help for a beginner

[hokie_mel]

Hey all, I started playing the fiddle a couple months ago, actually like 3.. wow I cant believe I have been playing that long. I am self taught and getting pretty good, (by my definition, I dont sound like I am killing a cat now :D ) Does anyone have any pointers on getting me further? I would love any feedback on the matter. I never knew there were other creek fans as big as me! If anyone is in the Virginia Tech, Radford area let me know, maybe we can jam!

[babydoll1702]

How cool! I am also self taught. I do have a teacher now, just because I wanted to learn harder material that I couldn't learn it on my own.

The best advice I can give you is to LISTEN, LISTEN, AND LISTEN! Whenever you are jamming, don't be afraid to ask questions. Look at the fingering AND the bowing when you are watching someone else play. Most of all just fiddle the way you feel comfortable. Play songs that you love, bow the way you feel the most comfortable, and open up a place in your heart to love it. Playing fiddle is a hard task and a blessing from God. I didn' think I could possibly love it as much as I do, but let me tell you. I live to play fiddle now. :cool: Happy Fiddlin Always!

[hokie_mel]

Thanks for the advice, I am actually looking for lessons around me, but no such luck in the Booming metropolis that is Blacksburg, VA (not much here other than VA TECH). I men I am sure there are people willing I just have to hunt for them. I have been playing some pretty harder stuff, it just takes me longer. When I started out I wanted to learn the thechnique and that was really frustrating, because I just wanted to PLAY!

I cant wait till I can jam with others! Thanks for the advice, any other pointers would be greatly appreciated

- mel

[zelda]

Hi! Wow, I'm such a NickelCreek fan, and I didn't know that this site existed! When You Come Back Down is my absolute favorite song in the world. Anyway.
Along the lines of beginner help, I have somewhat a different situation. I've been trained classical violin for years, and I would love to learn to get into some fiddle music--I don't know much about fiddle music though. Does anyone have any suggestions of how to begin learning about fiddling, and how to fiddle? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
:)

[Fiddlechic Erin]

I've been playing the fiddle for 8 months now (7 months in mandolin). Babydoll1702 is completely right- LISTEN to a LOT of fiddle music! It's very inspiring! Some good people to listen to: Sara (obviously), Stuart Duncan, Rob Hajacos (plays for Garth Brooks-check out the fiddle solo in against the Grain), the late great John Hartford, and Alison Krauss.
P.S. once you start playing, you can never go back! ^__~

[zelda]

Hey, thanks for the advice! I'll totally look into those artists. Ooh, yeah, the fiddler for Garth Brooks is awesome! I'm going to have to do a lot more listning from now on...my violin teacher is trying to get me to listen to more classical violin stuff. Too bad he doesn't fiddle...I guess I'll have to learn it from the CD's![noise]

This is totally random, but I realy lie this face: [evil eye]

Bye :)

[zelda]

oops, i meant LIKE. I think it's funny. [evil eye]