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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.
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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