krrf
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Posts: 376
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Post by krrf on Nov 22, 2020 16:33:18 GMT -5
I was thinking of trying to learn the fiddle. The first instrument I played when I was a young whippersnapper was a violin; however I quickly dropped that as it wasn't cool (plus you can't play punk songs on a violin!). Now that I'm older, I wanted to do some busking, but I think it'd be much easier with a smaller instrument. I've always liked the way the fiddle sounds alone as it tends to fill up a lot of space. I think it'd be nice to play some bluegrass/americana music for busking (I live in a major tourist town).
If I try this fool's errand, how tough will it be to pick up? I'm assuming the left hand should be okay from playing guitar and I'll have to learn the bow skill, but is this a huge mental jump or relatively small?
Thoughts?
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Post by Mfitz804 on Nov 22, 2020 16:37:52 GMT -5
(plus you can't play punk songs on a violin!). |
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krrf
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Posts: 376
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Post by krrf on Nov 22, 2020 16:45:35 GMT -5
(plus you can't play punk songs on a violin!). |
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Post by Mfitz804 on Nov 22, 2020 17:33:28 GMT -5
Point made.
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Post by LesTele on Nov 22, 2020 17:50:13 GMT -5
I’ve playing the fiddle for almost 50 years. I started off with over 10 years of lessons and I don’t believe that it’s an instrument that is easily self-taught. If, however, you had some tuition as a “whippersnapper”, you may be able to summon up some old muscle memory when it come down to the basics of position, fingering and bowing. If you can’t remember anything then it may be tough.
On the punk thing, one of Joe Strummer’s post-Clash band mates was Tymon Dogg, a violinist. I kept playing because in Scotland we have a massive repertoire of fiddle tunes. It’s the same in Ireland and in the US too. Participating in a good-going pub session of traditional music is a wonderful thing. You can learn the basic sets relatively easily and keep up.
It should be easy to pick up a cheap Chinese instrument for less than the price of a mediocre FX pedal and give it a go.
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Post by roly on Nov 22, 2020 23:07:22 GMT -5
The wife has played violin for over forty years, and is a certified "Suzuki" method instructor. She also teaches fiddle stuff....Irish and "East coast" stuff.
For decades, I have listened to her students improve.
My conclusion is, it's a damn tough instrument to master.
If you have a go at it, one must understand that a violin is tuned in fifths, not fourths like a guitar (the exception being the B string)
So....the geography of a violin is not the same as the geography of a guitar.
As a bass player, I don't have to deal with the inherent geographic liability of a B string.
For me....simple is good.
cheers
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krrf
Wholenote
Posts: 376
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Post by krrf on Nov 23, 2020 8:37:07 GMT -5
Y'all have got me demoralized at the moment! Good to know the layout is different since it's tuned to fifths. I never would have considered that before and I guess I don't remember much. I'll have to either pick another instrument or consider taking some actual instruction.
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Post by HenryJ on Nov 23, 2020 9:32:52 GMT -5
When I was in college, I took a violin class one summer. There were three of us in the class. I was the only one who showed up for every class, so I actually did not learn very much.
I have a 12-year-old grandson who played the violin for three or so years at school. He was pretty good, but is not taking violin this year, which is rather disappointing, but a lot of things about this year are disappointing. He does play trumpet, and I think this is his third year. His mother said that his band teacher says he is a natural on the trumpet. He obviously had a head start from learning the violin, but I like to think he inherited my musical aptitude.
When he was in violin class, several of the other students dropped out. I think they were afraid they could not keep up with my grandson.
Okay, grandchild bragging over, back to your thread.
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Post by LesTele on Nov 23, 2020 9:43:57 GMT -5
Y'all have got me demoralized at the moment! Good to know the layout is different since it's tuned to fifths. I never would have considered that before and I guess I don't remember much. I'll have to either pick another instrument or consider taking some actual instruction. I’ll not have any demoralisation here. If you’re after a smaller instrument, why not try a mandolin first. The tuning is the same as the violin but you will be able to use your right hand guitar picking skills. It seems that due to the fact that you’re dealing with a fretted instrument and not having to use a bow, it’s much easier to teach yourself. If the violin still seems alluring after some time on a mandolin then you will have tunes in your fingers and can concentrate on learning the bowing and fretless fingering. Edit. I seem to have assumed that you are right handed. |
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professor
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Post by professor on Nov 23, 2020 10:05:19 GMT -5
I've also considered looking into fiddle/violin. I played violin and mandolin as a youth, then drifted off to guitar years later. Recently a friend, who is wildly capable with any stringed instrument, showed me a cheapo Chinese mandolin he had bought. The neck and fret board seemed really really teensy and awkward, so I have to assume the violin would feel even more so. I know I could pick up the feel of the instrument and bow, but some study would certainly be required to relearn, also, no frets! Compared to the past, a clip on tuner would be a tremendous help.
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michael
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Post by michael on Nov 24, 2020 18:19:46 GMT -5
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MJB
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Post by MJB on Nov 25, 2020 6:42:45 GMT -5
Have you considered a uke? They're not just for aloha music anymore.
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krrf
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Posts: 376
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Post by krrf on Nov 25, 2020 8:01:40 GMT -5
Y'all have got me demoralized at the moment! Good to know the layout is different since it's tuned to fifths. I never would have considered that before and I guess I don't remember much. I'll have to either pick another instrument or consider taking some actual instruction. I’ll not have any demoralisation here. If you’re after a smaller instrument, why not try a mandolin first. The tuning is the same as the violin but you will be able to use your right hand guitar picking skills. It seems that due to the fact that you’re dealing with a fretted instrument and not having to use a bow, it’s much easier to teach yourself. If the violin still seems alluring after some time on a mandolin then you will have tunes in your fingers and can concentrate on learning the bowing and fretless fingering. Edit. I seem to have assumed that you are right handed. I did try to fool around with a mandolin but I didn't care for the sound. I like the idea of the fiddle because solo, it can sound quite nice and project. If I was to play outdoors, I feel like I could probably fill a space with the sound without amplification. I feel like a mandolin is more an ensemble instrument and needs something to play off of (a guitar, a violin, etc). Good guess, I am right handed! |
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Post by LesTele on Nov 25, 2020 20:24:55 GMT -5
krrf
Let me know how you get on.
If you decide to try some fiddle I would recommend visiting a bricks and mortar fiddle shop. It will be tough enough learning to play but it may be impossible if you receive a poorly set up violin by mail order. There are always reasonably priced pre-owned student violins available due to the high dropout rate of would-be Paganinis.
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