Beginners Fiddle for Posers !

Subject: RE: Beginners Fiddle for Posers !
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 03:20 AM

Country style? Seems to me Yorkshire-style is what you're after here and the place to start is The Godlike Genius of Jim Eldon...

Subject: RE: Beginners Fiddle for Posers !
From: DonMeixner
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 02:41 PM

Hi PF,

Learn the classical stance first. It is easier on your prearthritic left wrist. Once you know where your fingers need to be it will be easier to get them there when they are out of position. Also, same thing about bowing; it is easier to bow correctly in the classical stance.

For visual coolness you could choke up off the frog a little.

D

Subject: RE: Beginners Fiddle for Posers !
From: Chris Partington
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 02:40 PM

That used to be an accepted way to grasp the violin in general, not just for fiddlin', right up into the 18thC.

The downside is that you have to hold it entirely and very firmly with your hand and thumb.
Your wrist now helps to hold up the instrument so it is in what a violinist would call a 'collapsed' position against the neck of the fiddle. This has several disadvantages:-

1.You can't do vibrato (so?)
2.You can't shift out of first position (so?)
3.It's harder to reach some notes because your fingers are pretty much locked in one position; so the keys of C, F, and Bb (and Eb too!) are harder, which is OK as long as you stay in G, D, & A.
4.Bow control is rougher because of your posture, leading to less good (or different!) tone control.
5.It's harder to do than you think! Those good ol' boys still practiced a lot and had talent.

In the end though, as long as you are prepared for the limitations, it used to be the normal way to do it, and it will be easier on your tinnitus.

Subject: RE: Beginners Fiddle for Posers !
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 02:32 PM

yeah.. thanks Bernard..

I certainly don't need much persuading to go electric !!!

..and those cheap Chinese 'skeletal' fiddles with built in pickup,
are the kind of thing I'd expect to be entirely adequate
for a bit of variety on one or two songs in our band's live set.

Subject: RE: Beginners Fiddle for Posers !
From: Bernard
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 02:02 PM

Go for an electric one - that way you can make as much or as little noise as you like/people can tolerate!!

Subject: Beginners Fiddle for Posers !
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 02:00 PM

ok.. I can play pretty good fast rhythm guitar and mando..

so it makes great sense now I'm 50 and a proper grown-up
to make a natural lateral move into learning country style fiddle chord playin'..

I'm confident I'll adapt well if I spend the winter practicing the basics.

But what I want to know is if there's any good reason why I shouldn't learn
to play
balancing the fiddle on my arm against my body like the good ol'
country boys..

rather than classical 'shoulder under chin position' ?

1. it looks cooler

2. i've enough problems with tinnitus without the extra risk
of scrapin 'n' screeching string noise right under my good less damaged ear'ole..

comments & advice please.

oh yeah, I s'pose I better start scouring ebay for a cheap enough
fiddle
seeing as my family couldn't wait to chuck away my uncle's
as soon as he died....

[funnily enough, he was self taught too..]