I've yet to get the bowing like I want it on songs I play. Trying to imitate someone else is like trying to walk in the dark with no light.
Then there is playing like absolute garbage. Sometimes I sound good then most of the time I still sound crappy, honestly. I was going to the coming year get in fiddle contests for fun and for me that's what it would be about, but I sure don't wanna be the joke. Maybe I should wait another 4 years or something.
Frustrated and a bit discouraged at the moment.
12 comments on “Serioulsy Frustrated”
fiddlerd Says:
Thursday, December 13, 2012 @11:56:28 AM
Join the club!
Mandogryl Says:
Thursday, December 13, 2012 @1:56:59 PM
I once thought it would be fun to enter a fiddle contest, after about two years of playing. I am sure glad I didn't. But on the positive side, there usually are some pretty good jam sessions at fiddle contests. I would attend anyway, and bring the instrument along.
Rene Says:
Thursday, December 13, 2012 @2:06:15 PM
Frustrated and discouraged seems to come hand in hand with fiddle playing. Don't give up, you will have a good day and it will be worthwhile. I find when I am at my lowest and most disgusted with it all , I am getting ready to step up a notch and notice an improvement in my playing....
"The darkest hour is just before dawn"
boxbow Says:
Thursday, December 13, 2012 @3:11:24 PM
Frustrated and discouraged? Here I am at my computer instead of at my local Thursday night jam. You bet. And I was doing so well, too! How is that possible? Gotta go jam, I guess. Devil take the hindmost.
MOFiddlin Says:
Thursday, December 13, 2012 @4:06:12 PM
I'm definetly am not quitting. I love the fiddle too much. I'll get through it.
mudbug Says:
Friday, December 14, 2012 @3:25:53 AM
John, you play other instruments, which helps with picking up fiddle, but also raises your expectations of progress. Two years on guitar and bass and you feel pretty good about your progress as you make large jumps in ability. In my case, the fiddle progresses in milimeters. I'm coming up on 4 years and am just STARTING to feel like I'm making some progress and see how far I have to go. It keeps you humble as a musician.
MOFiddlin Says:
Friday, December 14, 2012 @8:28:12 AM
True. I've played guitar the longest and half my life. So I thought when I picked up the fiddle I'd be years ahead and in some ways I was ahead, but fiddle is the ultimate challenge of patience. I don't see how some become so good at it so fast while I am struggling. So, yeah my expectations were pretty high.
nancymae Says:
Friday, December 14, 2012 @6:47:38 PM
Oy...needed this blog post tonight....I have been playing a little over 2 years...and I sound better than I did two years ago...but I have my wonderful squeaky, crunchy moments....like tonight.....been crying for most of the day, heart going out to all those who lost children...just couldn't get into playing Irish jigs today. Should have just played some slow songs...or maybe Amazing Grace.
I have noticed that my attitude has alot to do with how I play....and when I get frustrated, it just gets WORSE!! When that happens, I get up and walk around a bit, or do something else....like the dishes or take out the garbage..and then when I sit down again to play, I don't have a plan, I just play for fun...and I start sounding better!
My two cents. (oh, I also have my fiddle lesson, and usually the night before, or even a few days before, I play HORRIBLE....performance anxiety to the MAX!).
Be more stubborn than that fiddle!!! And, of course, ENJOY!!
MOFiddlin Says:
Friday, December 14, 2012 @7:07:53 PM
Never thought of that, Nancy. If you're frustrated it gets worse. I didn't play today until about an hour ago. Just giving myself a break because I was frustrated and I calmly just played some tunes and didn't really think about much. Juts played and how much I love the fiddle.
nancymae Says:
Monday, December 17, 2012 @6:03:40 PM
Awesome!!!
Merry Christmas!!! (Hint...play some Xmas music on the fiddle...much of it is very easy to play!)
fiddlerjoebob Says:
Thursday, December 27, 2012 @7:33:47 AM
I think, if you have a bow and a fiddle, and regularly draw the bow across the strings for pleasure, you are, more than likely, a better fiddler than most of the people you might meet on a normal day. I said "most."
Happy New Year
MOFiddlin Says:
Thursday, December 27, 2012 @10:07:29 AM
True. I guess I'm better than someone, somewhere in the universe.
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