Hi there all.
I have just started learning the fiddle. Litteraly. I was just wondering what are the best traditional tunes to start off with. I usually pick up an instrument pretty quickly but I want to take my time with the fiddle and get it right. Any suggestions?
Warning: If you go to a session they will probably play these tunes too fast for a beginner (some would say they just play them too fast period). Play them on your own quite slowly, focusing on even tempo, smooth bowing and good intonation.
If you really want to "get it right", go find a suitable teacher.
Your profile suggests that you're in Tipp (unless I'm much mistaken), so you should have access to dozens of good fiddle teachers within range.
I don't think there is any single "right" way to play the fiddle, but there are a number of "wrong" ways that can at best slow your progress, and at worst lead to physical injury (like CTS, for example), and the last thing anybody wants is to have to put it down just when you've spent years successfully learning to pick it up.
A good teacher will smooth your progress, and help you learn quickly without making the kinds of mistakes that will get in your way later...
I have been finding that recently I have given up even keeping chords for the speed demons. Butterfly played at 210+ ruins the tune, same with many others. The are expressions, not a test on how fast your brain - hand coordination is.
I have a very bright and resonating fiddle and play with this in mind. Unfortunately there is a bodhran play who is over enthusiastic and loves to play with great ornamentation and loudness. Unfortunately he also likes to sit beside me and play so loudly that I cannot feel my fiddle let alone hear it. So while I dont begrudge him enjoying his instrument and the music, I ask that a little thought is taken. Percussion doesnt mix with strings or woodwind in seating arrangements.
Just read your profile, didn't realise you were in Tipp. I'm in Limerick. If you haven't found a teacher close to you, drop me an email and I can give you a few pointers.
Good starter jigs (after the more basic tunes like Fainne Geal an Lae, the britchess full of stiches) I would try someone of these : Saddle the Pony, connauchtman rambles, the old favourite, out in the ocean
fiddle tunes for a starter?
fiddle tunes for a starter?
Hi there all.
I have just started learning the fiddle. Litteraly. I was just wondering what are the best traditional tunes to start off with. I usually pick up an instrument pretty quickly but I want to take my time with the fiddle and get it right. Any suggestions?
Go raimh míle maith agat.
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by session savage
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
Most trad fiddlers start with Níl na Lá (I did, and many others of my ilk). It's a simple slow air type tune played on the D and A strings.
After that, maybe some simple marches (Fainne Geal an Lae, Roddy McCorley, A Nation Once Again etc.)
A simple Mazurka such as Shoe the Donkey is a good starter tune too.
Email me if you need notes for any of these.
Best of luck with it!
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by tradshark
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
You might try learning some session tunes. One decent list I found online is here: http://www.tiac.net/~cfiddle/irishsessiontunes.html
Warning: If you go to a session they will probably play these tunes too fast for a beginner (some would say they just play them too fast period). Play them on your own quite slowly, focusing on even tempo, smooth bowing and good intonation.
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by crazy_fingerz
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
If you really want to "get it right", go find a suitable teacher.
Your profile suggests that you're in Tipp (unless I'm much mistaken), so you should have access to dozens of good fiddle teachers within range.
I don't think there is any single "right" way to play the fiddle, but there are a number of "wrong" ways that can at best slow your progress, and at worst lead to physical injury (like CTS, for example), and the last thing anybody wants is to have to put it down just when you've spent years successfully learning to pick it up.
A good teacher will smooth your progress, and help you learn quickly without making the kinds of mistakes that will get in your way later...
just my $.02.
--Georgi
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by Georgi
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
Soldiers Joy is a good starter reel, as it uses plenty of open strings, also the same with Harvest Home Hornpipe.
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by tirvaluk
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
For starter jigs, might I suggest My Darling's Asleep and Out on the Ocean?
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by AlBrown
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
check out some of the tunes on this website for starters ... very nice mix of learning tunes -- http://rileyirishmusic.com/modules/content/music.php
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by RogueFiddler
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
I have been finding that recently I have given up even keeping chords for the speed demons. Butterfly played at 210+ ruins the tune, same with many others. The are expressions, not a test on how fast your brain - hand coordination is.
I have a very bright and resonating fiddle and play with this in mind. Unfortunately there is a bodhran play who is over enthusiastic and loves to play with great ornamentation and loudness. Unfortunately he also likes to sit beside me and play so loudly that I cannot feel my fiddle let alone hear it. So while I dont begrudge him enjoying his instrument and the music, I ask that a little thought is taken. Percussion doesnt mix with strings or woodwind in seating arrangements.
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by Joze
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
Hi John B.
Just read your profile, didn't realise you were in Tipp. I'm in Limerick. If you haven't found a teacher close to you, drop me an email and I can give you a few pointers.
JD
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by tradshark
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
I'd start with Madam Neruda or Banks hornpipe then you could move on to something like 'The President' ... Just kidding ...
'The Jig Runrig' (Fergie MacDonald) is a good starter. It'll get you crossing over the strings a bit.
Cheers.
# Posted on August 22nd 2006 by Iain Anderson
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
I found this thread helpful.
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/10351/comments#comment214536
# Posted on August 22nd 2006 by Gaelic writer
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
Good starter jigs (after the more basic tunes like Fainne Geal an Lae, the britchess full of stiches) I would try someone of these : Saddle the Pony, connauchtman rambles, the old favourite, out in the ocean
# Posted on August 22nd 2006 by TradLad
Re: fiddle tunes for a starter?
Me too...except for the picking up instruments quickly...pick 'em up, put 'em down, pick 'em up...you know.
Teacher, teacher. Go after one who's got a whole ream of tunes and is willing to lend an ear and an eye to your playing.
What instrument do you play already?
# Posted on August 23rd 2006 by futless1