I Gorra Fiddle!

Subject: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 12:43 PM

'Er indoors was out shopping today.

Brought me 'ome a prezzie - a vile inn from Netto!

Advice please??

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 12:55 PM

Keep the receipt!! ;-)

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 07:37 PM

one o' me fiends has played the Netto fiddle - it sounds really well & only cost £29.99!

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Pioden
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:33 PM

Ummm, What's a "Netto Fiddle"? Sorry, I'm a Yank, and don't get the reference.
Pioden

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:43 PM

http://www.netto.co.uk/internet/nettog/menu/main.nsf

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Pioden
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 09:18 PM

Oh, thanks. Lot's o' nifty stuff. So, it's a regular fiddle; you still like it? Do you play? What sort of advise are you looking for?
Pioden

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 09:21 AM

You can get away with a reasonable "ear" when playing guitar, accordion and so on, BUT, to play the violin/fiddle it is essential that you have a very good pair of ears. It's very rare that, on a local level, in folkie, jazz or even classical circles, I hear consistently good intonation. Certainly give it a good try - but if your not bang in tune ( most of the time), then, you're not where you should be.

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 10:35 AM

Use one o'these: http://guitarmania.vstore.ca/product_info.php?products_id=28

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 10:38 AM

'Features very acurate chromatic tuning of all notes between A2 & B7 and unaffected by surrounding noise or sounds.'

In my experience that's not the case, esp if there's loud things like banjos in the room.

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Louie Roy
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 11:12 AM

When you get tired of the netto try a soweetus it's a real challenge

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: GUEST,AWG
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 06:40 PM

Who agrees with this statement ? 'Miread, the fiddler from Celtic Woman, is the most talented fiddler (and most beautiful) on earth'.

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: BanjoRay
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 06:55 PM

Probably nobody.
Ray

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 07:16 PM

I can't possibly teach you to fiddle by text. If you were in my living room, maybe, if you want to practice.

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 07:37 PM

Agranams again!

Miread = I dream [wet ones perhaps?]

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Pioden
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 12:09 AM

Key words for playing fiddle or violin? "Listen, Listen, Listen!"
If you pay close attention to the sounds coming out of your fiddle, whether bow or intonation, and adjust accordingly, you will be that much closer to playing well. There is a "right" way (or series of right ways) to play, and you should be able to hear when you have it. If crunches, play lighter. If squeaks, try applying more pressure, and make sure the bow is being drawn at least close to perpendicular to the strings, all the way to the tip, and roughly over the f-holes. Left hand fingers should be firmly planted, with just enough tension to hold them onto the fingerboard. Upper bow arm roughly parallel with bow, no matter the string. Of course there are exceptions, but if you LISTEN you'll figure it out.
Pioden

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 07:15 AM

Went to dinner at a fiend's house last night.

After we'd eaten, the hostess showed me a few things, on the fiddle.

Now I've a much better understanding of its 'mechanics' - that is, how to play a scale etc, using all 4 strings.

I already play guitar,whistles, mouth organ, melodeon, & occasionally chord organ.

The playing position on all these seems comfortable & natural, but not so with the fiddle.


I've seen some players holding the instrument down on their chests to play.

Does the position make any difference to the musical output?

Anyone know?

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 08:34 AM

Guess noone knows

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 08:56 AM

Well, I doubt if the 'sound' will be much different but if you hold it on your chest (or any other way except properly) you are severely limiting what you are able to do with the instrument. There are reasons that it is held the way it is held.

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: leeneia
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 01:52 PM

Congratulations, Mr. happy. I'm glad you are married to someone who wants you to have the joy of making music.

Pioden's advice sounds good.

If I received a violin, I would look for a teacher. However, many old timers never had lessons, and they kept fiddling and dancing alive for centuries.

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: terrier
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 07:41 PM

The Gentlemens excuse me.
"Excuse me, I have to practice my vile inn".
A true gentleman has a violin but does not play it in public.
Take heed of Sir Beecham's advice to a wayward lady cellist........ ;)

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: BanjoRay
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 07:48 PM

Holding the fiddle on your chest:
Disadvantages
1. Your arm is straighter, and your fingering hand's further away, so you may have to have the fiddle neck lying on the heel of your hand instead of away from it as it's "supposed" to be. Many of the great Old Time players hold it just like this with no apparent disadvantage to their playing.
2. Your ear is further away from the f holes, so hearing your own fiddle is more difficult in a noisy session.
3. If your arms are short, it's very difficult.

Advantages
1. It's a lot easier to sing and hold a conversation when the fiddle's on your chest instead of jammed under your chin.
2. Many people find it more comfortable.
3. It looks cool, if that bothers you.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Pioden
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 11:16 PM

One reason I encourage use of shoulder rest, or something to allow holding fiddle on shoulder firmly by chin, so you could support it solely there (removing left hand all together, carefully at first), is to free up the left hand for things like (potential) shifting to different positions and vibrato(which is easier with a straight wrist, though admittedly not impossible the other way). It also seems to me that fingering can be done faster with a straight wrist, and all the strings can be reached more easily, as well as 4th finger ease of use. I do realize there are fiddlers out there very happily going along with wrists flat against the neck, and instrument held loosely against their torsos, but that seems awkward to me. I do let the instrument slump on occasion, if I'm just doing backing stuff, but when I'm going full out, I need to have a good grip with my chin (though don't give yourself a neck ache or nerve twitch by clamping too hard). More later
Pioden

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 12:09 AM

I keep trying to tell him we can't teach him to fiddle with text only. Even if he can't find a 'teacher' he needs a fiddler to watch/learn from and ask questions of.

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 06:24 AM

I've got a rest now which eases things up a lot.

Had a basic lesson from a fiend last w/end & can now play a scale!!

Mrs Happy's been really trying too & has leapt ahead of me in being able to play some recognisible tunes

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 03:21 PM

Mrs Happy's practising again now.

The tune she can play is called 'Lightly Row' & is of German origin.

Its not the DT, anyone know if there's any words to it?

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: leeneia
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 11:36 AM

I read a Smithsonian magazine article once where a doctor said that the violin was a device designed to destroy the human right arm.

It would be good to get some lessons from a trained, experienced teacher who will start you off with good habits.

One visit to the doctor prob costs more thans six months of lessons.

Subject: RE: Folklore: I Gorra Fiddle!
From: Pioden
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:34 PM

Yes, I, also strongly recommend working with a real live fiddler/violinist that can observe you and correct bad habits before they begin.
That being said, in between, or until you find someone to teach you, LISTEN, not only to your notes, but to your body. If it hurts, there's probably a better way to do it. My dad said to me a few years back, "Nat, you've forgotten how much of a contortionists position playing violin/viola is." The biggest thing I can say to prevent problems is to be sure to stretch your arms/shoulders/torso through full range of motion, and shake out your hands, stretching each finger individually, at the end of each practice session, at least, and several times through out if you're playing longer. And, remain as relaxed as you can while maintaining position. Don't over clench anything. Play in front of a mirror, watch videos of violinists on Youtube , or wherever you can find them, and compare how you look to how they look.   A friend sent me this link, check it out, it's fun.
There are words for lightly row, they're just so many versions. The Suzuki method (of violin teaching)uses this piece, and the first set of lyrics comes from one of their pages:
Lightly Row, lightly row,
O'er the shining waves we go!
Smoothly glide, smoothly glide,
on the silent changing tide.

Let the winds and waters be,
still and calm and clear to see.
Drift and float we, drift and float in-,
side our little sailing boat.

Or another version goes:

lightly row, softly row,
on the glassy waves we go.
softly glide, smoothly ride,
on the quiet tide.

let the wind and waters be
mingled with our harmony,
sing and float, hum and float,
in our little boat.

I think there are many, many versions, I haven't been able to figure out where it originated, or what the original lyrics are, but I'm sure someone knows.
I'm glad you're still enjoying your Fiddle,
Pioden