Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 12 May 02 - 04:22 PM

Thanks for the links Sorcha. Lots of interesting info there.

I've just come back from an enjoyable afternoon at the Wootton Fiddle Club. Wootton is a small North Lincolnshire village – stereotype English with a pub, pond, village hall, church and a few houses – but it manages to draw in a wealth of talent once a month both for the Fiddle Club and for the open sessions in the Nags Head.

I've been learning fiddle for just under 18 months and two fairly simple tunes that we did today were KATE DALRYMPLE and MY LOVE.

By the way (note the use of English instead of BTW), the Wootton Fiddle Club is presenting the Brigg Fiddle Fest 2002 on Friday17th to Saturday 18th May. Lots of top class acts and plenty of workshops


Doug C

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 12 May 02 - 03:29 PM

Didn't know about that book Keith. Can I have a look at it next time we see you? BTW hope Eileen has recovered from her ordeal and is doing something much more useful like playing the fiddle!!:-)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 02 - 02:18 PM

Need link to Ed Hetzler's Old Time music site.... MIDIs and slowed down MIDIs of many....

~S~

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: selby
Date: 12 May 02 - 01:16 PM

Folkworks in the UK do a Book and a CD the dots are in the book (obviously)and on the CD the tune is played slowly then further on the CD it is played at normal speed with it's partners to make a set. Highly recommended Keith

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 12 May 02 - 06:46 AM

I must doth my cap to Letty, because it was her rendition of Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore at last years Eurogathering, round Wolfgang's gaff, that inspired me to take up the fiddle, and concentrate on that tune as my starter piece.

Letty, I am dead impressed with your playing style. Your progress since last year seems exponential. As I am following you, I hope the same rubs off on me for my second year!

Skipjack

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Marion
Date: 11 May 02 - 03:02 PM

Hi Lark. My first fiddle tune was a jig in A called "Auntie Mary," or "Cock of the North," or "Chase Me Charlie." It's played by both Celtish and more old-time fiddlers.

Besides being the easiest real dance tune that I know, I think it would be good for you since you want "anything that is fairly simple, but sounds a wee bit more complicated than it is." This tune can be played totally in double stops (two notes at once) without ever having to change the bowing or fret two strings at once. The melody is all on the top two strings, and whichever string the melody is on, the other can be used open as a drone. I play it through once with just the melody, then play it on both strings - it's actually easier since you don't have to change your bow angle, and it impresses the hell out of my friends.

Marion

Oh, and Al... the difference is in thousands of dollars, not tens of dollars! Cheers, Marion

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 10 May 02 - 10:38 PM

What's the difference between a fiddle and a violin? About fify bucks. Al

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: GUEST,Letty (no cookie)
Date: 10 May 02 - 02:19 PM

Hi there,
I'm a beginner on the fiddle too, and as Skipjack, I started with Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore (slow, try to play it along with the Corrs). For the quick ones, I personally think jigs, polkas and hornpipes are easier than reels. Fairly easy Polkas: The New Roundabout, Jer the Rigger, Breeches full of stitches.
Good luck!

Letty

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: GUEST,Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 10 May 02 - 01:39 PM

Great suggestions for beginning tunes!!!!

They say that the violin is a fiddle that went to college. :) The setup for the fiddle is typically a little different than for violin. The bridge is usually a little flatter for fiddle so that it is easier to double stop. Many blue grass fiddlers use steel strings such as the Adario Preludes. I personally would not use anything of a lesser quality. Actually I prefer a more classical set up with the strings---I use Dominants with a Pirastro gold E.

Classical violinists look down on anyone who use fine tuners on anything other than the E string; I prefer fine tuners on all the strings 'cause it is easier to adjust to the banjo or guitar players or the autoharp I'm playing with.

Traditionally fiddle style uses very little vibrato, and classic violin uses vibrato as much as possible.

Many fiddlers do not use a shoulder rest. I do for two reasons: 1) it saves the neck 2) it frees the fingers of your left hand so that you are not using the left hand to hold up the fiddle. Many fiddlers strive for a scratchy tone played at breakneck speed. I prefer a more solid tone and playing at a rate where I can enjoy what I am playing.

I think the biggest advise I could give is to keep your sessions of practice such that you enjoy your instrument. Nothing will kill the desire to play it faster than when practice becomes an onerous chore.

Happy fiddling,

Hardiman the fiddler

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 May 02 - 01:24 PM

One thread here,
Another here.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 02 - 01:15 PM

One difference is in the profile of the bridge. Another is string choice. I'll log out so Hardi can post.

~S~

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 10 May 02 - 12:28 PM

.........I went out and bought a violin, set up to be a fiddle, so they tell me ......


Are there different set ups for classical violin and folk fiddle?

When does a fiddle become a violin and vice versa. I thought it was just a case of semantics.

Doug C

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Rich_and_Dee
Date: 10 May 02 - 11:23 AM

Hi,

When I was taking violin lessons, a few years ago and sadly a little late in the game, I started out with "The Minstrel Boy" and "Leg of the Duck".

I've always been a fan of the idea of starting out with some melody you know in your head.

Tis a wonderful instrument. Best of luck to you!

Rich

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 10 May 02 - 11:12 AM

I kicked off with Green Shamrock Shore as a slowie, and Merry Blacksmith/Paddy on the Railroad as a fast one. Sorch is right with Old Joe Clark, as that fell under the fingers quite easily.

I've been playing a little under a year now, self taught, and I wish to blazes I'd started thirty years ago. Good luck.

Skipjack

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 May 02 - 11:06 AM

Hardi is right--you need to choose something that you already know how it is supposed to sound. Some easy beginner tunes are Old Joe Clark, Star of the County Down, Angeline the Baker, Red Wing, Down By the Salley Gardens, Alouette,and Logan Water. If you need sheet music, say so and I can e mail you stuff.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: GUEST
Date: 10 May 02 - 10:49 AM

'Lark In the Morning'

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: NicoleC
Date: 10 May 02 - 10:45 AM

Lark,

You have a teacher, but you are having trouble finding songs? So what're you paying the teacher for?! :)

I'm pretty new to fiddle myself. As a recital choice, you might try Arran Boat Song, which is a sweet little air that sounds really nice but is pretty easy to play. And if you are having trouble with intontation (and I bet you are!), the nice long notes will really help you hear where you're off and get you on track.

Nicole

Subject: RE: Tune Req: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 09 May 02 - 10:15 PM

Hi lark,

Don't give up. I know first hand how awful it is at first. I began to play the fiddle about 5 years ago, and I would say that the first year was fairly discouraging. I taught myself. Here's what I would suggest: practice some songs/hymns or such that is familar. That way you have an idea how it is supposed to sound. Then, after you've grown comfortable with that there is a book, "Mel Bay's Children's Fiddle method" by Carol Ann Wheeler. There is a video that you can get with it. They are fairly simple tunes that will help you with fiddle technique. I used the book with great results. When you are ready to move beyond that Oak Publications' Appalachian Fiddle Book has great illustrations of the location of double stops. Good Luck,

Hardiman the Fiddler

Subject: First Violin/Fiddle songs
From: GUEST,lark
Date: 09 May 02 - 08:48 PM

About 5 months ago, I went out and bought a violin, set up to be a fiddle, so they tell me. I take lessons from my friend's mother, who teaches many younger students. I am 18, and she is making me play at her yearly recital. I am still very, very new at it, and sound pretty awful most of the time. And I haven't been able to find songs that I like that I am capable of. Any recommendations? I would love some ballad type songs, or anything that is fairly simple, but sounds a wee bit more complicated than it is. Any help would be most appreciated! Thank you! ~Lark~