FiddleCat - Posted - 01/01/2009:  05:26:36

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I just uploaded 2 waltzes I've been working on for about a week to help with intonation. I found they are helping with my timing also. I enjoy playing these, so I've played them alot. I have 2 other I just found so I'll upload those when I get them comfortable.

It's So Quiet Waltz
Tennessee Waltz

Friendly criticism please.

http://www.fiddlehangout.com/myhang....asp?id=4528

All She Could Sing was Fiddle Come Fee, The Mouse has Married the Humble Bee.

loy - Posted - 01/01/2009:  06:32:03

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I like them both, sounds to me like you are WELL on your way! Thanks for posting! Happy New Year! Loy

fiddle and clawhammer banjo:priceless

Jim - Posted - 01/01/2009:  09:06:09

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These are very fine. Excellent rhythm and intonation. You're doing great.

Jim Burke
http://fiddlehub.com (free online fiddle lessons with slo-mo instruction videos)

Tennessee Tom - Posted - 01/01/2009:  09:17:04

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I think your tone and intonation are pretty good! I'm no waltz expert, but shouldn't the Tennessee Waltz be a bit slower?

Cheers,
Tom

FiddleCat - Posted - 01/01/2009:  09:28:34

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Thanks All!!

quote:

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but shouldn't the Tennessee Waltz be a bit slower?

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I haven't heard this song for a long time. Till I heard the Jam I go to play it. This is about the speed they play it. I did listen to some youtube videos today that bj listed and they do play and sing it quite a bit slower. I'm not sure which way I like it better slower or faster. I like them both really.

All She Could Sing was Fiddle Come Fee, The Mouse has Married the Humble Bee.

Tennessee Tom - Posted - 01/01/2009:  09:35:28

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quote:

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Originally posted by FiddleCat

Thanks All!!

quote:

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but shouldn't the Tennessee Waltz be a bit slower?

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I'm not sure which way I like it better slower or faster. I like them both really.

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Good 'nuff for me!

Again, your tone is really good, esp true since it's just the fiddle w/o any accompaniment.

Dick Hauser - Posted - 01/01/2009:  10:16:34

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I don't know if there is a software problem or something, but the file I listened to was not being played at normal speed. For you old folks, it was like listening to a 33 RPM record being played at 45 RPM.

gulfguy

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Edited by - Dick Hauser on 01/01/2009 11:10:17

FiddleCat - Posted - 01/01/2009:  10:35:57

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Sorry gulfguy. That's gotta sound pretty bad. I just went and checked them out and everything is ok on my end.

Try other members recordings and see if it does the same thing?

All She Could Sing was Fiddle Come Fee, The Mouse has Married the Humble Bee.

Fidla - Posted - 01/01/2009:  10:58:05

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Very nice. Very clean tone - little to no bow noise!

Tennessee Waltz, I'm hearing an extra note I think it's in the third measure. There should be only 3 beats per measure.

The best way to learn to play a waltz is to learn the dance steps first...that way you know which foot to come down on and get the tempo and the feel it needs to have before you start playing. The accent should be on the 1 with 2nd and 3rd beats lighter.

______________
Adam R. Sweet
www.adamrsweet.com

FiddleCat - Posted - 01/01/2009:  11:39:21

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quote:

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I'm hearing an extra note I think it's in the third measure. There should be only 3 beats per measure.

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Thanks CelticAgent

Not an extra note...but I think I'm holding the 2nd beat too long. It's supposed to be a quarter note and I'm playing a dotted quarter. I'm using the first beat as a 1/8 note to and it should be a quarter. Thanks for pointing it out.

I have timming issues for sure. I'm ok if I have a metranome with me, but as soon I turn that thing off I just play it how it feels to me especially if I don't know the song. My instructor always reminds me to tap my foot. But that don't work either. If 1/8 notes come up my foot follows those as well.I can do it fine if I'm not playing the fiddle. Keeping the beat is easy then.


All She Could Sing was Fiddle Come Fee, The Mouse has Married the Humble Bee.

fiddlepogo - Posted - 01/01/2009:  12:00:40

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Yeah,
Amazingly good for a "novice"- all novices should do so well!

Intonation isn't perfect, but better than some professional fiddlers!

Left hand fingering is mostly confident sounding.

Tennessee Waltz sounds good, as is, to play with a group, but
for solo performance, you do want to get it at least a little slower,
and put more expression in the phrasing... but that's more of an intermediate thing.
Depends on how confident you feel whether you're ready to go for that.

Tone is very good for a beginner, but just a little thin- you may be using a little more pressure than you need to. But virtually all beginners do!
Experimenting with rosin may help- sometimes players press too hard to compensate for rosin that isn't gripping enough.
But this process of lightening up and getting better tone is a lifelong thing.
So don't sweat it- relax, have fun, let the bow do the work!

Michael- Old Time 90% of the time!

"It''s hard to take yourself seriously when you''re singing about chickens!"

http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1088
for mp3s, blog, and "Michael''s Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Hour" (hifi & lofi audio streams)

bj - Posted - 01/01/2009:  12:07:51

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quote:

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Tennessee Waltz, I'm hearing an extra note I think it's in the third measure. There should be only 3 beats per measure.

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quote:

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It's supposed to be a quarter note and I'm playing a dotted quarter. I'm using the first beat as a 1/8 note to and it should be a quarter.

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Well, we can say you're playing the OT crooked version . . . ;-)


^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^
Motto for the Week- Mottos are overrated.

Me on the Web --
http://doneinstyle.com
My inspiration:
http://www.pandora.com/?sc=sh14633812588807237

allenmack - Posted - 01/01/2009:  15:54:00

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Well done Fiddlecat, waltz time can be a real challenge, I think it's important to have the vocal version in your mind as the timing is critical, perhaps working with a rhythm guitar could eliminate that mechanical feel mentioned by BJ. But you have the melody and technique nailed nicely.

I noticed the same thing Dick mentioned.
If you click on the "title" of the track it plays back in FHO audio player at around 15% increase in speed. Makes it sound like a midi file, unnatural and keyboardish.
But if you click on the "download" it wil play in windows media player which is the natural sound and speed. Computers are stange cattle.

Allen





Play that wooden thing

FiddleCat - Posted - 01/01/2009:  17:09:10

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Thanks for all the nice comments!! You all set my ego pretty high so I ended up praticing just about all day.

I worked on waltes, 3rd position, shuffles, long bow strokes of 8 beats using scales. You name it as long as I heard of it I at least tried it. Except for that orcastra sheet music thing in youtube..lol. Not even gonna attempt that one.

Thanks Again

All She Could Sing was Fiddle Come Fee, The Mouse has Married the Humble Bee.

TimK - Posted - 01/02/2009:  06:49:49

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Very nice job ! To many fiddlers ignore waltzs but they are very benificial to one's over all ability to play with good control, timing and intonation.

TimK

_______________________________________________________________

Wrangle up yer mouth parts, drag yer banjer out, tune yer ole geetar till it twangs right stout, for the snow is on the mountain and the wind is on the plain, so we''ll cut the chimny''s moanin with a livelier refrain.

FiddlerFaddler - Posted - 01/02/2009:  08:47:14

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I listened to both waltzes, and I must say that I'm impressed with your progress. Given the detail that other commentators provided, I instead want to thank you for the inspiration you provide. Being a late bloomer myself, I am encouraged when others succeed as late bloomers.

With respect to waltzes, I never much cared for them until I began to learn the fiddle. I now love them, and have perceived that the waltzes separate the men from the boys and the ladies from the girls. There are many aspects of waltz playing that challenge the musician in a way that a typical old time fiddle tune can't. For example, the bow strokes are longer, and thus it more challenging to keep it perpendicular to the strings and to keep it from hitting the wrong strings. Having note of longer duration, more expression is required of the musician. When I was newer at the fiddle I was frustrated by my inability to produce the kind of sound I had in mind. With every passing day, however, I am ever closer to rendering the expression that I yearn to produce, and commensurately, the waltzes in particular are more satisfying to play.

FiddlerFaddler Michael

bj - Posted - 01/02/2009:  10:55:51

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http://www.fiddlehangout.com/forum/...OPIC_ID=6577

This might help you in future re jukebox issue.

^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^
Motto for the Week- Mottos are overrated.

Me on the Web --
http://doneinstyle.com
My inspiration:
http://www.pandora.com/?sc=sh14633812588807237