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Bluegrass Improvisation Blog 01: The Beginning

Posted by BoFiddley on Thursday, November 4, 2010

I had a bit of an epiphany last week which resulted in my rushing to the stationers to buy a brand new diary. I then spent the entire next morning filling in the pages for the year to come.

I've been learning the violin/fiddle (I feel I have to call it both as I take classical lessons but play in a bluegrass band) for nearly six years now. Since that first lesson in January 2005 (which had me convinced I was both tone deaf and pinky-challenged) I have learned not only to play sort of in tune most of the time, but I've also made it through books 1-4 of the Doflein Method (appendices and all), tackled Bach's Sonata no. 1 (Presto - although not so presto the way I play it), and generally built up my technique (4th finger included) to a point where I feel almost competent. On the fiddle side of things, I’ve formed a bluegrass band and played loads of gigs, plus I’ve been going to sessions and building up my repertoire of fiddle tunes along the way.

However, the one thing I have always wanted to do is to be able to improvise. Not just in G and A, but in any key. I’ve had lessons on the subject from some of the best fiddlers around, and I’ve read loads of theory and watched endless YouTube clips. But it’s the one aspect of fiddle playing that seems to have eluded me thus far. Sure, I can flather my way through a solo if I get nodded in, but it’s a bit like being asked to ad lib in French - I can throw a few words together, but they won’t make much sense or sound very good. You wouldn’t mistake me for a Parisian any sooner than you’d mistake me for a red-hot bluegrass fiddler.

Why is it, I asked myself, after all these years, having learnt so much, I’ve made almost no progress in the one area that I find the most fascinating?

The answer is simple. Despite my rigorous practice schedule and meticulous attention to technical improvement, I have never set aside time to learn improvisation. All my instruction in the subject has been on an ad-hoc basis, a lesson here, a workshop there, and then I never get round to practicing it properly because there is always an impending lesson or gig to prepare for that gets in the way.

I’ve just read The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green. There’s one bit where he talks about setting goals and breaking them down into smaller goals. (And all the while I’m reading, I’m thinking, I KNOW THIS! I do this at work all the time! What’s wrong with me? Why haven’t I done this already?)

That was it. I decided: I’m going to learn to improvise once and for all. I know how much I can achieve if I put my mind to it. All I need is a plan. (Hence the new diary.)

My rehearsal schedule is now all laid out. Each week I alternate between classical and bluegrass. During bluegrass weeks, I spend 20 minutes a day on improvisation. Each month is dedicated to a different key. Within each key there are 10 distinct “lessons”, followed by a few days of further messing around.

I guess I’m writing this blog mainly to track my own progress. But what I would really love is to hear from other fiddlers grappling with the same sort of thing – or maybe you’re a pro with a few hints for me! Whoever you are, I think it’s always good to share ideas and insights, and hope we can have some sort of a conversation here.

My plan is to post a blog fortnightly where I’ll share what I’ve learned and to let you know how I’m getting on.

Mark my words: By November 2011 I'll be improvising in G flat!



10 comments on “Bluegrass Improvisation Blog 01: The Beginning”

mudbug Says:
Thursday, November 4, 2010 @12:41:05 PM

Hey, Angie! Sounds like you've got a good plan mapped out. Stick to it and you'll be improvising like a champ before you know it.

Rene Says:
Thursday, November 4, 2010 @3:47:41 PM

I haven't gotten it figured out either. Everytime I ask somehow its the same things "Just play something that sounds good". Keep us posted on what you learn.

Swing Says:
Thursday, November 4, 2010 @4:27:49 PM

what in hell are you waiting for..just play what you feel and damn the keys... believe me, you are on the right track.

Play Happy

bj Says:
Thursday, November 4, 2010 @5:25:08 PM

youtube.com/watch?v=BS55xq-uzJs

This guy, Van Cleve, has some instructional stuff out there. Playing out of finger position shapes on the fingerboard and simply sliding them up and down to where you need 'em is an essential skill for what you're trying to accomplish. He seems to do and teach it well, and it's none of this step one then step two stuff, it's useful approaches to VARY your playing. You might just find his teaching useful for what you're doing.

Of course, I play Oldtime, so I don't do any of that schtuff . . . ;-)

Have FUN!

bj Says:
Thursday, November 4, 2010 @5:27:10 PM

Oh, you might also find the discussion where I found this link to be enlightening:

fiddlehangout.com/topic/17690/#227616

Humbled by this instrument Says:
Thursday, November 4, 2010 @8:05:36 PM

One of our best around here told me to practice lics and riffs and kick-offs and slurs etc., so that you know or hear what you will play a split second before you play it-- and he plays at break neck speed, cleanly and precisely. For instance, in Bb simply bar the F and Bb on the E and A strings and then work various double stops and slurs right around in the pattern there; in B use that bluesy open E and A and slur right up to barring the B and F# and so on. Have fun!

BoFiddley Says:
Friday, November 5, 2010 @12:03:33 AM

Hey, everyone! What a joy to see all these encouraging and useful comments. Thanks!

BJ - About the Jim Van Cleve DVD... I LOVE LOVE LOVE this guy's playing and from the clip he seems like a great teacher too. I just have to be sure before I order that I'll be able to play a Region 1 DVD out here in England which is Region 2. It's a real issue here with DVDs and it makes me crazy!

Humbled - I like this approach. You've also just reminded me I forgot to include a "kick-offs" lesson for myself in each key (although I have allowed for end tags)! Back to the diary...

Bart Says:
Friday, November 5, 2010 @7:08:43 PM

I absolutely loved The Inner Game of Music! Keep blogging for us!

eerohero Says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 @11:35:10 PM

Theres so many ways for becoming to an exciting fiddler, the main thing is to have fun while xploring all these countless methods, some works for you , some not, if you had a good time with it, it was worth it.

Keep the funny ones....I`m kind curious about The inner Game of Music, whats this ? A Blog, book, DVD or what ?

wilford Says:
Sunday, November 14, 2010 @4:14:58 AM

A thorough study in music theory will help so much. Just knowing the notes in whatever chords are in the progression will clue you in to what licks to summon from your vast files. This works the best. Study theory. Best wishes. frederickwarner.com

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