Now that you’ve practiced these beginner finger positions with two bows, we can add some rhythms and textures to the same finger exercise to make it more fun. It’s also more productive because you are also practicing bowing technique.
Practice with these exercise loops. Remember, if you get lost, just listen for a bit. Start over if you need to.
Table of Contents
D0-1, two bows
D0-1, tucka
D0-1, hoedown
D0-1, triplets
D0-1, throw-away bow
Remember, this is a strong bow stroke followed by a release or lift off from the strings. Make it dramatic and flamboyant, as if you just played the last note of a concert before the the crowd goes wild.
D0-1, tremolo
Remember, tremolo is light, fast strokes in the upper third of the bow. I also like to think of this as “shimmer bow”.
D1-2, single bows
D1-2, tucka
D1-2, hoedown
D1-2, triplets
D1-2, throw-away bow
D1-2, tremolo
D2-3, single bows
D2-3, tucka
D2-3, hoedown
D2-3, triplets
D2-3, throw-away bow
D2-3, tremolo
D0-1-2-3, two bows
D0-1-2-3-3-2-1-0
Full Sheet Music
Bile ’em Cabbage down – bowing
First, set down the bow a minute and review bile ’em cabbage down with plucking. I suggest you memorize the tune if you haven’t already done so.
First quarter:D2-2-2-2 3 3
Second quarter:D2-2-2-2 1 1
Third quarter:D2-2-2-2 3 3
Fourth quarter:D2-2-1-1 0 0
Now, pick up the bow and play the tune. Remember to work on individual quarters if you need. Eventually, you want to play it continuously without stopping.
Bile ’em Cabbage Down – bowing
Bile ’em Cabbage Down – no fiddle mix
Once you can make it through the tune, I recommend you record yourself playing it for future reference. At some point in the future you may reach a plateau and say to yourself, “I’m not getting any better.” If you can listen back to this recording you will clearly see how far you’ve come.
Notice how gradually we learn things. If you practice in this incremental way, then you can learn anything. Seriously.
