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I have been messing around with The Theme from Schindler's List. Yes I have desecrated another beautiful piece of music! It sure is fun though! I know where my fingers are supposed to go, just can't get them there, getting closer though. Feel free to offer advice and criticism, constructive of course…lol Thanks for taking the time to have a look and share your thoughts.
Dave
You might find this interesting. Go to Fiddlerman BEGNNER videos, TWO OCTAVE C MAJOR and scoot on out to 4:53 on the time.
Watch Fiddlerman's left hand/finger position.
Compare to your left hand positioning.
I won't pontificate but he will enjoy the better intonation with his style.
All you have to do is change your left hand posture and practice that for 20 years !
(Just kiddin')
May the force be with you !
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Hi Oliver,
I watched the tutorial. The piece I was playing was Bb. I have been working to get it right, not too much luck. Still struggling. I am hoping time will help. It is getting to where I can recognize some notes by ear. I can tell when they are not right, and I adjust my fingers to correct it when I practice. But when I make a video and hit the wrong pitch, I just keep going. That doesn't mean I never practice that song again, I keep working to perfect it. So far I have not perfected any songs...lol I really should do more scale work. Ok, new rule...(for me) Work on the scale for the key you will be working in. Hmm, I think a famous guy said that in the tutorial. Thank you for your input. I know it's not easy, if it is easy, there is something wrong...lol
Dave
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When you learn vibrato it's going to be a whole different ballgame with a piece like that.
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I couldn't remember how the song goes so just hopped over to Youtube. Lots of violinists playing that song to check out. I feel like I'm too much of a beginner to offer any good advice but it did sound a little rushed. Keep it up and don't forget about the basics, scales and finger pattern exercises.
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Well done, Dave. That was really enjoyable. You know, mistakes aside that violin has a really wonderful sound.
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I was thinking Dave... Do you practice sitting down at all? I think that may help you relax. Make sure you work on your posture and breath from you belly. Nice slow breathing techniques help a lot on relaxing that will help you with the timing and groove of the songs. Yah, look at me...I offered very little in timing (getting the feel for the music) I was too focused on correct technique and Fiddlerman n Robyn too caught that right away. We're all going to play a bit different than anyone else and that's ok. Looking forward to hearing more of you!
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Oliver said:
No pain, no gain or is that for weight lifters ?
I am a weight putter downer! Lifting is too much like work!
Dave
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SaraO said:
Well done, Dave. That was really enjoyable. You know, mistakes aside that violin has a really wonderful sound.
Thank you Sara.
Probably the main reason I bought it. You should hear how it sounds when someone who knows what they are doing plays it!
Dave
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myguitarnow said:
I was thinking Dave... Do you practice sitting down at all? I think that may help you relax. Make sure you work on your posture and breath from you belly. Nice slow breathing techniques help a lot on relaxing that will help you with the timing and groove of the songs. Yah, look at me...I offered very little in timing (getting the feel for the music) I was too focused on correct technique and Fiddlerman n Robyn too caught that right away. We're all going to play a bit different than anyone else and that's ok. Looking forward to hearing more of you!
I get into a bit of a tricky part and I rush through it. I noticed the tempo problems, even as I was playing. I can play sitting down, just don't like to sit. Bad dog!
Dave
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Here's another pithy saying for you:
No pressure, no diamonds.
I'm packing up to go and get online where the air is sweeter (for wifi), so I can download your videos, and upload a heap of mine.
Yes, you can all laugh at me ... again. I look forward to it.
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
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That's not an easy piece, Dave! Kudos to you for even making an attempt so early in your studies 
I agree with the others about tempo and the great sound of your fiddle.
Keep pounding that sand!
Mary in Springfield, Oregon http://www.thefiddleandbanjopr.....dpress.com
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Great job Dave,
First of all I would like to see you to play the pick up with an up bow. It will put the emphasis on the beat and make more sense with the bowing. It will also give you a natural crescendo leading to the downbeat. Play the opposite bowing the first 4 bars and a re-take to get you back on track as you did at that point anyway.
The one note for the day is the Bb on the 2nd full measure. It sounds more like a B natural to me.
Thanks for posting.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Fiddlerman said:
Great job Dave,
First of all I would like to see you to play the pick up with an up bow. It will put the emphasis on the beat and make more sense with the bowing. It will also give you a natural crescendo leading to the downbeat. Play the opposite bowing the first 4 bars and a re-take to get you back on track as you did at that point anyway.
The one note for the day is the Bb on the 2nd full measure. It sounds more like a B natural to me.
Thanks for posting.
Hmm, funny story: I have no idea what a pick up is. The first note of the piece was underlined. Being below the staff I thought it was part of the staff, but it is underlined. I guess "play with emphasis"? (which I did not do) The bowing for this piece is actually supposed to be 4 1/8 notes played in a slur.(which I did not do) I am setting this piece aside, going back to basics. I really like this song and I will play it well someday! I need to work on accuracy, intonation. I am going to slow down a bit, play some simpler songs, etudes (did I spell that right?). I will post these as well. I think I am trying too much too fast. It is so much fun though. When you do hit a phrase and get it right....Man!
Just had some coffee....Sleepy cobwebs are dissolving. Pick up is the first note? You are right, it makes perfect sense, play it with up bow, then the first group of 1/8 notes A D A D slurred on a down bow. I can start with the slurring, but bow management becomes a problem. Yes it is supposed to be Bb, I do need to play more scales. Need to get my fingers to go where they are supposed to go.
I don't know what it is about this piece that really moves me. It may be the subject matter of the movie/book. It does not seem like a typical movie score piece. Seems like it was written in the '30's. Seems authentic to the period. I don't know how you feel about John Williams, personally, I think the man knows his audience.
Thanks for having a look and listen. I was just thinking...
It must be a trip for you to spend 30 plus years learning an instrument, perfecting your craft. Becoming an artist. Then sit and listen to someone like me, sawing away on a violin. I would love to see a video of you watching a video of me.
Don't get me wrong, without you here...I would be lost. I know how valuable your time is, and I am VERY grateful you spend the amount of time you do teaching all of us, answering questions, and watching our progress, and offering constructive help. Not to mention keeping the site running, trying out new chat software, creating learning tools, and videos..The list goes on and on.
Thank you for all you do!
Dave
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Dave,
You all make my life interesting. I love it. If you had a video of me watching you play you would see me with a big smile. Keep up the good work.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Yes Dave you are right. Sitting thousands of miles away, yet as a loving and caring father he spends his precious time watching our progress("sawing away on a violin"). Glad I joined this forum.
If music be the food of love, play on;
Give me excess of it ..(William Shakespeare in Twelfth Night)
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Yep, sawing away. In case anyone is interested the program for tonight can be seen here
Great music but very complicated. Not the best concert for the first time visitor.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I'll watch the concert. I think Sweden is nine hours ahead of me so the concert must be starting pretty soon. Wish I could could read the language though. I only speak English and some Spanish. I think you meant the program guide Fiddlerman? I was thinking you meant it would be an internet or satellite broadcast.
And Dave you are having fun and doing well so keep it up and you said a lot of positive things in your last post. I keep wanting to just find songs that I like too, to play and it's frustrating to stay on the basics of learning an instrument including bow positions, hand positions, scales, etudes, intonation, timing, theory, styles and all of that. The more you do all of that though the rest gets easy...I learned the hard way with the guitar. I wore out a lot of cassette players forward and reverse buttons back when learning the guitar by ear.
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Dave I want to ditto what you said (too much to copy and paste). I love the quote 'sawing away' ... just watch my videos!
We do owe a lot to Fiddlerman, I'd also love to see his face when he's watching us. Classic! 
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
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