I'd hate to think what the end result might be if I ever attempted to do anything based on what Michael CLeveland has done...lol...but I think it would not be pretty, as they say...lol.

And that instrument...what was it...vaelese...I don't think that's right, but whatever they called it...cool...I want one!!!!

Go for it, Lee...GBBlossom is a cool thing for sure and you've got your work cut out for you...play it for us one of these days!

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Originally posted by groundhogpeggy

I'd hate to think what the end result might be if I ever attempted to do anything based on what Michael CLeveland has done...lol...but I think it would not be pretty, as they say...lol.

And that instrument...what was it...vaelese...I don't think that's right, but whatever they called it...cool...I want one!!!!

Go for it, Lee...GBBlossom is a cool thing for sure and you've got your work cut out for you...play it for us one of these days!

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I doubt that I'll play it for the Hangout.. unless i'm Drunk and playing with WILD ABANDON!! (not yelling)..The instrument that Varelse plays is a Nickelharpa.. I have a friend locally who plays one.. Just like a fiddle but DIFFERENT...   Guess we could be the ABANDONED WILD ABANDON BAND????

Lee, are you playing the nyckelharpa or the fiddle? And is your band called WILD ABANDON?

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Originally posted by Woodcutter

Lee, are you playing the nyckelharpa or the fiddle? And is your band called WILD ABANDON?

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YES to all of that.!!! (just kidding).. My friend plays a nyckleharpe and at this time we have NO band.. we have ABANDONED our band due to that Damned Virus..!!!   Hey, what are YOU playing these days?

what kind of band abandons abandoned bands... oh, I got the person's name confused with the name of the instrument. That looks like a fun instrument. I always wanted a hurdy gurdy too...love stringed instruments...the coolest. If you get drunk you can play it for us here with WILD ABANDON.

I'd add a wild addendum but I can't think of one.

I'm the only one I know who plays the 3rd part.

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Originally posted by Peghead

I'm the only one I know who plays the 3rd part.

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I noticed that most people don't play that third part.. I intend to learn it but I want to nail the first two parts first..

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Originally posted by Peghead

I'm the only one I know who plays the 3rd part.

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Now that's an accomplishment!

BTW.. It is NOT me playing in either of those videos.. they are inspirations, however... I love how Michael skillfully moves in and out of the tune without upstaging the young woman jamming with him..

Polite jamming is an admirable trait.

Suppose everyone has thier own favourite version here's mine

Stu Bob doing what he does

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Originally posted by pete_fiddle

Suppose everyone has thier own favourite version here's mine

Stu Bob doing what he does

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That is an amazing version.. such WILD ABANDON..!! yet every note sounded intentional.. I noticed that the youtube video had 22 thumbs up, and one thumbs down.. How could anyone have given that a thumbs down!!!!  Some people just don't appreciate good music..

Cant imagine Stu Bob doing anything unintentional ...Music wise..... ...only 22 thumbs up....Wow. Maybe Stu Bob gave it the thumbs down himself because we should have bought the album ?

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Originally posted by pete_fiddle

Cant imagine Stu Bob doing anything unintentional ...Music wise..... ...only 22 thumbs up....Wow. Maybe Stu Bob gave it the thumbs down himself because we should have bought the album ?

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Hmmmm ..DAT sounz logical!!!

I have that record.

I pictured wild abandon to be something a lot different. They played with focus and skill. Their expressions were neutral. The music was great, but not particularly wild or in a manner I would equate with "throwing caution to the wind", which is what I think of the phrase "wild abandon."

That nyckelharpa is pretty cool.

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Originally posted by sbhikes2

I pictured wild abandon to be something a lot different. They played with focus and skill. Their expressions were neutral. The music was great, but not particularly wild or in a manner I would equate with "throwing caution to the wind", which is what I think of the phrase "wild abandon."

That nyckelharpa is pretty cool.

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I was referring to ME playing with wild abandon.. I meant that I pushed myself and my skill to try to get to a place musically that I don't normally go.. Play harder, faster, and with repetition, get better and better..

If I just play at all, especially the fiddle...it feels like taking a trip to the space station would feel like...sometimes the old band would laugh at how my face would just go beet red when I really got into a tune...my own personal wild abandon I guess...just getting the groove on is wild to me...lol.

Which reminds me.... There is this band where the fiddler is clearly out of control and playing faster than would be thought of a humanly possible.. I though" this gal is OUT OF CONTROL.. ".. I slowed the video down and was delighted to hear that she got EVERY note..I was so impressed.....Playing with abandon clearly does not mean, IMO, out of control..
WHICH reminds me of another anecdote... When I was young and learning to play tennis the instructor told me that there were two ways to do the serves.. One, I could carefully hit the ball and try to be accurate and let speed come with time.. OR, I could strike the ball as hard a possible every time and let accuracy come with time.. Either way would work..
Debatable I know... With Garfield's Blackberry BLossom, I'm doing a little of both, fast and slow......

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Originally posted by ChickenMan

I have that record.

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Yes!  I think I have all of their CDs, and have played a good many of their versions of songs - solo and in bands.  By far, my favorite BG band. 

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Originally posted by TuneWeaver

WHICH reminds me of another anecdote... When I was young and learning to play tennis the instructor told me that there were two ways to do the serves.. One, I could carefully hit the ball and try to be accurate and let speed come with time.. OR, I could strike the ball as hard a possible every time and let accuracy come with time.. Either way would work.

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I'm a "strike the ball as hard as possible every time" kind of guy.   

I can't think of Wild Abandon without thinking of Mac MaGayhay (sp?)

The first time I tried the Wild Abandoned method of learning a tune was when I hear Grace Forrest play Indian Ate A Woodchuck..:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKmd037Yxdg&list=LLphqjYZxxzjNbONVmY-0J7Q&index=568

I was determined to be able to play along with her.. It took months. I pushed for speed, and accuracy and eventually got to where I could play right along with her video..Of course I don't WANT to play the tune that fast but fast was the challenge...!! Now, the tune at any speed, is played often in our jams.

Here is am, an Elderly man, following in the footsteps of young people.. That is a good thing to do..

Did I mention that I was following in the footsteps of young people??  I sent to my fiddling daughter, Katie,  a video of Wildmans playing Garfield's Blackberry Blossom, hoping that she would want to learn it with me.. She responded with:  "DAD!!! I learned Garfield's Blackberry Blossom from Paul Tyler at the Chicago, Old Town School of Folk Music as one of my very first tunes!"...Duh... and here I thought it was hard.. Fiddling can be humbling...really!..................