How To Play On Songs

Fiddling with life and learning with the occasional dad joke thrown in...  

 

Fiddling With Pink Moon

Here’s a fiddle version of “Pink Moon” by Nick Drake. Liner notes On the surface it sounds like a simple folk song. But both the guitar strum pattern and the vocal line are super syncopated. I listened to the song before and during practice sessions. Here’s the original… I tapped out the rhythm with hands on … Continued

How To Play Back-up Chords On The Fiddle

If you are able to play chord backup on the fiddle and violin, you will be a more versatile and well-rounded musician. Firstly, most fiddle players just play the melody. The chord backup skill allows you to contribute supporting parts when playing with groups, which means you’ll be a lot more useful in a band. … Continued

Playing Fiddle Backup On Girls Just Want To Have Fun

In this video I sing and play fiddle backup for Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper. After I play it, I’ll talk about what we did…kind of a video “liner notes.” Chords Verse F / Dm / Bb Dm / C / Bb Dm / C / F Chorus F / Dm F … Continued

What I’m practicing now…

Here’s some things I’m currently practicing. I’m sharing this as part of the Fall Practice Challenge 2020. My intention is for you go deep with whatever you’re doing: learning to bow on an open string, practicing vibrato, improvising, working on 4th finger, etc. How can it be fun and productive at the same time? For … Continued

Listening Is Practice Too, Two

You may ask: How can I become better at the fiddle? Could I get good enough to play in band? Could I learn to pick up tunes and songs more quickly? How can I do this??!! First, find a way to play every day and everything else will work out. In addition to practicing your … Continued