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(4 votes) 
NewFiddlerGirl said
I need a little help/advice. The tempo for both Frosty and Wish are fine and I'm starting to play with the click track but....
The accompaniment for O Come O Come Emmanuel is crazy fast for someone only playing for a bit over a month (120 bpm). I have the song down and do fine when I play without the click track/accompaniment. But I can't seem to keep up with the tempo. Either I lose the notes or my bowing goes to hades in a handbasket. I don't want to give up because the accompaniment is beautiful. I have been trying to just "finger along" with the track then pick up the bow. But I can't seem to get my two hands to work and play well together at the faster pace.
Any tips would be appreciated.
For me, I would simply NOT play with the accompaniment until you're about a week or less out from recording. Just play the song over and over and over. ESPECIALLY areas where you're having trouble. Play one section at a time, i.e. the intro, verse, or chorus over and over and over until you don't even have to think about it. THEN put it all together and play through the whole song. Play it without worrying about tempo. Just keep playing and you will naturally speed up. A lot people actually have to slow themselves down after this type of practice once they start listening to the accompaniment. Just focus on learning the music so it's natural to you, and your left and right hands will start flying before you know it.
Have fun!!!!!!
coolpinkone said
Spent 40 minutes with Frosty tonight. He is a Happy Jolly Soul.Fun song... I will put a goofy practice sound cloud up tomorrow or Friday.
I don't know if I will get WWYAMC in time.
Holy Night... I have it down..but I need help with the sound.../maybe tempo..might be a duet with my gal pal violin partner who can vibrate well for me at the end? Time will tell.
How is everyone doing?
@coolpinkone, I expect more confidence from you! You're selling yourself short! You've got all three songs, absolutely NO issue! Don't give up on yourself before you try. It is FAR better to TRY and FAIL MISERABLY then to never try! I know you've got this! Your skills have been well documented here on fiddlerman.com, so there is NO WAY you're convincing me, or anyone else that you can't do it! Make sure you don't convince yourself of it!
And I'm sorry, but I can not offer much help with Holy Night except this, just keep playing it. Set a number, like 25, 50, 100, and make it a goal to play through the song that many times before you record it. Then you know the song and everything else is all about expression and how you want to play it. Enjoy, you've got this!
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Okay.. @wookieman ... spent more time with Frosty ...and I am confident that I can get him in line... 
O Holy Night..I need a coach or just a little help on that..or a back track in my key to help me along... will figure it out...
I will start WWYAMC tomorrow ... and see where I get with it.. Thank for the vote of confidence.
(I cheated with other songs today big time... had to just play from my heart today to keep sane. 
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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@newfiddlergirl I find the tempo is coming to me with memorization of the song... and repetition.. (I know.... lame tips..) But that is what is working for me.
Good luck.. YOU can do it..
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
@wookieman I have about two weeks and that includes the recording. On OCOCE: since it's a solo, if I can't get the tempo up to speed I can always play without the accompaniment. The other two aren't too hard, even second fiddle parts.
@coolpinkone Considering I've only been playing since October 7th, I don't think I'm doing too bad. All total including the 3 Christmas pieces, I have learned/am learning seven songs. And one of them (Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain) I learned by ear from playing with my husband on guitar and transcribed the music. I'm definitely challenging myself to learn and stretch my skills. Perhaps a bit more for someone with this little play time, but I think it's helped me focus, be a bit more self critical and strive to improve. With the solo, I don't think the world will end if I can't get it up to speed enough to use the accompaniment.
But the best part of it is - I am having fun. Especially when the dogs join in during a practice session and start barking. 
Wish they could hold a steady tempo though.....
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ok: finally got my hands on the book. I'm in but not sure how much I'll have ready in time. gary
"Make every note beautiful", Ivan Galamian
“To play a wrong note is INSIGNIFICANT; To play without PASSION is INEXCUSABLE!” , Ludvig Van Beethovan
"It ain't rocket surgery"
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Hi guys, back from overseas!
Will get stuck into practising, I promise! I really don't want to miss this one.
@Toni ... who do you think you are kidding? I've heard you play!
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
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Okay... I have been practicing.. but Frosty remains Rusty the Snowman and O Holy Night remains O Holy F-up. ha ha..
Here is my Frosty practice week three.
@newfiddlergirl keep up the good work...
@gwscheer you can do it!!
@Robyn.fnq yay..welcome..we need all the players we can..
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Well done Toni! I'd better get working harder, you're miles ahead.
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
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Damn, I've just re-read some of the thread and the beginning says the deadline will be mid-December, but then that changed to 1st December. I'm there now, and not nearly ready to record (I still can't stand up that long)!
So I'm assuming I've missed it?
Good luck everybody!!!
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
Alright everybody, we are going to have to extend the deadline on this one. I've been super busy myself with moving in to a new house and trying to get settled. So, I'm going to say December 20th. That's almost three extra weeks. If you're done with it already, that's fine, I will start putting things together, but if not, you've got a little extra time. I hope that helps everyone out. Enjoy, I hope you all had an excellent Thanksgiving!
jessemunderwood@gmail.com for your sprend.com usage. Thanks again, keep on keeping on!
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Phew!
Does that give you enough time to put it all together before Christmas?
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
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Thanks, that does help. I've been so busy with my recital pieces and Thanksgiving I haven't had time to practice it.
Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.
Robyn.fnq said
Phew!Does that give you enough time to put it all together before Christmas?
Don't worry @Robyn.fnq that gives me plenty of time. Of course, the sooner parts start rolling in, the sooner I will be able to get started.
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Great job Toni. You're moving on up......
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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@Fiddlerman wow.. really??? Pierre, I feel like I am struggling. Thank you.. wow!
I want to progress..I made a leap with playing 3 months ago... .but now another plateau. Dang I need structure and a teacher that will be really demanding. I feel so fired up about violin after two years... I am ready to really play some stuff... I am on the hinge of a Vibrato break through and really ready to play some stuff I have been yearning to play for so long.
I can take it if you have some critique.. Look at me.. latching on and begging for folks to let me have it.
Thanks for the comment... so much appreciate you and the site. Love, Toni
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Toni, maybe you should stop and listen to yourself play, it seems everyone else can hear the improvement but you.
Seriously, don't put yourself down, you're an inspiration to new players as well.
This will be one super project!
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
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Awh @Robyn.fnq ..thanks. Good advice. I feel okay-ish to play... I hear the recording and duck and cover.
But I love it more than ever and played good Frosty/Rusty tonight.. woo hoo..
I love this song .. I have 2 year old grand daughter and one come in January..so I think Frosty is on the must play list for years.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
Hi guys. Thanks for the date on the deadline. I just got a replacement firewire cable for my camera so now I can play with recording and the tech aspects. Playing 2nd violin is a bit challenging but tonight I finally got one part right that kept sounding wrong. It's funny how your fingers play the right notes but to your ear it sounds wrong because it's harmony and not the "right notes". Does that make sense?
I'm getting excited and a bit nervous. December 7th will be my two month anniversary playing and most of it has been for the group projects. Now if i don't freeze up every time the camera is on.....
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Samantha, play whatever you feel comfortable with, and don't stress it.
Whatever you do, have fun! I've submitted some pretty woeful contributions to group projects, and the overall result sounds awesome!
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
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