Posted by Andah1andah2 on Friday, October 30, 2009
Well, there was a post awhile back asking folks what their first tune was that they learned on the fiddle, or was it on the banjo??? I forget now.. Anyway, I started my first song today. My teacher said I could try and pick out a tune during practice. Well, I'm not counting Twinkle Twinkle. Twinkle, Twinkle on the fiddle is like Boil Dem Cabbage Down on the Jo. You need to do it, but you don't count it.
So thinking of a tune to start with that was simple and spread out at its bare bones. Over the Waves came to mind from listening to youtube clips. So I was able to punch out the first 15 measures to this tune just from memory or "by ear" I guess. It's rough right now, but it's my first tune and it feels like quite an accomplishment to play something recognizable.
Other than that, I tried using the door jam exercise (I actually just leaned my elbow against the wall) for a while and it is good practice to force the wrist to work. But I put in a good hour and a half of practice tonight.
So today my favorite fiddle tune is Over the Waves. Shiver me timbers.
On a side note, I need to ask. How many of you have figured out and played the fiddle/violin tune from "Young Frankenstein"? Come on, admit it!
6 comments on “Over the Waves”
mudbug Says:
Saturday, October 31, 2009 @2:59:32 AM
Nix on the "Young Frankenstein". Never saw it. I did figure out "The Godfather Waltz" though. It can be highly emotional when you play this evocative tune and think about the early demise of Sunny. Mamma Mia, only the good die young!
Mandogryl Says:
Saturday, October 31, 2009 @3:34:17 AM
I think my first tune to figure out was St. Annes Reel. Other than a G-scale.
Sounds like you are making good progress, and are having fun along the way.
bj Says:
Saturday, October 31, 2009 @10:34:58 AM
** sings ** AH SWEET MYSTERY OF LIFE AT LAST I'VE FOUND YOU!
Nope, never played it on the fiddle. One of the first "tunes" I played on fiddle though was from another fave movie, The Wizard Of Oz. There's a two note chant that the Soldiers of the Wicked Witch of the West grumble as they're marching around her castle . . .
mudbug Says:
Saturday, October 31, 2009 @11:50:17 AM
Stomp, Stomp, Stomp, Stomp......... "Oh WE love, the OLD one......... Oh WE love, the OLD one."
FiddleCat Says:
Monday, November 2, 2009 @2:55:04 AM
Over the Waves reminds me of the Warner Bro's cartoons I watched when I was kid. Waltzes are a great choice to start with. They have help me a lot with intonation and keeping the tone on slow long bow strokes. Which aids in helping with bow control.
I love the sweet sad sound of that violin in Young Frankenstein. There a quite a few classical tunes that just hypnotize me, and that's one of them. I have watched the movie many times just to hear that song.
Andah1andah2 Says:
Monday, November 2, 2009 @2:30:28 PM
Very true Denise,
I was introduced to so many classical tunes through Bugs Bunny and Tom & Jerry cartoons. Carl Stalling was one of the music directors for many cartoons back then and he was a master.
I can see how starting fiddlers can learn quite a bit by starting on waltzes. They are generally slower paced but cannot be rushed so you learn timing, and intonation is a focus because many notes are drawn out. I really like the Tennessee and Black Velvet waltzes.
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