Here is a lesson on how to play the melody for a Fortnite dance called “Step it up” on violin and fiddle. This is actually a popular Irish jig called “Swallowtail Jig”. Amazing that this old tune is now in the most popular video game on Earth. Learn more about how music is recycled in this article:Dueling Banjos and the Great Folk Process.
My student and friend Toby will be showing you how to play the melody on violin. He’s new to teaching, so please give him lots of love! If you make it to the end you’ll see us bumble our way through the dance.
Take it from the experts (not), the key to Irish dancing is to kick and jump like crazy but have your upper body and arms remain perfectly motionless. Give it a try!
Some of you might be wondering, “What is Fortnite?” It’s a super-popular video game in which you fight zombies and save the world. Who doesn’t want to save the world? And who’s not worried about zombies taking over! A fun feature of the game is that players can do different dances within the game whenever they feel like it.
Toby is an avid fan of the game and fiddling. So it just made sense that we combine these two awesome things that he loves and make a fiddle video.
First quarter: A1-2-3-E0-1-0-1-0-A3-1
Second quarter: A1-2-3-E0-1-0-A3-1-3
Third quarter: A1-2-3-E0-1-0-1-0-A3-1
Fourth quarter: A3-2-3-0-D3-2-3-1-1-1
Full-length play-along track
If you want to unlock full play-along track, full tabs, and sheet music, then sign up for a free trial membership. It takes less than a minute and will change your life for the better!
Here is a quick way for you to access the essential practice tools you need. Under each tab you'll find play-along tracks, tabs and condensed teachings to help you as you practice. This is an evolving idea, so let me know in a comment below if it could be better.
Here's a newer version of the Notefinder which is based on sheet music. If you're interested in learning to read, this will be an invaluable reference. I'll be posting lessons on this in 2020.
Note: the brackets indicate notes that are the same pitch but spelled differently. For example, AH3 (D#) sounds the same as AL4 (Eb). Without going into too much teory detail here, this will be determined by the key of the tune or piece you are playing.
Notefinder table
Here's he original table version of the Notefinder. Sometimes people learn in different ways...
Sawmill tuning Notefinder
This is used to find notes in Sawmill tuning (when the G string is tuned up to A and the D string is tuned up to E). If you're a beginner...best to ignore this! Learn more about sawmill tuning in the Appalachian Fiddle course.
Here are some common scales used in fiddle tunes. Each runs through a series of variations: two bows legato, two bows staccato, four bows, tucka (4 shorts, two longs), hoedown (1 long, two shorts), throwaway bow, triplets, tremolo.
D Major
G Major, starting on D3
A Major
D Dorian
A Dorian
Practice a tune with its scale (Kerry Polka is in G major, so practice a G major scale). Practice scales before, during and after practicing tunes.
Always return to a good sound, even if it means playing quarter notes on the D string. You can do this! You just have to remember to pause on practicing the challenging thing and just get a good sound on single notes.
Why do this? Because it will bring you deep joy. And it will build your confidence which will inspire further practice.
Here are a few technical reminders to remember as you practice.
Posture reminders
Curve left-hand and right-hand fingers.
Bend right thumb.
Bend right arm and wrist.
Use minimal energy.
Left-hand fingers land on tips, not pads. This makes for more precise playing.
Bowing tips
Take time to focus on bowing during each practice session.
Get the best possible sound on single notes using long bows, throwaway bow, rhythms. Even just a few minutes of this will drastically improve your sound.
Use less bow.
This is a rule of thumb for fiddle tunes, especially for when things are difficult.
Continue to practice long bows. This will improve your overall sound.
Play in the middle of the bow. This is the sweet spot.
Use no extra energy or force for double stops.
It's more a matter of getting the bow perfectly balanced between the two strings.
Again, playing with less bow will help with this.
Left-hand fingering tips
Keep fingers down when possible.
For example, if you are rapidly playing D1-2, it is easier if you keep D1 down while fingering D2.
Practice this on scales.
Practice Little Lift
Don't lift left-hand fingers too high. Let them just hover above the string.
This allows you to play faster, better in tune and with more ease.
If you notice you are tense and not breathing evenly, simply pause on what you're currently practicing and play a single note. Make it sound nice. See if your body is more relaxed now.
If you can play a single note with a relaxed body, then try more complex things: 2-note intervals, scales, simple tune phrases, whole tunes.
Keep returning to single notes as a way to center yourself, relax and enjoy the process.
Little pauses
If you find that sound is sloppy, try adding a little pause in between the notes. This gives your fingers time to find the next note. This is especially helpful with string crossing.
Great job guys !!!’n