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Tomorrow I will have been a proud violin owner for a month, and this is to be celebrated with an extra long video! Or something...
I'm struggling with the Ghostbusters violin 5, which as it turns out is way beyond my maturity level. But this project is too cool to pass up, so I'm doing my best! As a result, I'm afraid my bowing practise is falling behind a bit, although I try to remember to warm up in front of the mirror every day. (Sadly, also, I've been doing labwork at uni until really late in the afternoons lately, so I'm a bit knackered when I get home and not up for very long playing sessions.)
In this video, I talk quite a bit, and I'm not sure whether to say "sorry!" or "you're welcome!" for that. Certain people on the chat have expressed curiosity about my accent..! There's a different song towards the end of the vid, which is just a kind of "present" for my sister. It's just for fun, because it's called playing the violin for a reason! 
Please comment and give me tips, and let's see who can recognise the bonus song!
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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Great job, Almandine! I enjoyed your extended video. You sounded good on Ghostbusters part 5. I was planning to do part 5 myself, but was feeling like even that was too hard for me. You've inspired me to keep practicing!
Regarding your accent: it sounds British to me. My observation is that people from non-English speaking countries who speak English tend to speak it with a British accent. It makes sense, I guess, that English teachers in Europe and countries other than the U.S. would likely be from England.
Lastly, I don't know your bonus song, but the first few notes sound like "My Old Kentucky Home" to me.
Oh, and I'm impressed that your kitty doesn't run away when you play. That's not a commentary on your playing but on the sensitivity of cats' hearing. Must be that clicker training.
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
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Thank you, Diane. I'm glad if I've inspired you to keep at it with the ghosts – the more the merrier! You're heaps better than me so I don't see why you couldn't do it. 
As for my accent, it's actually pseudo-Australian, not British, although I know they sound similar and am not surprised that Americans would think so. I do to at times; some Aussies sound very British to me, and certain British accents have Aussie qualities too (natural since that's where it evolved from...) Back in high school, my class was encouraged to all choose American or British English to speak and spell, just so long as we were consistent, and I think that's common practise in Sweden. I actually chose American; it made more sense since I loved country music and Star Trek: Voyager – speak like your influences, right? But a few years ago, I switched influences and my accent gradually changed as a result. 
Old Kentucky Home, you say? That's one of the songs I liked during my country music phase (which I'm still not fully out of, BTW!) But just now, I found an instrumental of it here: youtu.be/DI_dBarT6UY, and the violin intro sounded just like intro to the Swedish national anthem! That's scary! Maybe there are lots of descendants of Swedish emigrants in Kentucky?
I'm surprised too that Tim likes my playing! I fully expected her to run and hide when I first stared, but she's just curious. Sometimes she stands on my wash basin or my side table, depending on where I'm playing, and tries to join in! Adorable.
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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from my experience - the more you play the better and easier it gets! focus on the basics during the week, it will improve your overall comfort, accuracy and speed. You are doing great! remember at least 15 min a day on tone no matter how knackered you are!
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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Great video, Alma. Thanks for sharing!
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It sounds like the bonussong you're playing is the Bauernkantate by Bach 
Markoolio has used this tune in his song: Följ me. (or so I suspect... 
)
I have learned this song a while ago too, I like it and still play it every now and then, mostly for the quick fingering during the 2nd part.
here's a link of a little girl playing it as well:
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Marissieviolissie said
It sounds like the bonussong you're playing is the Bauernkantate by Bach
That's exactly it! 
Or, well, the slightly modified Swedish version called Nu Grönskar Det (a common summer song in schools etc), which is also what Markoolio parodied in that song. I hadn't heard his version before, by the way, had to look it up on Spotify...
That little girl is great! Talk about using the whole bow! She also showed me where to play more than one note on the same bow stroke, so I'll try that the next time I play it. 
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
Almandin said
That little girl is great! Talk about using the whole bow! She also showed me where to play more than one note on the same bow stroke, so I'll try that the next time I play it.
Alma.... you are very observant. I was going to comment on those exact traits. She has terrific bow control and notice her smooth string changes.
I liked your GB part at 3:15 of the video, you did good. Real good.
When you practice, try to use the whole bow length. Without playing a song or any particular note's, play only open string's, begin with a up bow (at the tip), push your bow and count a 4/4 time measure, 1,2,3,4, using the full length of the bow, then quickly start your down bow stroke 1,2,3,4 rest. After you have that under control, practice changing string's on the same up or down bow stroke. Example: Down bow G string, 1,2, change to the D string 3,4, up bow A string, 1,2, E string down bow 3,4, you are countinig 4 beat's on two string's. Keep your stroke's consistant and at a constant speed. If necessary, use the Fiddlerman metronome to help you count and to keep your rythm.
After you are comfortable with that, begin adding note's, don't worry about playing song's at this point, work on scale's.
BTW, Minnesota, USA has the highest population of Swede's. My grandfather's sister settled there in the early 1900's, my grandfather settled here in Michigan, in 1910 along with his brother.
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Fiddlestix said
Alma…. you are very observant. I was going to comment on those exact traits. She has terrific bow control and notice her smooth string changes.
I liked your GB part at 3:15 of the video, you did good. Real good.
Thank you!
And thanks also for your excellent advice! I just tried those exercises, and they obviously need some work. 
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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Great job Almandin, and it's cool that you played Nu Grönskar Det for your sister. How old is she? Maybe you need to get her into playing the fiddle too. Something you guys could do together. Could be a lot of fun...
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Almandin said
Marissieviolissie said
It sounds like the bonussong you're playing is the Bauernkantate by BachThat's exactly it!
Markoolio parodied in that song. I hadn't heard his version before
Actually, the first time my teacher played that song to me, I thought: I know that song... with a few small differences, but I've heard it before.
And then suddenly I knew: Markoolio.... I bought that cd in 2000 when I left Stockholm, that's why I mentioned his version. It came in useful thought, as even though I know how to count, it helped me not play a too 'static' version with the same intonation and 'flat' notes. So yay for Markoolio 
That little girl is great! Talk about using the whole bow! She also showed me where to play more than one note on the same bow stroke, so I'll try that the next time I play it.
That's great to hear! Not that I want to say: learn from me! but maybe I'll put up a video of myself playing the song. Depends on my mood. ("am I brave enough and do I feel up to moving my mess enough so no one notices"-mood)
@fiddlestix: good comments
I'd like to add that it seems, Alma, that you're playing songs that are quite difficult for this stage you're at. I'm not saying you can't learn or do it! But when I started the first few months, my songs were very straightforward. I had to play songs like open E, open A, open A, open E. Only 1/4 notes or longer. Not shorter.
Just for my technique. I also had a book with more 'real playable' songs. I started with Stepping Stones and Fiddle Time Joggers. Though they look like ridiculously easy songs (and some are ), they were hard enough as it involved changing strings, playing on the same bow, playing on the same bow while changing strings. I've finished both books somewhere before the summer (waiting for one that probably got lost in the post 
) and it gave me some basic skills and confidence to play songs like Nu Grönskar Det.
I really do admire you for trying and already making the songs recognizable! But would it be an idea to also get a book with very easy songs just to focus on your techniques alone? It could make it easier to learn the songs you want to play
check your PM!
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Marissieviolissie said
Actually, the first time my teacher played that song to me, I thought: I know that song... with a few small differences, but I've heard it before.
And then suddenly I knew: Markoolio.... I bought that cd in 2000 when I left Stockholm, that's why I mentioned his version. It came in useful thought, as even though I know how to count, it helped me not play a too 'static' version with the same intonation and 'flat' notes. So yay for Markoolio
Yay is right! I felt the same way when I realised that Nu Grönskar Det is in fact a bit of classical music. Always nice to learn that you know bits of stuff like that! The same happened with Ode to Joy which has also been turned into a commen Swedish kids' song (for learning the months of the year!)
Not that I want to say: learn from me! but maybe I'll put up a video of myself playing the song. Depends on my mood. ("am I brave enough and do I feel up to moving my mess enough so no one notices"-mood)
Yes, please do! You'll benefit as well, I'm sure, since as you may have noticed that people on this site are awesome with their constructive criticism. 
I'd like to add that it seems, Alma, that you're playing songs that are quite difficult for this stage you're at. I'm not saying you can't learn or do it! But when I started the first few months, my songs were very straightforward. I had to play songs like open E, open A, open A, open E. Only 1/4 notes or longer. Not shorter.
I know. I don't have a book, and I can't find proper easy songs on the internet... Also, I'm known for my over-ambition... 
Just for my technique. I also had a book with more 'real playable' songs. I started with Stepping Stones and Fiddle Time Joggers. Though they look like ridiculously easy songs (and some are
), they were hard enough as it involved changing strings, playing on the same bow, playing on the same bow while changing strings. I've finished both books somewhere before the summer (waiting for one that probably got lost in the post
) and it gave me some basic skills and confidence to play songs like Nu Grönskar Det.
That sounds fabulous. I've heard some good things about Fiddle Time Joggers and have been planning to order it somewhere.
Thank you so much for your advice and compliments!
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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Almandin said
Yes, please do! You'll benefit as well, I'm sure, since as you may have noticed that people on this site are awesome with their constructive criticism.
Yep, I've noticed The thing that holds me back at this point are 3 things. One is: oh my...I really do need to tidy up my house (hehe, always a good excuse)
Two is: I played the song by memory last night and I just forgot the second part. I know it when I sing/hum it, but I can't find the notes on my violin anymore. Which is a little weird as last week I had no problem with it. 
And I lost my copy too, so unless I find the notes on the violin again or the sheetmusic, this will not be the song I should post.
Three is something that's just my personal little demon. Which I won't discuss in your topic, but rather maybe when I actually do post a video.
About the FTJ: what I said in my PM about Stepping Stones, goes for FTJ too, if it turns out playable enough. 
Also, I'm known for my over-ambition...
Oh that's all too familiar I've been wanting to be able to play Harry Potter filmsongs since I started... and I've tried and tried, but most are not playable yet. At least, not the way they should be... so you're not alone
And you can still practice the songs you want to learn while working on techniques, nothing wrong with that!
If all you focus on is technique, the fun of playing can be taken away, at least to me. So, keep the songs that you like in your repertoire and try them right after you've warmed up with say a few scales or a few 'nonsongs' but just playing on the same bow and changing strings etc. For me warming up is needed most of the time, the sounds I make after about 10 minutes are much nicer (most of the time...) than when I start playing and that makes the songs I'm playing also a little less 'frustrating' to play, as the sound is not that bad anymore
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Marissieviolissie said
I played the song by memory last night and I just forgot the second part. I know it when I sing/hum it, but I can't find the notes on my violin anymore. Which is a little weird as last week I had no problem with it.
What key was it in? I have it in D major (in my head, the book is at my parents' place). I could type it up. Or better yet, I could write it in this neat notation software I found recently!
If all you focus on is technique, the fun of playing can be taken away, at least to me. So, keep the songs that you like in your repertoire and try them right after you've warmed up with say a few scales or a few 'nonsongs' but just playing on the same bow and changing strings etc.
That's just what I'm trying to do too! I don't want to try anything too hard yet, but I've got notes for things I want to be able to play one day, just as motivation. And you're right that practising technique before songs improves playing. Well, a little bit for me, anyway, since my "technique" is still rudimentary at best... 
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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So, I wrote the notes down. Since the little girl seems to be playing in A major, I wrote it in that (below) as well as in D. And since she plays differently from me in a few places, I can only assume that's how the song really went until some Swede changed it to give it lyrics, so I wrote it down like she plays it instead of the way I know it... Her version still jars my ears a bit, but I'm sure I can get used to it if I learn to play it myself! I also added those little sweepy tie thingees where she plays more than one note on a bow stroke.
Now, pauses have never been my strong side </understatement> so this may or may not be entirely correct. But useful, hopefully!
If you have Finale NotePad, I can send you the proper file for editing/playback.
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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Fiddlerman said
Great job Almandin, and it's cool that you played Nu Grönskar Det for your sister. How old is she? Maybe you need to get her into playing the fiddle too. Something you guys could do together. Could be a lot of fun...
Oh, didn't see this reply until now! 
Thank you! Amanda is 25, and I don't think she'd like to learn the fiddle. She already plays the recorder (hah, I looked up blockflöjt and found it's not actually called flute...) and the piano (a bit) and she's busy with her son and her dentist studies... Also, she's a lot more sensitive than I am to screechy notes, so she probably couldn't stand the initial hurdles of awful noise! 
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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To be honest... I have no idea about keys and such (yet).... but the version you gave me, is the one I played in, judging by the notes. So thanks for that 
(great software! This way I can probably do way better or different with what I sent you and just do the same you did )
OK, so it's either my great copies or through this programme, but either way: watch your mail this weekend
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Check your mail!
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Marissieviolissie said
To be honest... I have no idea about keys and such (yet).... but the version you gave me, is the one I played in, judging by the notes. So thanks for that
Good, great, excellent!
Check your mail!
Thanks, you're awesome!
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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To get your sheet music even better Alma, make your first beat the pick-up. In other words, make the first beat a fourth throughout the entire piece.
2nd beat should be the first, 3rd beat should be the 2nd, 4rth should be the third.....
IOW, just move the notes back one beat. I don't know if I'm clear???
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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