This is a video of me playing. I need help with the speed of bowing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMYNQP6A7E0&list=UUnLrJZgr9OakvHCzDbe7BRQ&index=1&feature=plcp

Looks like your wrist is showing signs of becoming loose. The elbow is beginning to bend as well. You might want to use more bow pressure as you feel more comfortable. I still think you are doing well for a beginner, and I think your intonation is decent. You must have been around music alot. It is apparent that you practice quite a bit.

Is there a reason why you're using sawstroke?  In case you've missed the last 1,500,000 words on the subject (and how is THAT possible?)  I refer to up/down bowing, one stroke per note.  If fiddlepogo should comment on an appropriate bowing pattern, you should pay attention.  I'm not nearly the pattern maven he is, but something other than sawstroke seems called for here.  As a bowing exercise, the string changes while using sawstroke might have some utility, but it's clearly playing holy **** with your phrasing and speed.  The good news is that your tone is OK and WILL improve with bowing efficiency and your intonation is good. 

Honestly, I'd try to tell you a pattern, but that's not one of my skills.  I do hear one in the tune, and I know how I'd do it.  Trying to decipher fiddlepogo's patterns can be a trial for me.  Good luck to you.  Once you get the pattern you'll wonder what the fuss was about.

Probably a nice sounding fiddle there, by the way.  Hard to be certain, with that particular recording.

Most of that tune requires a "figure 8" bowstroke. This bowstroke requires that you use your wrist. Most of "Devils Dream" is done on two strings. Place your elbow on the arm of a chair or a pillow, and play the tune just using your fingers,hand, and wrist. Keep the bowhair perpendicular to the strings. The more you play with your fingers/hand/wrist, the easier it is to play faster. Try playing a tune or exercise, and play all the faster notes with your fingers,hand, and wrist. Play slurs and slower notes using your fingers,hand.wrist AND forearm. Just use your upper arm (i.e. elbow to shoulder) to position your bow in such a way that the bowhair remains parallel to the bridge. It is very hard to do this unless your wrist is relaxed and assumes the correct natural and ergonomic positions during upbows and downbows.

Stobbe's DVD "12 Things Your Right Hand Should Know" will provide all the information you need. You will not regret getting that DVD. It will provide more fundamental bowing information than most instructors.

I would say slow down. Use a metronome. Play it at a speed you can play it perfectly and perfect it.

Then speed up the metronome a couple of clicks and perfect it again.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat.

Each time you speed it up, you'll hit a bobble. Take just that portion and practice it again a little slower with the metronome, and speed it up before reintegrating it with the rest of the piece again.

Edited by - martynspeck on 07/19/2012 12:21:40

Hi Jimmy,,,, sing it! breathe it! slowly to be exact in the tune,,,, a day later get that fiddle out,, and sing it into the fiddle!! enjoy yourself!

Yer git'nit. Just play at it a couple times a day. Then play some other tunes too. Have some challenge and have some gravy (fun/easy) tunes every day.

Try playing closer to the frog. You won't have to move your right arm so much during the rocking which slows you down.

Your left hand is badly "pancaked", you should work on that more than speed.

Your doing good though for such a short time.