This is probably a silly beginner's question but....
if I'm bowing and slurring something that does a number of quick alternations from one string to another say eA eA eA eA or similar.....where abouts should I be aiming for bow contact with the string? Cos at the moment I've been experimenting with all sorts of things....and generally I either generate random squeaks or randomly miss a string or one of the notes I'm trying to play......
I don't quite understand what you mean. You can do the transition at various places on the bow and you can hit the string almost anywhere between the bridge and fingerboard; some people play a little over the fingerboard. Too close to the bridge and you'll get a harsh sound. Squeaking can come from too much or too little pressure on the bow, too much rosin, or not hitting the string at a 90 degree angle. Try practicing in front of a mirror to see what your bow looks like--then you can adjust the angle of the fiddle, your bow hand, shoulder, etc. Squeaking and random misses are to be expected, but you find the touch you need the more you practice.
Depends - people do it all different ways - its hard to tell you what you want to know when its being written down - it'd be easier if we could see you play. I tend to play on the bottom half of the bow -but thats just me.
Thanks bb. When I get good enough you 'might' see me play. I hear you see a fair bit a very tall fiddling playing friend of mine,JB,....and she'll drag me into sessions with her whether I think I'm ready or not!
I sort of hoped I could post a music question that would move some of the 'dose' threads on a bit. The first couple were funny... but it's wearing a bit......alternatively I was considering posting 'Dose anyone have a good recipe for ...' seems just as relevant as much else at the moment. Though, I guess it means there's less to distract me from practice!
It sounds like what you are trying to do is tricky and will mainly come with practice and by judging exactly where the string and your bow are. The bow hair should be at 45 degrees to the string so you may need to check your bow hold, make sure it is nice and loose. The majority of the action should come from the wrist and the forearm, not the shoulder. I usually find it is easier to play at the middle of the bow. Dose that help? (sorry, couldn't resist that one )
CurvyFiddle, I am a recent convert to the fiddle, so maybe we should have a few tunes together at the National. Beebs will have to do the introduction. By the way it looks as if the WA ranks may be increasing. See y'all there.
Beebs did I hear JB when I was over before??
No - its Jane Brownlee - recent convert to Irish music from Traditional Australian music.
The more people for WA the better - there is a whole other scene over there that none of us has met - you are the only one we know! This is shaping up to be a great National - and some session.orgers from overseas as well - woohooo!
Jane Brownlee has been West for the Fairbridge Festival before and I have heard her play. But I thought she was into Aus/Scot music. Who's responsible for the conversion.
BTW: I just got a poster yesterday for Fairbridge 2007 Festival and I note that it shows Trouble in The Kitchen as being from Ireland - they must have moved!
Bowing Technique question
Bowing Technique question
This is probably a silly beginner's question but....
if I'm bowing and slurring something that does a number of quick alternations from one string to another say eA eA eA eA or similar.....where abouts should I be aiming for bow contact with the string? Cos at the moment I've been experimenting with all sorts of things....and generally I either generate random squeaks or randomly miss a string or one of the notes I'm trying to play......
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by TheCurvyFiddle
Re: Bowing Technique question
I don't quite understand what you mean. You can do the transition at various places on the bow and you can hit the string almost anywhere between the bridge and fingerboard; some people play a little over the fingerboard. Too close to the bridge and you'll get a harsh sound. Squeaking can come from too much or too little pressure on the bow, too much rosin, or not hitting the string at a 90 degree angle. Try practicing in front of a mirror to see what your bow looks like--then you can adjust the angle of the fiddle, your bow hand, shoulder, etc. Squeaking and random misses are to be expected, but you find the touch you need the more you practice.
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by dwdeacon
Re: Bowing Technique question
Try doing figure of eights in there as well - not just single bow strokes.
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by bb
Re: Bowing Technique question
It's the figures of eights I guess I'm asking about....is the middle of the 8 in the middle of the bow....or higher or lower on the bow?
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by TheCurvyFiddle
Re: Bowing Technique question
Actually....I think I'm just using too much bow altogether ....littler figures of eights are working better than bigger ones.
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by TheCurvyFiddle
Re: Bowing Technique question
Depends - people do it all different ways - its hard to tell you what you want to know when its being written down - it'd be easier if we could see you play. I tend to play on the bottom half of the bow -but thats just me.
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by bb
Re: Bowing Technique question
Thanks bb. When I get good enough you 'might' see me play. I hear you see a fair bit a very tall fiddling playing friend of mine,JB,....and she'll drag me into sessions with her whether I think I'm ready or not!
I sort of hoped I could post a music question that would move some of the 'dose' threads on a bit. The first couple were funny... but it's wearing a bit......alternatively I was considering posting 'Dose anyone have a good recipe for ...' seems just as relevant as much else at the moment. Though, I guess it means there's less to distract me from practice!
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by TheCurvyFiddle
Re: Bowing Technique question
JB is the bestest - she is great fun. So you going to the national? I'm sure JB will introuduce us there!
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by bb
Re: Bowing Technique question
It sounds like what you are trying to do is tricky and will mainly come with practice and by judging exactly where the string and your bow are. The bow hair should be at 45 degrees to the string so you may need to check your bow hold, make sure it is nice and loose. The majority of the action should come from the wrist and the forearm, not the shoulder. I usually find it is easier to play at the middle of the bow. Dose that help? (sorry, couldn't resist that one
)
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by bowburner
Re: Bowing Technique question
A few more of those "dose" as a variant of "does", and it'll surely make it into the next edition of the OED and Websters!
# Posted on January 14th 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Bowing Technique question
JB is the greatest! And yes....the National is my local! See ya there bb!
# Posted on January 15th 2007 by TheCurvyFiddle
Re: Bowing Technique question
CurvyFiddle, I am a recent convert to the fiddle, so maybe we should have a few tunes together at the National. Beebs will have to do the introduction. By the way it looks as if the WA ranks may be increasing. See y'all there.
Beebs did I hear JB when I was over before??
# Posted on January 15th 2007 by Donough
Re: Bowing Technique question
No - its Jane Brownlee - recent convert to Irish music from Traditional Australian music.
The more people for WA the better - there is a whole other scene over there that none of us has met - you are the only one we know! This is shaping up to be a great National - and some session.orgers from overseas as well - woohooo!
# Posted on January 15th 2007 by bb
Re: Bowing Technique question
Jane Brownlee has been West for the Fairbridge Festival before and I have heard her play. But I thought she was into Aus/Scot music. Who's responsible for the conversion.
BTW: I just got a poster yesterday for Fairbridge 2007 Festival and I note that it shows Trouble in The Kitchen as being from Ireland - they must have moved!
# Posted on January 16th 2007 by Donough
Re: Bowing Technique question
Ooooo - i was talking to Sirnose last night - he said he was on a tram in Melbourne but if they are in Ireland that must be a lie!
Janeyb has be threatening to convert to trad for a long time and now she is fully into Irish trad...another convert yaay!
# Posted on January 16th 2007 by bb
Re: Bowing Technique question
here is a good discussion on bowing...in particular pay attention to Wills reply
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/5579/comments#comment118257
# Posted on January 18th 2007 by Sunnybear