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:
    1. Repeat the process on the next Chunk, or…
    2. 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 🎻

  1. 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.
  2. Sign up for the FiddleHed newsletter below, then get high-value tips and lessons delivered to your inbox.


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