Today's lesson

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Posted by Andah1andah2 on Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Well, lesson 3 involved showing my teacher what I had practiced during the week. She had me bow in front of a mirror and pointed out that I was not bending my wrist enough on the up bow. She stressed that the bow should sit "below the hand" and at the same plane as the thumb. When you up bow it should be like you're trying to wipe your nose with your wrist.

Also, more instruction on the hand movement used to create that real short bow stroke, as used in the shuffle. It really appears to be more finger swaying motion than wrist motion. This is tough to get and will need more attention. My fingers just don't sway in a fluid motion like they should. If I could just do it like my teacher :)

We then spent some time on developing rhythm by learning how to tap your foot in time and bow whole, half, quarter and eighth notes. I need to practice this and mixing it up between different note lengths. My foot actually gets tired faster in doing a toe tap. I find I can go longer with more of a heel stomp.

She asked me if I had plucked out any tunes and I showed her what I had taught myself with the first part of Over the Waves. She laughed and said that I was adventurous to start with something like that. She then brought back to reality and we started my old friend, Berl dem cabbage down. She showed me how to play it in the key of A and how to vary it by using different bowings and shuffles. Then she played it fast and with double stops and that lame intro song became a cool fiddle tune, further inspiring me to go home and practice.

So this week I need to practice:

a. holding the bow and using the fingers more when bowing

b. foot tapping or stomping in time, then practicing different notes

c. the shuffle and its use to play the cabbage song. Also, intonation on hitting the notes.

d. more Over the Waves, she didn't want to squelch my enthusiasm

By the way, I got my Gel rest for the top of my chin rest. I really like the way it feels. It's like having a living room couch for your chin.

That's all for now. Poor banjo.

Stew

My favorite fiddle tune today is Maple Sugar

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