Posted by fiddlepogo on Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Well, I practiced yesterday, but didn't git 'er done before the gig, which I really prefer doing.
And I wasn't feeling well to boot... I almost called in sick, but it's not communicable, so I figured I'd muddle through somehow.
As I often do, I started off with Turkey in the Straw, because the old folks recognize it immediately, and it gets them enjoying the performance right off the bat. Then I medleyed it with Golden Slippers... and on both tunes I was having the same problem I did at this gig venue <last> month- thin scratchy tone!!! Oh no!!! For a minute I thought of cutting short the fiddle segment.
Well, I'm more onto this bow's behavior now, so I just rosined up the bow (doh!) and it smoothed right out.. I ended up using the fiddle for more than a half an hour, finishing off with Tennessee Waltz... for seniors, ya GOTTA do Tennessee Waltz!!!
So the mystery is likely solved- with the old heavy bow, the extra weight could get me through a gig even if I forgot to rosin beforehand, but I can't do that with the new bow .I often get so involved interacting with the audience even when I'm setting up, that I forget little but crucial things like that! Add a little nervousness and too much pressure, and voila- bad tone.
One breakthrough was that after I rosined, I just settled down and decided to play the fiddle like I was playing for me... which meant I started to ignore the audience a bit more than I usually do. And it worked better! I've gotten very focused on performing, and that's fine for banjo and guitar- those are mostly so second nature I don't need the extra concentration.
But with fiddle, concentrating and getting the tone right has to be job #1, once I'm in the groove there, then maybe I can relax and interact with the audience a bit more.
So it wasn't just the new bow, it's partly a mental focus problem.
So, I'd say the break-in period for the new bow is officially over- do I hear cheering in the background? It's been just about a month.
So, I need to find something else fiddle-oriented to blog about, huh??? ;^D
Well, lessee, I DO have a fiddle gig tomorrow... ;^)
3 comments on “Yet another gig with the new bow...”
bj Says:
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 @10:07:34 PM
Good, blog about that! (thinking of the ONE thing that shouldn't be mentioned ever, lest that subject once again rise like Lazarus from the grave . . . )
fiddlepogo Says:
Thursday, January 28, 2010 @12:36:29 AM
Why BJ, THANKS, I'll HAVE to blog about bowing again- it's been like what, 2 months????
;^D
BC Says:
Thursday, January 28, 2010 @4:40:19 AM
Good for you! It's somewhat refreshing-for me probably not you so much- that others get nervous. I have just agreed (reluctantly) to play the nursing home circuit with some other church members. To read that really good players get nervous puts me a little at ease. "Tennessee Waltz" huh? I better get crack-a-lackin! Love all your blogs!
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