Overview
In this journey you’ll add variation and expression to “When The Saints Go Marching In.”
Main takeaways
- Practice adding variation to single notes and scales before trying on songs.
- Add a single variation or expression idea to one Chunk of the song.
- Alternate between the basic and variation versions.
- Approach learning with an improvisational mindset.
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Variation Process
Use these steps to add variation to any song! Lower on the page I’ll instruct for a beginner variation.
1. Warm up ☀️
D drone
Warm up with a single note (D0) Use a D drone track to warm up with D0-A0
Add these rhythms:
- Hoedown
- 3 + 3 + 2
- Bars 11-12
Feel it in the body. Enjoy the sound
Play the D Major scale with the D drone.
- Play at different volumes
- Add a rhythm
- Add texture: plucking, tremolo, staccato
2. Basic Chunk 🧩
Play a basic version of the song. Then play the first Chunk. Go Slow.
3. Variation Chunk 🧩
Add simple variation (like volume or texture) to the first Chunk to get in the flow.
Next let’s add a more challenging variation: the hoedown rhythm.
Practice it with single reps. Make adjustments to how you play this until it sounds right.
4. Loop 🔁
Play the variation chunk in a continuous loop. Let it groove and flow as if it’s a complete melody.
5. Basic <> Variation Loop 🔁
Alternate between the basic and the variation in a continuous loop. This helps you refine the variation.
6. Improvise 🦄
Play the song with a drone track.
Play its pentatonic scale.
- Add variations: rhythms, slurs, textures
- Change the note order
Add variations to song Chunks.
Alternate between song and improvisation.
- Play the song, then improvise with the scale and song.
- Add little or big variations to the melody.
- Make up new melodies by re-ordering pentatonic scale.
- Don’t overthink. Have fun.
7. Play The Whole Song 🌍
Follow steps 2-6 to apply the same variation to other parts of the song. It may not sound good to add variation to certain parts. Play attention to this.
8. Repeat The Process 🔄
Repeat steps 2-7 with other variations.
We’ll do these variations next:
Add 3+3+2 (Tresillo) rhythm
Count 1-2-3 | 1-2-3 |1-2. This will help you feel the rhythm. Then clap on the “ones”.
Once you can do that, clap without counting
On the next pass, aim to integrate the 3+3+2 into the song along with hoedown. This is step 10.
Add Double stops
Beginners can add simple droning double stops to the basic version. More advanced players can add two-fingered chordal double stops. Also experiment with adding double stops to the hoedown rhythm (Variation 1).
Always ask yourself, “Does it sound good?” Use recording to help you answer that question…
Full Variation
This will include everything we’ve done and more:
- Hoedown
- 3+3+2 rhythm
- Melodic tag
- Double stops
9. Integrate & Arrange 🌍
Decide on a strategy for how you will add variations. Make choices that you can execute today.
Play attention to what emerges and what feels right.
Assume that your version of this song will change as you learn more skills and songs and gain more confidence. Enjoy the way it is now.
10. Record & Reflect 🎙️ 📝
Each time you practice, make a short Recording of yourself playing the whole song with variations you’ve added. 🎙️
Then ask yourself, “What has improved? What still needs work?” Take note of this in your practice journal:
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Variation 2: Single notes, mixed rhythms (intermediate)
Here is a single-note variation. FiddleHed students can find a beginner hoedown variation as well as more advanced variations in this workshop: When The Saints Go Marching In – Variation Workshop
50 bpm – Basic mix
Multi-tempo – Jam Mix
Further learning
Adding Variation To Fiddle Tunes