Posted by Andah1andah2 on Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hi folks,
I just had my next lesson and by this time next week, I'll have my first month under my belt. BTW as you see by my avatar I live where it can be snowy. As mudbug and swing can attest, we had our first snow of the season last week but not enough to make a snowman yet.
Today's lesson consisted of reviewing my bowing, my scales, the bit of boil dem cabbage I do in the key of A with my Nash shuffle, and what I've learned on Old Dan Tucker. We had some more discussion on the loose wrist, which she rather refer to as a flexible wrist. I am still a long way from where I hope to be, but she said as long as my wrist isn't frozen I'm doing good and more flexiblity will come with time and practice. I hope to one day have a bowing style like Oldtimer (Glenn). He is awesome.
We worked on learning how to go from one string to the next by using the shoulder as a pivot. By using some index finger pressure on the bow, I should be able to move the bow off of one string and onto another without any squeaking or squaking. Going from one string to the next is something to practice. Also, we learned the second part to Boil dem cabbage down which I didn't know existed. This is done on the A and E strings so switching strings, left hand work and the shuffle are all practiced at the same time. As I get more confidence, I should try to increase the bpm on the shuffle. Finally, I should also continue to work on my 3 scale practice and also Old Dan Tucker, even trying to use double stops by getting the right bow angle and not pressing down harder with the bow. That's it for this week. We decided to keep the fret tape on for a while longer.
I got a CD of old time fiddle tunes this week from a Smithsonian folkways collection and I really like it. Great listening in the car and while working out. Some new songs that I really like are: Sugar Hill, Johnson boys, Beaumont rag, and Won't come until morning.
Today my fav fiddle tune is Sally Goodin. I really like the Eck man's version.
Well that's all for now. Until next time....
Stew
5 comments on “Lesson Number D, uh 4”
Cyndy Says:
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 @6:09:45 PM
A year, two years, and more will go by fast. Have you recorded yourself? I bet you'll see a lot of progress even in a short time. I enjoyed reading your lesson notes, by the way. I've never really thought about the index finger and changing strings but I noticed today that a subtle shift of my middle finger on the bow gives me a stronger sound. SO much to learn and so enjoyable, don't you think? Sounds like you're listening to some great music. I love Beaumont Rag and one of these days I'm going to be ready to learn it.
Swing Says:
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 @4:38:00 AM
If you like Sally Goodin, look up on youtube Junior Daugherty playing it. He is in a session with Johnny Gimble. Truely a classic version.
Play Happy
bj Says:
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 @8:10:20 AM
Have fun with Bilem Cabbage Down. It really is a great tune for a beginner since it makes you sound fiddley in a hurry, without too much strain on your skill level.
Shoulder? Huh. That wasn't the way I was taught. My teacher had pointed out to me that most fast fiddlers don't bow with the upper arm/shoulder, the action is in the lower arm/wrist/fingers, and used the doorjamb exercise to illustrate that.
robinja Says:
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 @11:10:36 AM
Good CD that you got. I think a little of this CD is more blue-grassy than old time, but it's all good. My favorites on this CD are some that you mentioned - Sugar Hill, Sally Goodin (Eck is the master!), and Won't Come Home Until Morning, all of which fall solidly in the Old Time camp. Keep up the good work!
Andah1andah2 Says:
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 @5:52:39 PM
Junior does an awesome version, thanks Swing. Check this guy's version too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I70cw_REwOQ&feature=related
Just to clarify BJ, I mention the shoulder as the means to raise the arm to reach the various planes for each string. Such as raising your arm and bow to get on the G string. I don't know if my description is correct. The movement of my bow is all upper arm and also trying to use a lot of wrist. Everyday the bow feels a little more natural in my hand. Thanks everyone.
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