Synopsis: What is this video about? This video offers visual instruction that will guide you in gaining basic technique on the violin...this video is not intended to take the place of a qualified instructor. It's more of an orientation to hopefully inspire you to take the violin, or fiddle, seriously. Again, since it is a visual methodology, it is not intended to take the place of written music or teach you how to read music. It is intended to instruct the very basics of both violin and fiddle. In fact, it not only teaches both styles, but helps clarify what the differences are between the violin and fiddle.
Fiddle Versus Violin: What differentiates the fiddle from the violin?
1. the approach
Fiddling consists of a tradition that dates back to the British Isles…a folk tradition that is based on folk music as opposed to classical music. This tradition was moved by dancing…whereas, classical violin has its roots in more of a listening setting. What really differentiates violin from fiddle is the style and approach to the instrument.
2. the set-up
A violin is a fiddle; a fiddle is a violin. Structurally, there isn’t any difference. Now, it’s not uncommon for a fiddler to sand down the bridge so that two adjoining strings have a flat relationship…this allows for an easier double-stop. Even so, the standard violin set up still allows for an accessible double-stop.
Whether you want to learn to play violin or fiddle it's recommended to gain a proper foundation. One that ensures that you develop good habits from the start. Violin technique has a long tradition that dates back centuries...due to this, violin technique is well established and allows us the best criteria in developing the optimal approach to learning. Yes, fiddle also has a long tradition; however, there hasn't been any set rules laid down for fiddling that would give us the building blocks we need to become a proficient player. Therefore, this video teaches the solid foundation of violin technique with the hopes that you will become proficient at playing many styles of music including, but not limited to, both classical music and bluegrass fiddling styles.
Videography by: PBlake Productions
PBlake.com
Cover Photography: Tradd Tidwell
Production & Design:
Blake Martin & Mickey Cochran
ENTIRE CONTENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Section I
Setting Up Your Violin
Adjusting the Bridge
Setting the Tuning Pegs
Priming the Bow
Starting a Cake of Rosin
Tuning Your Violin
Chapter I
The Bow
Chapter II
Holding the Violin
The Shoulder Rest
Proper Left-Hand Position
Chapter III
It’s all about good tone.
Applying the Bow
Scales & Melodies
Open Position Scales
Section II
The D Scale - “Dixie”
The Am Scale -
“House of the Rising Sun”
Lifting the Bow -
“Beethoven’s Ninth”
The Shuffle Bow
Vibrato - “Oh Shenandoah”
Your First Celtic Melody -
“Loch Laven Castle”
Section III
Showcase Melody by Jay Unger -
“Ashokan Farewell”
Used by Permission
©1983 by Swinging Door Music, RDI
For further info on this melody click here.
Section IV
Further Studies
“Old Joe Clark”
Practice Tips - In Conclusion
Content Further Illustrated Below:
A. The Bow:
- When first setting up the bow…
- Priming the bow...
- how to start a new cake of rosin...
- how to properly tighten the bow hair for maximum playing effect...
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- B. The Bridge:
- How to install the bridge…
- Proper Placement and Angle of the Bridge
- String Adjustment
- C. Set-Up for Tuning
- Making sure that the wooden pegs do not slip…using rosin and using peg drops.
- Tuning Your Violin with an Electronic Tuner
- Using the Fine Tuners
- D. The Chinrest
- Choosing to use a shoulder rest or not...
- Ensuring that the chinrest is properly seated and tightened…
- Height of the chinrest and its affect on your playing…
Bowing Techniques
- A. Proper Bowing Position
- 1. How to Grip Your Bow
- 2. Level of Pressure.
- 3. Angle of Bowing
- 4. Speed of the Bow
- 5. Elbow and Forearm Positions
- 6. Position on the Strings
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- B. Proper Left-Hand Position
- C. On using a shoulder rest.
It's all about good tone...
- A. Drawing the bow with good pressure
- B. Applying your first left-hand notes...left-hand exercises...learning slurs...learning your first scale...
- C. Your First Scale: D
- D. Your First melody: "Dixie"
- E. Your Second Scale: C
- F. Your Third Scale: Am and the Pentatonic
- G. Your Second Melody: "House of the Rising Sun"
Further Scale Studies
- A. C Scale
- B. G Scale
- C. D Scale
- D. A Scale
Violin and Fiddle Techniques
- A. The Vibrato
- B. The Slur
- C. The Tremolo
- D. Picking up the Bow
Further Fiddle Techniques
- A. The Shuffle Bow
- B. "Boil Them Cabbage Down"
- C. "Old Joe Clark"
Further Violin Techniques
- A. Lifting the Bow
- B. "Beethoven's Ninth"
- C. The Vibrato Revisited
- D. "Oh Shenandoah"
Practice Tips
As far as practice goes, it’s most important to have a daily procedure to follow:
1. Roadmaps: Always keep a roadmap in front of you...this can be in the form of books, videos and your own handwritten list of goals. This way you’ll always have a reference point of where you’ve been and where you’re heading. By assessing your accomplishments daily, you’ll find even more inspiration in knowing that you have measurable progress in your efforts. By keeping a list of what you hope to accomplish in the future, you’ll also always have something to aspire to...giving purpose to your studies.
2. Songlist: Keep a list of exercises and songs to practice daily. This will reinforce what you’ve learned and will increase your dexterity to take on even more difficult pieces later.
3. Practice Time: Always bracket your time for practice...if you can only afford 1/2 hour daily, that’s fine. Only make sure that you’re at the very least practicing daily within set periods of time. Otherwise, you may have a loss of incentive due to not seeing any progress.
4. Progress: If you feel you’re not progressing…in spite of your efforts to practice…do not become frustrated…What may seem like slow progress is in reality the period of time necessary to absorb a solid foundation.
5. Reviewing: Always cross reference your previous lessons with your current lessons. For example, make sure that you’re not finding yourself falling into poor posture and position habits. Go back to earlier points on proper positioning to ensure you’re on the right track. With this constant review you’ll prevent falling into bad playing habits…which, in the long run, can take far more work to break out of than the preliminary effort required to review.
In Conclusion
- Thanks so much for taking the time to study with me:
- I hope you’ve found this video to inspire you to continue your violin and fiddle studies. Keep in mind, this video has only barely touched on the infinite facets of learning violin. Always remember, no matter how accomplished you become on your violin, you must always think of yourself as a student of the arts. You will always find master violinists who will mesmerize beyond your scope. Even so, don’t become discouraged; become inspired. And, more importantly, remember not to work too hard at imitating others…for, it’s far easier to be yourself and develop your own style and approach than to be someone you’re not. Therefore, when learning a new piece try to incorporate your own interpretation through your very own style.
Remember To Further Your Studies by amassing a library of violin/fiddle books and videos…
Videography by: PBlake Productions
PBlake.com
Cover Photography: Tradd Tidwell
Production & Design:
Blake Martin & Mickey Cochran
Soundtrack Cuts used from "Pickin' the Cattleman's aka: Trekkin' the Gila":
Robert Napier: Fiddle & Guitar
Mickey Cochran: Banjo, Mandolin & Guitar
Click Here for Further Info On Robert Napier
Videography by:
Blake Martin & Mickey Cochran
PBlake.com Productions
Copyright ©2003 Mickey Cochran
All rights are reserved on this video for all audio files, all tunes, all photography and all videography. Please enquire if interested in reproducing this video for review...and, thank you kindly for not reproducing without permission from the author
Keep on Pickin', Mickey Cochran
Shot in the Wondrous Mts of
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Published by Wisdom of the Wood
For further info on other acoustic music instructional media:
www.wisdomofthewood.com
copyright ©2003 Mickey Cochran
Testimonials:
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 02:02:15 -0600
Subject: Re: Links & Fiddles
Hi Mickey,
Yes the fiddle arrived intact!! Thanks for picking me out a nice one. It arrived shortly before I had to go out of town. I was in Washington DC last week and I'm in Savannah, GA right now. I'll be home Friday and should get a chance to play with it some!!
I'll get your banner up on my site soon. Still rebuilding what we lost a couple months ago. Geeze life has gotten Soooooo busy!! I did get to watch your fiddle video and it is Excellent!!! So much better than anything else I've seen. I love the way you explain EVERYTHING!!!!!
Thanks again,
Dan
Subject: Great Violin
Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 16:32:21 -0400
Tradd, It's been a few months now that I got the Cremona SV-1500 violin, And I love it. I started playing about a year and and half ago on an E-Bay violin, It was good (o.k) for a starter fiddle,just to see if I could play a fiddle, I'm a guitar player for 25 years. BUT the SV-1500 is GREAT... sound 10 times better than my first one. My playing took a big leap forward. I also learned the tape you sent me, "Intro to Violin & Fiddle". Well my playing is going great, You guys are the best to deal with. I will being doing more bussness with you all.... have a great day Dave Arel
Frequently Asked Questions:
Subject: details about the video
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 16:25:32 +0800
Dear Sir, I wonder if your video tape explains the different bow strokes, like stac, spicato et. in slow motion for a beginner to follow. I am an elderly beginner and am afraid to go to a younger techer for fear of being rediculed I being slow of understanding. Aodeo like yours would be aboon
Please reply
joseph
Greetings Joseph,
Thanks so much for your interest in our violin/fiddle video. This video is a basic instructional video that leans heavily on methodology as opposed to teaching one song after another. Many bowing techniques are covered such as lifting the bow, proper bowing hand, shuffle bowing, proper bow angle, tremolo, etc. However, the violin bowing techniques you're asking about are not included. Even so, we are bringing out a series of videos on violin and hope to cover these bowing techniques in our sequel to the first video. Unfortunately, within a 2-hour framework, it's impossible to cover some of the finer violin techniques you're requesting. Keep in mind, we also cover many left hand techniques in this video including, but not limited to: vibrato, the trill, the slide, etc. Again, this video is, at the very least, a methodology video; whereas, most other violin instructional videos appear to be song compilations.
Wishing you the best in your research efforts, Mickey
