Yup, thanks @Jim Dunleavy - the critique vids ( not that this one was ) can be cruel and kind at the same time - even with the best intentions of the reviewer, comments can be misunderstood. (That was just a general comment, I did not mean that YOUR comments were cruel or misunderstood - just referring things I've seen before)

So, I do appreciate your comment.  Thank you ! 

Right.  What do I learn from this?  OK.   There is SO MUCH going on in the subconscious to "bring it all together" - if I play slowly (relatively) and carefully, yup, I nail the notes ( or, if I don't, (and NOBODY is ever 100% pitch-perfect of course - it doesn't happen, well, maybe rarely ) I'm aware, and "bring it in" - quickly enough - and it is not noticed - or - if my correction is a bit tardy, it maybe sounds like an "intentional slide or partial vibrato" ( LMAO - aye, "intentional", sure, that'll be right - LOL )

Right now, that piece is hard for me on my bowing to "fit the rhythm I feel" into it, and, for me, is relatively fast in places.  If I am "consciously thinking about anything" in that recording, when I look back on it, yep - I was super-aware of the timing, the rhythm, etc of the bowing, trying (desperately) to bring the "feel" ( which ALWAYS drives me ) of the tune into the performance - and in these takes - yup - fingering was definitely on auto-pilot...   particularly the first take - 

And that's an exercise I do use regularly - just to play scales with eyes closed ( or just looking away if I feel I am about to fall over ) - it is a really telling exercise, not only for fingering but also for the "wandering bow"

Not "everything" is yet on auto-pilot.... come the day - come the day....  YEAH !

Thanks for the feedback Jim, it is appreciated

Cheers

BillyG

Fiddlestix said

It's perfectly "OK" to look at our fingers when playing by ear.That's why we have eyes.............

LOL, that's true!  I probably do it more for the "wandering bow" which used to take-off at all angles - it is finally getting under control !

How about slowing it down and gradually gain speed. I for one am guilty of wanting to play full throttle when learning a song. 

Same here, in fact I do that - whatever tempo that ended up as is probably pretty close to the timing of the backing track on Old Time Jam machine, although I did work my way up to it (tempo wise)

Way to go Billy, but what's that little ending, sounds like the finale of, "William Tell Overture".I don't think that's part of the song. No matter.

Hahahah - I just felt a special-to-Bill ending was required, with couple of double stops fitted in there - I'll have to listen again before I post this....    Uh-huh - I get what you're saying !    Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, that's quite strange!  

What endless pleasure, not to mention laughs, I get from this instrument !

Thanks Ken !

Yup, thanks Barry - I won't go into the detail - it's in my post in the other place!  But absolutely, and I'll post a link here again for anyone interested in that type of fiddling - http://www.oldtimejam.com

You will not be disappointed...