DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online fiddle teacher.
Monthly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, fiddle news and more.
The other night I ask my instructor to give me some help with my ability to play in the background at the local jam session. I told him that I really have no idea if I am choppin the chords in rhythm and if I am even choppin at the right time. Keep in mind I have never really been exposed to playin with others and the fiddle is my first instrument, so understand all the fundamentals has been a real challenge. He started playin his fiddle and told me to chop where I feel that it would be appropriate. I did...not really knowing if I souded right at all. He said your foot was tapping perfectly with the beat and my chop followed in perfect timing. Hell, I never even noticed that I was tappin my foot. I couldnt help but be proud of myself for finally starting to get a feel for the rhytm and beat of a tune without having to sit there and try and figure it out in my head. I have always felt that if you can learn to get the rhytm and timing down without even thinking about it, you can finally roll over off your back and get to crawling a bit faster. Hopefully my next step will be to shoot the passifer out of my mouth as I try to stand up and grab the coffee table, hehehhe
6 comments on “Things are sinking in finally”
Cyndy Says:
Thursday, February 4, 2010 @6:33:25 AM
Nice!
bj Says:
Thursday, February 4, 2010 @6:39:06 AM
YAY!!!!
Though it's hard for those of us who had past musical experience before taking up this demonspawned instrument to truly understand, I do know it's been a whole lot harder for you than for folks like me. You have no clue how much I respect you for sticking with it despite that HUGE mountain of information, the myriad physical skills and other skills you've had to learn, and the amount of time needed to do all this, along with raising your kids and working a full time job.
You, my friend, are a WINNER.
brya31 Says:
Thursday, February 4, 2010 @7:56:17 AM
Thanks Cythia and BJ! Glad I have had you two along my side on this journey!
sugrstky Says:
Thursday, February 4, 2010 @8:28:12 AM
Great story! I had a different, yet very similar situation. I have played guitar my whole life, but the fiddle for only a couple years. I was tapping my foot like a guitar player -- on the off beat. It was driving my teacher crazy! I really had to work hard and learning to tap on the one. Keep playing, take out the pacifier and go for it! You got nothin' to lose (but maybe a little dignity for a few moments) cause most players I know really respect players who put it all out there and aren't afraid to sound bad -- knowing they'll sound much better that much sooner!
robinja Says:
Thursday, February 4, 2010 @3:04:36 PM
Sounds like you can rightly call yourself a musician! Congrats!
Rene Says:
Thursday, February 4, 2010 @4:25:46 PM
Yeah, clap clap. I'm finally getting (after about 3 or 4 years) the timing thing down. It took finding a good rhythm guitar player working with me. So glad you have stuck with it.
You must sign into your myHangout account before you can post comments.