The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Miscellaneous Rumbles: Seeking Violin/Fiddle and Guitar Practice Advice

Seeking Violin/Fiddle and Guitar Practice Advice

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- Rated: 44 ↑
Dec 2, 2007 9:19 a.m. Jeff O(Behave):

2 topics, really, but I only want to track 1 thread.

My barber wants to buy a fiddle to learn how to play. Not knowing the difference, is there any difference between a bluegrass fiddle and a standard orchestral violin? I don't think so.

Second - I'm trying to learn some country / Nashville style picking. All of the instructional DVD's show the licks played at 250 BPM (or some other wild ass speed). I'm barely halfway there. And the licks just don't sound the same at half speed.

Other than setting my metronome 1 step higher every practice session, does anyone have any advice on how to build up speed? I use alternate picking and chicken' pickin' to cheat where and when ever possible.
- Rated: 18 ↑
Dec 2, 2007 9:41 a.m. cgs:
Fiddle/violin = practically the same thing. I think a bluegrass fiddle has its bridge slightly flatter, to make jumps between strings easier, but apart from that they are the same (I can play gypsy/bluegrass stuff with my 'orchestral' violin). If your barber has the cash, encourage him to buy an older (1900 or before) violin. Not only will it have a richer, warmer tone, but it will keep its value and increase over time (much like a vintage guitar).

Tell him to play a few and choose the one he likes the sound of best.
- German violins generally have fuller bass tones (mine is a German violin). Generally the cheapest way to go.
- French violins generally have a smoother, clearer high end. More expensive than German fiddles (generally).
- Italian and English violins are more decorative and are good in all areas (generally). They are also (usually) several times the price of a good German or French violin.
As for the guitar, start slow and build up the speed gradually.
- Rated: 51 ↑
Dec 2, 2007 9:51 a.m. The Norm:

I think a bluegrass fiddle has its bridge slightly flatter, to make jumps between strings easier..."

That is correct.

You might want to invest in band in a box instead of a metronome. Does the same thing but sounds more like a rhythym section and makes the slower phase more tolerable and the speed can be moved up in increments.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Dec 2, 2007 9:48 p.m. IlovetheRamonesandShostakovich:

yup, I agree completely with everything cgs said, although if you get a new handmade instrument from a good maker, it will also increase in value, and the sound will improve more and more as you play it.
- Rated: 56 ↑
Dec 2, 2007 10:02 p.m. otterbean:

The difference between a violin and a fiddle is where they are played.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Dec 2, 2007 10:10 p.m. Skinny Jim:

Come on guys, everyone knows that a violin has 4 strings, while a fiddle has four SHTRANGS!
- Rated: 25 ↑
Dec 2, 2007 11:57 p.m. donwood:

I bought a J. Juzek violin from Metropolitan Music. Guess its OK. I figure all the bad sounds right now are ME. I've seen on instructional tapes that some fiddlers flatten the bridge and some don't. I am still learning and considering finding a teacher. Thought 4 sthrings (?) would be easy. LOL. Mr Juzek said his line ( read less expensive )($600 range) is made in China under their supervision. Any comments ? Seems well made and stays in tune very well but I sure have not played many. Any comments appreciated. Don ( I want to learn the fiddle ) Thanks
- Rated: 18 ↑
Dec 3, 2007 11:16 a.m. cgs:

Don, find a good teacher and practice regually. If you can read music and have a good understanding of how music 'works' then you should pick it up without too many problems (although it is a much more challenging instrument ((initially)) than the guitar IMO).

The violin sounds fine, got any pictures?
- Rated: 25 ↑
Dec 3, 2007 12:14 p.m. donwood:

cgs, Thanks. Have taken music thory but not real good at reading music. Have found a site that has tab for violin/fiddle. ( www.fiddleguru.com ) Troy6120 is coming up here tomorrow and I will get him to show me how to post a pic.Ha. I am really terrible on computers ! It is fun learning to fiddle tho'. Thanks. Don
- Rated: 25 ↑
Dec 10, 2007 4:47 p.m. donwood:

Try to get pic.
- Rated: 25 ↑
Dec 10, 2007 4:52 p.m. donwood:

Maybe got pics
- Rated: 25 ↑
Dec 10, 2007 4:56 p.m. donwood:

I'm really gettin' too old for this computer stuff ?? Not the best bookmatching but good neck, sounds OK for a Juzek chinese fiddle !!
- Rated: 18 ↑
Dec 10, 2007 4:59 p.m. cgs:

That looks pretty solid Don! Nice grain on the back and sides. What strings are you using?
- Rated: 25 ↑
Dec 10, 2007 5:23 p.m. donwood:

Thanks cgs, I put T-I Dominant ( medium), hope I said it right. I got a Jenny Lester DVD from learnroots.com and she recommends Perlon ( ?? ) I don't think it's a brand but a material, is that correct ? Also made sure to ger a medium priced bow ( around $170 range ). Making progress and I like the tab music. Like you said - Practice , Practice.. Thanks. Don

I'm happy I finally learned how to get a pic. up. Only took 3 years !!! hope fiddle goes quicker. Ha
- Rated: 18 ↑
Dec 10, 2007 5:26 p.m. cgs:

Ha! Dominants are good, any decent quality strings are fine really. Enjoy!
- Rated: 41 ↑
Dec 13, 2007 9:38 p.m. bwallace1:

hey Don, I think I still remember how to play "Down Yonder". if you learn it , I'll accompany you on my guitar when I come down there.brent
- Rated: 25 ↑
Dec 14, 2007 1:49 a.m. donwood:

Hey Brent, is that the " way down in New Orleans " version ? We can do that. It is about 40 BPM isn't it?? I can't Cajun fiddle yet, give me about another year - or a fifth Jock Danielle. Whooee . Don

Edit; where dem banjeaux Brent ??
- Rated: 41 ↑
Dec 14, 2007 6:00 a.m. bwallace1:

Nope. it's an old fiddle tune. I had a distant that played "old time" fiddle that played it. I'll see what I can do to find you a version of it.brent

re-Edit: only if dem banjeaux got 6 strings and look and sound like dat der geetar.
- Rated: 44 ↑
Dec 14, 2007 6:04 a.m. Jeff O(ne And Only):

NEED NEW ADVICE

Now I want to jump into the lap steel market.

What advice do you guys have for that? I want to buy a nice, collectible lap steel - do I buy Fender, Gretsch, Gibson, OTHER?

No clue on this one. But I just want something to noodle on, and to hang onto as a sort of investment.
- Rated: 49 ↑
Dec 14, 2007 7:40 a.m. GuitarFarm:

My, you do jump around, don't you? Have you considered that perhaps you are bi-polar. Get it? Bi-"Pole"r.
- Rated: 57 ↑
Dec 14, 2007 7:58 a.m. Curt:

Me thinks that if an old guy thinks he wants to play violin then, for the sake of others, suggest a Yamaha silent model that after he gets the squeaks out can be plugged into an amp.

They come with headphones!

My daughter was a gifted pianist and played the cello. She had both an acoustic and electric cello that sounded great but would allow her to play it at all hours.

http://www.abc-music.com/silentvn.html
- Rated: 20 ↑
Dec 14, 2007 8:11 a.m. Century Bob:

Jeff, the metronome is your best friend but how you use it makes a difference. Just bumping it up on step is not enough. Set a comfortable pace and get the licks locked in your muscle memory. Then bump it up three speeds at a time. If you start to trip up set it back one speed.Keep this pattern up as fast as you want to go. This method my teacher showed me really works. I was amazed at how fast I really could play.
- Rated: 44 ↑
Dec 14, 2007 9:55 a.m. Jeff O(ne And Only):

Curt - my barber is a lot younger than me (32).

Century Bob - that sounds like a great idea.

GF - it' gonna be months before my open tuning Tele is done, so I thought a steel might be a good way to noodle around with slide for some recording we are planning on doing after the first of the year.

I'm gonna do some Bill M mods on my Blues Jr. in preparation for getting my Lion VII from Kendrick.
- Rated: 49 ↑
Dec 14, 2007 4:24 p.m. GuitarFarm:

Just bustin' your chops, Jeff.
- Rated: 44 ↑
Dec 17, 2007 7:26 a.m. Jeff O(ne And Only):

Has anyone used a TASCAM MKII guitar trainer? They were on sale for $80 on MF so I bought one yesterday. I'm hoping it will help me figure out how to better use a metronome. I've never been good with one, and there's a trick to it I just never got.

I think I've found a new teacher who has them cool country licks down. Maybe he'll be able to help me with the metronome, too.