Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(11 votes) 
Regulars
Offline
After 3 month hiatus from sharing a video, here is my rendition of Wayfaring Stranger. Other than a few bad notes, I'm most concerned about overall tone. I'm not overly impressed.
The old curmudgeon!
Regulars
Offline
There isnt much wrong with your tone, like everything on fiddle its difficult, as you now know, but to be honest I would be very happy with yourself if I were you.
I think you do a great job on this, and the fact that you are not pleased is actually a good thing, as you will try harder to improve.
If you really want to work on tone, the way to go is full bows trying to keep the sound constant and even as you draw from frog to tip, not too slow, not to fast, and trying to keep the bow straight and not moving from the contact point on the string.
Cant beat a sunny day
Regulars
Offline
@JohnG -
Great to have you back!
Nice playing!
Thank you for sharing your progress!
- Emily
Regulars
Offline
@stringy - Thanks the for bowing techniques you suggested. I've heard, seen, and read about them in the past, but somehow forget to apply them. Maybe this will help me remember. One problem I have is a shaky bow movement at times. I think it may be due to age and lack of consistent practice.
@ELCBK - Glad to be back, thanks! I've not really not been away so much as unwilling to record my lack of progress (at least as far as I can see and hear).
The old curmudgeon!
Regulars
Offline
@JohnG -
Can't really help you here - not in 'Critique' section.
Regulars
Offline
nice one @JohnG ! these slower songs to me are actually harder than say a jig or whatever. think you did good, especially how you slid up around :55 and then again a little later. sounds good..Im hearing the Johnny Cash version for what its worth and its my favorite version. on one of his later albums. good to see/hear you play again.
Regulars
Offline
The bowing technique I suggested will correct a shaking bow.
You are improving trust me, you just cant see it yourself, you wont suddenly become like a soloist, it doesnt happen, but the good thing is you dont have to, constant practice will turn you into a good fiddle player, you are well on your way, ask any of your friends who dont play viola to even get a sound out of your instrument they wont be able to, well, apart from some kind of screech maybe,. anyone who can get any kind of tune from viola ot fiddle deserves utmost respect because it is so hard.
Cant beat a sunny day
Regulars
Offline
I liked everything about it. I watched and then watched again ! I like your tone too. And very straight bowing ! Thanks for posting !
Regulars
Offline
@ABitRusty - Thanks for the support and kind words.
@stringy - Agreed and I still haven't gotten anyone in my family to try it! lol
@Katie L - Thank you, my bowing has improved but the my shaky arm giving quavering notes sometimes drives me nuts.
The old curmudgeon!
Regulars
Offline
JohnG
I like it!
I need to learn this, I have always liked this song and you did good 👍
Thanks for posting.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
Regulars
Offline
@Mark - Thanks! 'Tis one of my favorites, too. As my equipment has improved, I'm feeling more confident, which helps a lot.
The old curmudgeon!
Offline
Very good, @JohnG - you're getting on great there, good progress ! 
Yup, as @stringy mentioned, or implied, it's the devil's own instrument - don't worry about the shaky bow, that will all come-in the more you play, and the small intonation issues - all minor things really - they'll all sort themselves out over time and practise. So, well done and TY for sharing progress - ^5s, to the other Mr. G, LOL
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
Regulars
Offline
@BillyG - And ^5's back atcha! (Took me a moment to figure out the significance, whatcha expect from an old guy?). Thanks for the accolades, really appreciate the support I get here from you and all the others!
The old curmudgeon!
Regulars
Offline
Y'all talk about 5 stars, while I'm giving 'em! 🥰
Regulars
Offline
@elcbk - Thanks for the stars!! btw don't know if you caught it, but ^5's is "high fives"!
The old curmudgeon!
Regulars
Offline
🤔 ...duh!
Guess you can tell I'm all Fiddle Hell'd out - but big on visual rewards! 🤣
...I really should've caught that.
1 Guest(s)
Mouse
ELCBK
Fiddlerman