I’ll show you had to add variation to the basic version. Some things you fiddle with:
Double stops
Melodic variation
Slides
{demo}
{Vimeo embed}
Video downloads are available to paid subscribers.
I recommend taking the beginner lesson first: [tuneName with link]
If you are a more advanced player, this might not be necessary, though you might want to look at the basic version anyway because it will help you to hear the essential melody.
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Preparation
Warm up with a _ major scale with variations.
{embed scale}
Practice the scale and phrases from the tune (once you’ve learned it) with a D drone:
{embed _ static drone mp3 player}
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Learning chunks {tune lessons}
I’ve made some “Learning Chunks” to help you learn more easily. These focused exercises contain sheet music, tabs and mp3 loops to guide you on your fiddle journey.
Warm-ups
Key interval: tab
{interval mp3}
Warm-up exercise #: tab
{tuneName_exercise # mp3}
Practice just the rhythm on an open string. Also, try clapping it.
↓
A part, first quarter
tab
{sheet music snippet, mp3 snippet}
Simply playing this is a good ‘small win’. Make sure you can loop it continuously before moving on to the next quarter. Take this approach with everything you learn.
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A part, second quarter
tab
{sheet music snippet, mp3 snippet}
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The rest of the learning chunks are available to paid subscribers, along with full play-along tracks with fiddle at high and low volume (so you hear yourself more), full tabs, alternate variations and full sheet music. Thanks for your support ?
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Let’s practice! {technique lessons}
Exercise
{tabs/ sheet music snippet}
{mp3}
The rest of the exercises are available to paid subscribers, along with full sheet music. Thanks for your support ?
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If this lesson was helpful, then add it to your Master Practice List so that you’ll remember to practice it tomorrow:
<script src=”https://ofcb.co/dRoXrP.js”></script>
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Connections / Further Practice
Related Lessons
[lessonLink]
Other versions on Youtube
[Youtube embed]
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Return To Top Of Module # >>
Practice Toolkit
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.
