I love what you said "No matter the genre of music, the listener assimilates the sounds. If it is enjoyed, they react..." That is absolutely true!

As for vibrato, it too can be used in different ways. I meant to include in the video response that vibrato can be used sparingly, to occasionally add a little warmth and color to the sound. In a fiddling context, long notes with a little vibrato can be lovely. That was the approach to vibrato back in the Baroque Era. Vibrato was not the powerful machine that it is now, always on and running.

Beth,

I am soooo impressed with your abilities as a player and as a human. I’m amazed how you can jump from such a busy schedule to focus on an individual’s concern especially when so many are vying for you assistance. You must have more than 24 hours in a day.

The video response to my fiddle question was just perfect. It answered a lot of questions that were bouncing around in my head such as bow holding. When I picked up the fiddle (violin to the cultured ones) I just grabbed the bow and started swinging. Never considered that there is a preferred way to hold it. Then after beginning your lessons, and seeing how you recommend it be held, I noticed fiddler’s had a variety of bow techniques.

In your video response you hit the magic phrase: They are self-trained. Almost all of the folks that I talked to said they were self-taught (that includes being shown how to play by grandpa who was self taught). They weren’t too concerned on how the bow was held, just as long as it hit the strings. And trust me, in their defense; most can really hit the strings well.

As far as the left hand, you also nailed it. Almost all of the fiddlers held the neck with their left hand and just move their fingers to get the notes (since most of their playing is in the first position anyway, that’s not a problem). I also held the fiddle that way until you demonstrated the proper way to hold a violin. Now the neck remains out of my left hand except I just use my left thumb for a bit of counter force when playing some notes.

While mixing with a load of Bluegrassers at the Sheraton in Nashville last weekend, I almost got laughed out of town when I asked one of them about using vibrato. I was told that vibrato was unnecessary longhaired stuff that a fiddler doesn’t have to use. Later, I laughed to myself when I listened to a moving performance of a fiddler playing Ashokan Farewell using vibrato throughout the entire piece. I found out most are quite proficient with vibrato and other techniques of the violin/fiddle but they pick and choose how to play to their current audience.

I won’t sell the fiddlers short. I have seen a rather placid crowd simply erupt with excitement when a good fiddler takes control. I think the violin or fiddle is a wonderful median to the soul of the listener and the player. No matter the genre of music, the listener assimilates the sounds. If it is enjoyed, they react with a standing ovation or a loud “ya hoo.” As a player, those reactions make all the practicing worthwhile.

So for me, I’ll just continue working on your video lessons and progress as I have been. I may or may not skip some advanced stuff but if it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to learn vibrato. Right now my left hand and right hand are connected. If I vibrate the left the right vibrates too. That really makes a weird sound….cool…but weird. I love a challenge.

Thanks again, and I agree with Eileen, “Bless you Beth for the encouragement and guidance you give us all here.” I guarantee that then next time I’m Austin I’ll stop by and thank you in person. You’re the best,

Papa Bear

The beauty of studying classical technique is that you would be versatile and can play anything, in any style you want, but at the same time, there is a distinct difference between the "untrained" fiddly tone and the trained classical tone playing fiddle music. It would be a fun challenge to make a video looking at those both subtle and blatant differences. I'll see what I can do. Thanks for bringing up the topic.

Side note: I, for sheer fun, joy, and creative challenge, play in a "pop" band. We play chamber pop, which is essentially pop style music infused with classical style playing. Because I have that versatility, I can "riff" anywhere on the violin. I'm not limited to 1st position...I can use different bowing techniques which add textures not limited to the simple detache strokes that fiddlers are generally limited to.

I'm not trying to "sell" you on classical training, but want to toss it out as a good option. In any case, it will be a fun video response.

Papa Bear,

I feel this website is appropriate for either. I say that because most of the content on here as far as I can tell is about technique.

I feel you can benefit greatly here.

I would advise you that if you are serious to find a competent fiddler to teach you fiddling along with looking at this website.