to hear them.
Should mention I'm not interested in making a 'copy' of the songs I love, but I do eventually want to share on the fiddle why I'm attracted to a song. My bow needs to be my No. 1 tool for expression, but I also have portable effects available with my mini spark. I'm still not to where I want to use what DAW has to offer, yet - just want to consider 'improvise' vs 'arrange'.
Lana Del Rey's "Blue Jeans" is an example (not as bad as some) of what I've been talking about in the last couple posts. Luckily I have a solo piano arrangement, and also violin sheet music (both scrolling) to compare. When I heard her sing I had no idea something was going on until I started to play along (way before ever looking for notation).
'Blue Jeans' - Lana Del Rey. I hear notes in her singing that aren't notated, but I'll have to study this a bit more to see just what might be like the 'illusion' Rick Beato talked about in his video.
Violin Play-along Sheet Music, 'Blue Jeans' (EasyViolinLesson) - I really do NOT want to hear this version on my fiddle. ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd😖
'Blue Jeans', Piano Solo Play-along (Little Sheet Music) - some stuff I can work with here, but think I probably need to notate my own version for 6-string Violin.
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