I'm a beginning fiddler and need some fingering advice, for Irish Washerwoman. In the B part, there's a walkdown where 3 consecutive triplets are (in abc format): |egg dgg|cgg ...
To play the g throughout, I'm using my second finger, which is what I'd normally use for the c. So when I need to play the c, how do I finger that? Is there a usual solution?
If your fingers are wide enough you might be able to finger the G and C at the same time - imagine placing your second finger on an invisible string halfway between the E and A strings. If your fingers aren't wide enough (which would seem unlikely) then roll your finger over to the A string.
The version I play has efg|dfg|cfg| there- don't know if that would help you. Jumping back and forth between the two strings gets quicker and easier with practice.
At the same time you place the G down on the E string, put your C down on the A string, so that you have your second finger in between the two strings, as DonaldK suggested. Then, when you get to the last part of the run down (cgg Bgg), lift your second finger up off the A string in order to play the first finger B.
Or, you could try playing the tune in a different key to avoid the awkward finger positions there. I haven't always heard it played in that key. But that might be making it too complicated. Sorry, just a suggestion.
my suggestion - place your fingers on the notes you need. play it enough, you'll learn which goes where. and play scales. and scales. and more bloody scales.
Practising scales doubtless has some value for a trad player, but do not overestimate it. Whilst most tunes have some passages that move stepwise, these are not usually the bits that trip you up the most - on stringed instruments, it is usually the string-crossings. The best approach, I think, is to play the tune until you come to a sticky passage, then isolate that passage and practise it until it becomes easy - then try and put it back into the tune. Practising the difficult phrase will serve as a generic techincal excercise and help in tacklin other tunes containing similar phrases.
I like it better in D. I just move down from second postion using the open A to give time for the transition, instead of a shift...
In G, I agree with DonaldK and FidDLe01, with a further refinement. In general, you just have to get used to fingering a perfect 5th interval, and you need to realize it's coming ahead of time and plan your finger position to cover both strings at once, just like you were going to play a doublestop. I then "rock" my finger back and forth to solidly stop the note. I have the C-G (2nd finger) set up at the same time I play the D. Then it's just a matter of lifting up the 3rd finger. Then when you get to the B, you just "rock" your second finger out of the way, so you basically have pressure on the fingered G the entire time.
Next you'll probably have problems getting the run smooth because of the string crossings. Articulate the snot out of the moving line for a while. The repetitive G notes are just background noise.
the middle hits the C, then by the time the open E is
sounded, it hits the G. Easy enough ? Had a real
hard time with this one myself years ago. Good luck
And do NOT straddle both strings with the same finger
unless you want a chord or need sound alternating notes
from those positions. Learn to keep your fingers mobile.
It will pay off in the longrun.
Inviting fingering suggestions, please
Inviting fingering suggestions, please
I'm a beginning fiddler and need some fingering advice, for Irish Washerwoman. In the B part, there's a walkdown where 3 consecutive triplets are (in abc format): |egg dgg|cgg ...
To play the g throughout, I'm using my second finger, which is what I'd normally use for the c. So when I need to play the c, how do I finger that? Is there a usual solution?
Thanks for any wisdom.
John
# Posted on December 4th 2007 by Fifthtry
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
If your fingers are wide enough you might be able to finger the G and C at the same time - imagine placing your second finger on an invisible string halfway between the E and A strings. If your fingers aren't wide enough (which would seem unlikely) then roll your finger over to the A string.
# Posted on December 4th 2007 by DonaldK
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
The version I play has efg|dfg|cfg| there- don't know if that would help you. Jumping back and forth between the two strings gets quicker and easier with practice.
# Posted on December 4th 2007 by P-K
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
At the same time you place the G down on the E string, put your C down on the A string, so that you have your second finger in between the two strings, as DonaldK suggested. Then, when you get to the last part of the run down (cgg Bgg), lift your second finger up off the A string in order to play the first finger B.
Or, you could try playing the tune in a different key to avoid the awkward finger positions there. I haven't always heard it played in that key. But that might be making it too complicated. Sorry, just a suggestion.
# Posted on December 4th 2007 by FidDLe01
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
You've got my vote for "best thread title: 2007".
# Posted on December 4th 2007 by ian clark
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
Ian, you naaasty boy.
# Posted on December 4th 2007 by Batlady
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
jaysus, ian. there's children about.
my suggestion - place your fingers on the notes you need. play it enough, you'll learn which goes where. and play scales. and scales. and more bloody scales.
# Posted on December 5th 2007 by Pádraig
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
Practising scales doubtless has some value for a trad player, but do not overestimate it. Whilst most tunes have some passages that move stepwise, these are not usually the bits that trip you up the most - on stringed instruments, it is usually the string-crossings. The best approach, I think, is to play the tune until you come to a sticky passage, then isolate that passage and practise it until it becomes easy - then try and put it back into the tune. Practising the difficult phrase will serve as a generic techincal excercise and help in tacklin other tunes containing similar phrases.
Maybe I should try it sometime.
# Posted on December 5th 2007 by granama
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
LOL, NameChanges ;)
# Posted on December 5th 2007 by Henk Bos
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
I like it better in D. I just move down from second postion using the open A to give time for the transition, instead of a shift...
In G, I agree with DonaldK and FidDLe01, with a further refinement. In general, you just have to get used to fingering a perfect 5th interval, and you need to realize it's coming ahead of time and plan your finger position to cover both strings at once, just like you were going to play a doublestop. I then "rock" my finger back and forth to solidly stop the note. I have the C-G (2nd finger) set up at the same time I play the D. Then it's just a matter of lifting up the 3rd finger. Then when you get to the B, you just "rock" your second finger out of the way, so you basically have pressure on the fingered G the entire time.
Next you'll probably have problems getting the run smooth because of the string crossings. Articulate the snot out of the moving line for a while. The repetitive G notes are just background noise.
# Posted on December 5th 2007 by monkey440
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
Ian: "You've got my vote for 'best thread title: 2007'''
Me: You should see the ones I rejected before settling on this one!
John
# Posted on December 9th 2007 by Fifthtry
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
the middle hits the C, then by the time the open E is
sounded, it hits the G. Easy enough ? Had a real
hard time with this one myself years ago. Good luck
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by hauke
Re: Inviting fingering suggestions, please
And do NOT straddle both strings with the same finger
unless you want a chord or need sound alternating notes
from those positions. Learn to keep your fingers mobile.
It will pay off in the longrun.
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by hauke