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[sammy_day]

Hey y'all. So I've only been doing this fiddle thing for a couple weeks, but I've got a few years of mandolin experience under my belt, so I'm finding that the left hand (at least in first position) is coming pretty easily. Still, my technique and bowing are still overflowing with issues, so I was wondering if any of you had fiddle tips for a

Comments

[wildgarden]

Welcome to the fiddle. Your mando experience surely gives you a head start.

Sometimes I like to warm up with super slow bowing. Keeping my bowing wrist very relaxed and fluid helps my playing, too.

Alasdair Fraser, Natalie McMaster are a couple of my favorites.

[flamingo_moo]

Second on Alasdair Fraser, I always put in one of his cds when I need relaxation or inspiration. (not to sound corny, there are just some beautiful pieces and playing). One of his students, Hanneke Cassel, has also done some nice work. In the contra dance music world, Nat Hewitt and Amy Larkin have done some great things. That's mostly the kind of stuff I play.

bowing (before I write a book)- when I started, I did some very long ones, and then I did varied patterns. It's more difficult than it seems to keep the same pattern (like shortshortshortlonglong) going, especially if you then switch strings. I'm teaching a friend now and it's helping her too.

[ludditerobot]

I'll start with the second part and say that Grappelli is a favorite, too. Love the gypsy jazz. I've been listening the old blues and jazz fiddlers on a couple of Old Hat discs, Violin, Sing The Blues For Me and Folks, He Sure Do Pull Some Bow!.

I've been a fiddle owner for probably a year and a half. I won't call myself a fiddle player yet, but I hope to get there. I started out with guitar, then mandolin, so I think I'm OK with the fingering and the theory. My issue is that, no matter what I play, It always sounds blocky and not fluid. I don't know what to do about that yet.

[ladyofannwn]

haha! it's the opposite for me! i went fiddle to mandolin and am still boggled when it comes to using a pick!

as for favorites, i couldn't pick right now! but Grappelli is quite lovely. and i second Natalie McMaster and Hanneke Cassel. and third Alasdair Fraser!

[sammy_day]

Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like I'll have to check out Alasdair Fraser.