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Hi folks, i'm making this post to ask for help with playing triplets like the ones in this tune. I have problems accenting the first note, i don't know how to go about it.
All suggestions will do.
Thanks,
JuanFiddler.
P.S: yesterday it's been a year of learning violin

Advanced member
The way I see it, there are two kinds of common triplets in the fiddle world. There are triplets that are used to melodic notes (the kind that you're playing in the song) which actually constitute for the majority of the notes played in jigs and other tunes, and then there are embellishment triplets. Those are the quick little "bow jiggles" that you hear lots of Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton players doing to fill in space or to add character to a song. Although both different kinds of triplets sound very different, they are still both triplets and I'd recommend learning how to do both kinds. I really quickly made this short video with the two exercises that I use to practice both melodic and embellishment triplets. The first video in the montage is melodic triplets, and you can practice these on any open string. Just play the triplets over and over again until they feel completely comfortable. Emphasize the first note of each triplet so that each group of three notes is set apart from the last. The embellishment triplets, however, are very tricky and may take a very long time to really get down. The second video in the montage is the exercise that I used to really nail those triplets. If you can't tell what notes I'm playing or what my bow is doing, just let me know and I'll try to make another, more clear video. You have to practice both kinds of triplets very very slowly before trying to play them fast. When you mess up while playing them fast, that means that you haven't played them slowly enough yet. It takes looots of slow practice to get it right (trust me, I've put in many many hours just practicing triplets).
So here's the video.... it's not great, but I hope it helps. If you got any questions, just lemme know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....7LDXbJmAKU
Also, check out the video that I uploaded on my channel called "Volcanic Jig." It's similar to your tune in bowing technique, so pay attention to how I phrase the groups of triplets and such. Also, the Silver Spear (also posted on my channel) is a great example of embellishment triplets (especially near the end).
Good luck!! You're sounding great!!
P.S. I noticed that you might be adding a couple of notes in the second part of the tune. Do you notice that? I think you're trying to play a triplet, and then you play four notes instead and that is messing up with the flow. Just something to listen for

Pro advisor




Good examples, Jake. I like the way you are showing the 6/8 jig bowing, with the accent on the 1st note of each group, bowing it for a greater length than the other two notes in the group.
The middle bit showing the ornmentation triplets is good too ... I seem to remember hearing some other geezer on YouTube doing that before, using the same notes
Mr Jim

Advanced member
Thanks. That embellishment triplet thing is what my teacher showed me to learn them. Did you post that too?




Juan, I think you're doing well there. Good grasp of rhythm and the intonation is good too.
Could I just point out one thing though, which is very important. Your timing is out, all the way through, sometimes not giving the note its full time value, or the opposite, dropping a part-beat. Whilst it's not so noticeable when you are playing solo, it would have an effect on anyone accompanying you.
Maybe try with a metronome or backing track, to tighten things up a bit?
Mr Jim

Advanced member
Well, I had no idea I was accidentally stealing your stuff! Haha I bet my teacher found that video of yours and then that's what she told me to do. If so, thanks for helping me learn with that exercise.
I do have one question- do you always do the triplets starting on a downbow? Because I've always thought it was the other way around. In all my tunes, I do embellishment triplets starting on an up bow. Is that wrong?




jakefiddle said
Well, I had no idea I was accidentally stealing your stuff! Haha I bet my teacher found that video of yours and then that's what she told me to do. If so, thanks for helping me learn with that exercise.I do have one question- do you always do the triplets starting on a downbow? Because I've always thought it was the other way around. In all my tunes, I do embellishment triplets starting on an up bow. Is that wrong?
No probem, Jake. Yes, for sure the content is from my video, and my vids do get around a bit. They are all there to share (well, the free ones are), so it's OK.
Theoretically you can start triplets in any direction, and some players do them in both directions. It's entirely up to you. I personally prefer the D-U-D as I think they sound 'punchier'.
Mr Jim

Advanced member
Well, next time I use that exercise to teach someone, I'll give you credit!
I'll also try to do some D-U-D patterns. I'm sure it'll come in handy to learn it both ways.




Thanks, Jake and Fiddlerman.
Jake, I always think of the triplet group going the same way as normal bowing. if you start a reel, (ignoring the lead-in notes, if any) you start on a down-bow, right? I feel it's the same with the D-U-D triplets. There's normally more punch on a down-bow than an up-bow, so that's another way to look at it.
However, both ways are fine, so just experiment and settle with what works best for you.
Mr Jim
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