Brahm’s Fiddle Waltz
Overview
Here’s a lesson on the Brahm’s Waltz No. 39 to guide you on your fiddle journey. I’ll also talk about adding variation to the melody in a separate video.
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Learning chunks
Preparation
Warm up by playing the scale.
G Major
G Major scale: G0-1-2-3-D0-1-2-3 | D3-A0-1-L2-3-E0-1-L2
G Major Play-along track
G drone
Use this to practice the scale at your own pace.
Basic version - sheet music & audio
90 bpm basic
Jam mix
This alternates between the melody and chords (without fiddle). Use the chord sections to practice the basic melody, vocals, chords, variations or improv.
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Here’s a learning version with finger notation, brackets, and color-coded repeating patterns.
Brahm’s Fiddle Waltz_learning – Parts
Here’s a “performance” pdf without finger notation but with chords. Use this to practice reading sheet music or chord backup.
Sheet music video
Variation version - video, sheet music & audio
Audio
Sheet music
Use this to freely practice the song once you learn it.
Further learning
If you liked this lesson, you may also like:
Other versions
Learn-A-Song Steps
Plan
- What Chunks will you work on today?
- How will you work on them?
- Write down your plan. It’s ok if you deviate.
Do
Center ☀️
- While listening to a drone, allow the body, breath and mind to relax.
- Play a single note.
- Shift your attention between the drone and the sound you make.
- Enjoy the effortless sound and the feeling.
Listen 🎧
- Listen to the whole thing before you learn it
- Listen to each chunk before the first attempt
- Listen to practice recordings from your last session
- Listen to the sound of your own instrument and other voices
- Listen to your emotions and thoughts
Chunk 🧩
- Break down complex things into smaller chunks that you can improve right now.
- You might even need to practice a single note.
- Move between smaller and bigger Chunks.
Go Slow
- Focus on getting the motions right.
- Slowly practice something once.
- Pause, adjust and then try again.
- Keep going until you can do it in a relaxed manner.
Loop 🔁
- Practice a Chunk with single repetitions.
- Once that feels good, play it without reading in a slow loop.
- Move from thinking to playing with flow.
- If you stumble, then pause to adjust:
- Slow Down
- Shrink the loop
- Return to single reps
- Don’t Loop mistakes!
Memorize
- Memorize as you go.
- Once you can play something, close your eyes and continue to practice it.
- Do something different for a minute, and then play it again from memory. Memorize the song, return to it with increasing gaps over the next few weeks.
Repeat 𝄇
- Practice the current challenge until it feels good. Repeat earlier steps as necessary.
- Then:
- Repeat the process on the next Chunk, or…
- Chain
Integrate 🌍
- After you learn two small Chunks of a song, skill or exercise, put them together.
- Work on the transitions between Chunks.
- Follow the same practice steps as you practice larger Chunks.
Reflect
- What went well?
- What needs improvement?
- What did you learn?
Two ways I can help you on your fiddle journey 🎻
- Sign up for the Free Two-week Trial. You’ll get full access to all courses and group lessons. Plus, I’ll send you some free lessons tailored to your current skill level.
- Sign up for the FiddleHed newsletter below, then get high-value tips and lessons delivered to your inbox.