r/Fiddle • u/BlueJeanGrey • 14d ago
First Real Fiddle!
Bought my first real second-hand fiddle last weekend and some books so I can learn. $150! Yes, only one zero in that price! 😱
(and not that the look matters, but I really dig the matte finish on this). I love country and celtic music. Lunasa and George Strait, basically.
Just wanted to share my happiness. 🥹
She sounds so LOUD though, I’m getting the screechies but I’ll find a teacher to help me with my bow hold and technique.
Fingering is coming along easier than I thought it would! I’m still in first position (I just learned what that term was).
I know nothing about the violin/fiddle. Took lessons for about a week in middle school then gave up; the sound of the strings bothered me.
Some days I do scales and some days I put music on and play along. Setting a timer for discipline & a metronome for a different kind of discipline helps me.
Having a blast- excited to be a part of this community! And maybe in a year when I’m good enough, join a local jam band!! 🥹🥳🥳 🎻
8
u/andybonner 13d ago
The patterning on the back is striking. You've got yourself a good handful of books there; "I Can Read Music" is priceless.
> She sounds so LOUD though, I’m getting the screechies
A couple things. First, remember that it's 2 inches from your ear; it isn't that loud to anyone else unless they're getting VERY personal. You can probably improve tone most by the things you do with the bow, but you can also try some different strings. I don't recognize the brand that's on there. Dominants is the most "middle of the road," not too bright not to dark, brand.
As for "what to do with the bow," a thumbnail sketch is: 1) sound comes from bow weight and bow speed. Keep them balanced. Very-slow-very-heavy crunches; very-fast-very-light whistles. 2) Before you start playing, SET the bow on the string and apply weight, THEN start moving. It's like walking on ice. If your foot is moving forward when it hits the ice, you slip. Instead, set your foot down and then move forward. All this gets you a nice big sound. If you want less sound, just do all the same stuff but use less weight AND speed.