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Posted by fiddlebarb on Saturday, August 1, 2009
Today while I was in Lansing I stopped at Elderly's and picked up some new strings for my fiddle. I had bought my fiddle used and had determined that the stings that were on it were the Red label strings. I also had no idea how old the strings were, so I decided new strings of better quality wouldn't hurt. After reading the forum posts I decided to try Prim. So far I do like the way that they sound, will give it some time and see if I am still happy with them later on.
I am also planning on Wednesday to check out an Old Time Jam that I found out about in East Lansing, I am planning on bringing my fiddle and hammered dulcimer with me. At this time I still don't feel that I know enough on the fiddle to be able to survive a jam with it solely, but I am hoping that I may be able to make some connections with some other fiddle players who would be willing to impart some knowledge to a beginning fiddler. Also another trip to Elderly's is planned for on Wednesday to check out the instructional material that they have available. One of the interesting things for me is to see the number of people from other states on this site that recommend Elderly's. It is an amazing music store and the only one that I have been able to find locally that has traditional folk instruments available, unlike the music store in my little town that seems to focus only on guitars and pianos.
5 comments on “New Strings and other stuff”
Mandogryl Says:
Sunday, August 2, 2009 @3:21:19 AM
Have fun at the jam. If you don't feel up to the music and tempo sit toward the back and just try to find your way by ear. Eventually some veterans will strike up a conversation with you and you will make new fiddle friends which will be most helpful. I have attended many bluegrass jam but with mandolin, and sometimes guitar. I have also taken my fiddle, but the speed in which they go at the music was too much for me. I sat in the back, out of the way, and just tried picking up the tune. Still had alot of fun, though, and some of the fiddle players came over and had lots of advice.
One things is for sure: you will enjoy yourself. And you are so lucky yo live so close to Elderly. Re strings, there are so many that I have no idea where to begin to advance past the Red Label brand. My instructor said she uses Thomasik Dominants, so I will eventually go that route.
I like your enthusiasm.
bj Says:
Sunday, August 2, 2009 @5:26:57 AM
Prims sound just a bit harsh when you first put them on. They mellow within about a week, so you'll probably like them more as they settle in. They also hold up to crosstuning (which the Dominants don't!)
I've been playing for less than two years and started my own OT jam. I encourage EVERYONE to play, no matter the level. One gal who showed up at my jam with no fiddle (hers was being set up) was handed my crosstuner and told to find the open string sounds as we played. She did just that. That was a couple months ago, and she's since found a teacher and taken a couple lessons. She comes to every jam since her first one and finds where in any tune the open notes are. You might think that's not going to get you anywhere, but it does. It's the beginning of ear training. Once she starts playing scales she'll automatically identify the scale runs in tunes we play, and add that many more notes in. Before you know it she'll be picking up bits and pieces of simple tunes on the fly.
Don't feel self conscious. OT jams are structured so that you're beginner efforts are hidden behind a whole wall of sound. Nobody's hearing your mistakes, they're too busy listening to their own!
fiddlebarb Says:
Sunday, August 2, 2009 @6:22:07 AM
LOL that is so true about OT jams, I have experienced that myself while playing my dulcimer, and have gotten a start on learning tunes that way. Will have to try it with my fiddle, although I am sure it has a louder voice than my dulcimer. Bj thanks about the suggestion of finding the open notes of a tune, my ear training can always use more work. Was proud of myself last week when I was able to figure out how to play the A part of Hanged Man Reel on the fiddle, eventually with practice I should be able to figure out more by ear.
bj Says:
Sunday, August 2, 2009 @9:49:37 AM
You can try the open note thing with any tune playing, from the internet radio or the FHO jukebox, it's really a great place to start. I started Nancy doing that too, and she's now playing probably a dozen tunes, and can pick up a tune directly from me if I play it really slowly. You can also slow down tunes (mp3 files) in Windoze Media Player or use Best Practice or Amazing Slow Downer software.
fiddlebarb Says:
Sunday, August 2, 2009 @10:07:45 AM
thanks bj will definitly need to give it a try before Wednesday, over the years I have learned how to survive jam sessions with my hd, now to learn how to do so with my fiddle :>D
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