Messages posted by: Anonymous

I would suggest a category where students of all instruments could post their methods of using the lesson resources: do you download video to a laptop? a desktop? do you toggle around between listening the mp3s and watching the videos? what are your routines in approaching a new or challenging piece?

But knowing that this kind of discussion isn't fragmented among the different instrument categories would be a plus.

I really appreciate that tip!! I'll try it when I get home today. They both make sense. I'm starting to get a sound I like but now my hand hurts and again the squeky chords. I think that in fact I am pushing down a lot on the chords. It seems natural to me to do that. Thanks for the tips.

I'm fairly new as well, so don't have any 'expert' tips. One thing I found though, is that it seems natural to bow heavier for chords, but actually, I needed to lighten up on the bow for chords. Someone also told me to imagine there is a string in between the others eg: Playing chords on the D and A strings aim for an imaginary string in between the D and A strings.
An exercise I do, is to start on one string, and as I am bowing start using both strings to get the feel of bowing on one string vs bowing on two.

Hope this helps, and if anyone else has any tips I would be interested as well!

It can have something to with the inversion of the chord being played--that is to say, what tone is in your lowest bass string. C capo 2 = D gives you your fifth in the bass. D with no capo leaves you laying off the sixth string and using your fifth string (open = A, the fifth) or fudging with your thumb to put the tonic (D) in your bass. You could also tune your sixth string down from E to D, but then folks would start accusing you of being a banjo picker.

It might also have something to do with folks being accustomed to playing in certain keys and not wanting to stray too far from what they are familiar with. I see a lot of BG players using the G shape a lot and moving their capo accomodate the tune. It doesn't work so good down about the ninth fret or beyond.

Don't know if my name will show at the head of this post: Art, aka, mrnefarious

I attended Rob's fiddle tune session on Friday, then Andy's on Saturday. They were both great. Similarities included emphasis on open D position (Whisky Before Breakfast, etc.). Rob killed us all (!) playing Jerusalem Ridge, while Andy took us through Leather Britches. I'm still working on these, and probably will be until next ResoSummit!

Because of the way the strings are tuned - not equally spaced - fiddle tunes in particular seem to fall more easily under the hand using G and C shapes rather than A and D shapes. D shapes and C shapes certainly have a very different feel to them, so in a way I guess it's down to personal preference. Reuben is in D and you'll find that Lesson uses D shapes.
Andy

Thanks so much for putting the grading of the tunes in. Love your site, love the new look!

I'm extremely new at fiddle. I'm catching on though. But I cant' seem to get a clean sound for the 2 string chords that go in a song. The notes either sound off key or I get a scratchy sound. By the way, this is the best thing that has ever happened to me...

Randy

Eivind lives on the wrong side of the pond (fjord).

Hello Resoholics!
from Magne - Larvik in Norway!

For those of us that have a difficult time learning directly from a tab, there is a free program that will play tabs. Go to www.tabledit.com and download the free player. Then google "banjo tabs" and select tabs that are written in tabledit and download your song. This program will play the tab and you can also slow the speed, and isolate different measures. It is a great learning tool!

Now that's funny Matt, because I bought a 96 Gilly and now can't play a lick....go figure...

Where are all the fiddle players?

I am a relatively new fiddle player, and would greatly love tips on what helped others learn and what exercises really helped them improve their playing.

If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks

I always like to play Cherokee Shuffle, St. Anne's Reel, EMD, Blackberry Blosson, Little Maggie, Old Joe Clark, Red Haired Boy, and WhiteWater when I can!

Jay

I'm working through Sunny Side of the Mountain and I have a fingering question.

4th line, 4th measure, first note of the 3-2 pull-off. Index finger?

Thanks

Tyler

Clinch Mountain Backstep
Earl's Breakdown
Theme Time
Pony Express

Would all be "good ones".

Tyler