Posted by brya31 on Thursday, October 29, 2009
I am starting to recover from my all time low of fiddle playing. I knew, after my breakdown a few weeks ago that I needed to get some help. I have been going to an old time fiddler for a while now, but he is not one to correct the way I play the fiddle. He always tells me that I find a comfortable spot and stick with it. Well, that wasnt working. My bowing was getting worse and worse, so I called a local orchestra instructor who plays fiddle/violin <---he plays old time music and classical. I met with him last night. Not 5 mintues into the meeting did he notice that I was pulling the bow around my body and my grip was so week that it was allowing the bow to move when I pulled it across the strings. He worked with me and gave me some advice on practice then ended the session by asking me to work on the Tennessee Waltz. He believes this tune will help me work on my bow skills. I was sooo relieved when I left. Someone who finally could tell me what I was doing wrong. I went straight home and practiced as soon as I got there. I had new life now. He charges by the half hour, but we were together almost an hour. I kinda think he enjoyed teaching someone other than a middle school kid, LOL I will still keep my old time fiddle teacher because he is like playing with my grandpa and I feel like I am his mentor, but I also now will keep the classical teacher too. I will go to the old time fiddler once a month and Go to the classical teacher probably twice a month. Neither one charges very much for those of you who are thinking Im rich, LOL I am just very thankful that I have the oppurtinity to have the two types of teachers in my life. I know many people on here dont even have the luxury of one teacher. Boy does it feel good to be back in the saddle.
5 comments on “New life on the fiddle”
FiddleCat Says:
Thursday, October 29, 2009 @2:52:47 AM
I'm Excited for you Rob. It makes a difference when someone can point out to you what it is your doing wrong, then they show you a better way to achieve it. I can't tell you how much I enjoy going to my lessons. I bet your right on your new teacher enjoying an older student. A lot of kids play and practice cause they have to. Us adults play and practice because we enjoy it. I love returning for another lesson and having all the home work he gave me down well. He loves it too. Watch how fast you'll grow now!!
mudbug Says:
Thursday, October 29, 2009 @2:37:55 PM
Congrats, Rob! It just goes to show, you can't keep a good man down. Those depressing times with an instrument are when the quitters, quit, and the people who tough it out will break through to the next level. This won't be your last time of trial, BTW. Wow! Two teachers! You must be special!
bj Says:
Thursday, October 29, 2009 @4:40:27 PM
Yay! I'm glad it's working out, and I'm glad you're sticking with both. I think they each have something to offer you.
brya31 Says:
Thursday, October 29, 2009 @4:49:32 PM
Yeh that is the tough part bj, they both offer different methods of help. I know eventually I will have to cut one loose, I wont be able to juggle both. : (
Rene Says:
Friday, October 30, 2009 @9:23:10 AM
Good for you. I wish there was someone like that around here, but I still see progress in my playing. I do find I play much better when standing, probably because I wander through the house and across the yard playing.....
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