I’ve been working on learning to play chord backup. For weeks now I’ve picked up the fiddle almost every day and played 7 different chords on g and d strings and d & a strings. Chords a g d and c. Playing I’ll fly away and trying to sound ok playing on recored YouTube videos. It’s been difficult bc for a log time at first it sounded so bad. Now that I’ve memorized these chords, I feel like it sounds better. Jocelyn offered feedback that helped greatly on I’ll fly away. This opens up a whole new dimension of music!
Chords have been difficult but are worth it. I stayed at it by returning to rythem music that I enjoy playing when chords were not sounding good/frustration. Also, I’ve been playing chords on mandolin for fun.
Jocelyn, thank you so much for doing this! 🙂🙂🙂🙂 My Kerry Polka journey was unexpected and has been so rewarding in terms of learning new techniques! Thank you again for all you’re doing!
I used a shoulder rest for a long time, but just sort of got away from it. It just seemed to be unnecessary.
My favorite style of music is all of the above. Whatever sounds good and is within my ability to play. Before taking up an instrument, my personal catalog of tunes was very limited. Most all of the approximately 50 tunes that I’ve learned to play, I never heard of before learning.
My practice varies from week to week, with feedback being the main driver for weeks now. Metronome/timing, working on being in tune, working on rythem, bowing, all while trying to improve my Kerry Polka. Feedback is a massive help!
Here it is after many days of practicing and listening to other ppl’s versions of it to get the rhythm down better. Thanks for asking, Owen!
Thanks for your reply, Debbie! Jocelyn was working on bowing techniques yesterday on the practice session reminded me to concentrate on better bowing.
Recording helps so much to pick up on sound and techniques but it really does feel like performing to an audience. The best way I find to overcome this hurdle is by practicing over and over…and then it’s still like a tight wire act! Lol
