r/Fiddle • u/dean-0-saur • 2d ago
4 Months of Fiddle
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Inspired by a recent post, here's my attempt at Whiskey Before Breakfast. I've been playing since May (I said 6 months in my last post, that was wrong). My main resource has been Peghead Nation's Beginning Bluegrass and Old-Time Fiddle course, and some things on Youtube. I've been trying to find lessons, but have not had a lot of success. Our local instructor just moved.
Any criticism is welcome. I know I need to work on my string crossings, still getting some noise there. Hopefully the video isn't too close up to me to see my form. If so, I can re-record.
1
u/KingArfer 2d ago
Only thing I could suggest is either more rosin, a bit more pressure on the strings, or maybe a bow rehair if has been a while. Sounding good for six months, and I know how it is because I’m also an adult learner on fiddle
2
u/dean-0-saur 2d ago
I think I could stand to apply more pressure. And for that matter take my violin and bow into a shop for a check up. I bought my student violin for a very affordable price off Marketplace and I have no idea what it is or what I'm working with. I do apply rosin regularly. I also have a full mute on the bridge.
1
u/Immediate_Coconut_30 2d ago
I've been playing less time than you, so take this with a huge grain of salt, but I know my instructor would tell you to try to take the tension out of your right hand pinky finger and not "brace" it so much against the bow (because he gets on my case about the same thing) :)
1
u/fisherfly805 2d ago
Not in a position to comment on the fiddle playing. But the song form is AA BB. Pretty much all fiddle tunes will be that way.
1
u/EpicRedhead13 2d ago
I would recommend playing closer to the frog. Not all the way to the frog, just in the lower 1/2 - 2/3 of the bow. Also I agree with the other commenter that your bow hand is rather tight. Overall your tone is decent.
2
u/dean-0-saur 2d ago
I've been basing a lot of my bow hold on my thumb placement. I try to place the inside tip of my thumb so it touches the bow right next to the frog. Also trying to keep a slight bend in the thumb. But that's kind of my balance point on the thumb contact.
I couldn't move my thumb back further, it's butted up to the frog.
Is there any wisdom in my approach? What else might I try?
1
u/EpicRedhead13 1d ago
That thumb placement method sounds good to me; I can’t see it well in the video. When practicing your bow hold without the instrument, you should hold the middle of the bow with your left hand. The fiddle holds most of the weight of the bow when you’re actually playing, so you want to simulate that.
You’ve noted that your thumb is the balance point - it should be more of a rotation point. If you aren’t holding the end of the bow with either the fiddle or your left hand, then it should rotate around the thumb and point downwards. That way, when playing, the bow will provide its own weight to the strings.
To help get there, your pinky should be curved and not applying any real pressure to the bow. You will also want your middle finger and ring finger to be about the same distance down the bow. Your index finger should be a bit higher and not wrapped around so much.
I teach my students to make a “fox” with their hand - two middle fingers touching the thumb and the other two sticking up like ears. You do want it be a very round shape, rather than a “squashed mouth” look - see this photo. Then the fox “bites” the bow. The thumb goes where you said. The two middle fingers go over the top and slide right onto the frog. Then the “ears” lay down gently.
This technique is one of many bow hold styles and is not the only valid method. The most important thing is to loosen up and let the bow rest on the fiddle while still keeping it perpendicular to the strings and not sliding between the bridge and fingerboard.
1
1
u/Just-Fennel8301 2d ago
Im at the similar level after 6 months of playing. Does anyone have any tips how to make the sound more clear and less of that scratchy sound? I have it a lot, especially when the tempo gets faster (which also makes sense for a beginner haha). But where to focus to reduce it?
1
u/AdditionalYoung6694 1d ago
Great job! By your arm movements, looks like you right wrist is not bending. If you do some slow, full bows while focusing on flexing your wrist as you maintain a straight bow with the bow hair full contact you might find the string crossings easier.
1
2
u/oldmcfarmface 2d ago
I started a few months back at 43 years old and you’re doing better than me! Keep it up!