When your playing a tune that has D' and A' after each other
(thats the D on the A string and the A on the E string)
just say like in the second part of the Providence Reel where it goes F'D'D'D' F'D'A'D'
Do you lift your third off the A string and but it down on the E string to play the A'
Or
Do you tuck the little finger under for the A?
Or
Flatten out the joint at the end of the finger while still on D' on the A string and then your finger hits the A note too?
Or
Rock your hand kinda away and downwards so your finger hits the string without flattening out the joint at the end of your finger?
It depends on the phrasing of the tune, how much time I've got to get there, and how lazy I'm feeling at the moment.
I would prefer to lift and move my finger, but I usually just flatten it out. I've never tried sneaking a pinky in there.
For certainly not he 2nd option; I've tried that kind of things just for the fun of it, to strengthen my fingers and see if it could be done anyway - but for me it gives great tension in the hand, fairly impossible to realize it in higher tempos. I wonder if any one here prefers that option. Did you try it yourself, Irish Mandolin?
For relaxation and intonation the 1st option is best for me, but when there's little time I rely on a mix of the 3rd and 4th.
Normally in this kind of situation I'll just stop both strings at once with the same finger, but it depends. If going from a lower string to a higher one I may just rock my finger over to the higher string when needed, but it's not as easy to do that going the other way. And sometimes I'll just hop the finger over.
I guess it depends, really, on which way works best for that particular phrase, like CleverName said.
I've talked to a few players about this. Consensus as far as I can see is that some people find option 3 best for them and some people find it's option 4. For me it's 4.
I was taught to do what tradshark described when it's done with the first finger (like with E on the D string to B on the A string, but it's easier there because it's closer to the nut, and so the strings are closer to the fingerboard. With the third finger, I tend to choose option 4 as well.
Henk bos I dont really tuck little finger in on fiddle only suggested that method because its what i do on mandolin and banjo
Also, the people who flatten out the joint at the end of the finger, do they find this joint loosens up i find that movement hard to do as if my joints are stiff ......(im 21 so dont think its stiff from age or anything)
I do either three or four, and I personally consider it bad form to do one or two. Out of three and four, I'd consider four the better option, because you have more control over the movement and where your finger lands.
Two is definitely not a good way to do it, because it's too hard to consistently keep on pitch. You could do it, but it would be a waste of effort when options three and four are available.
As for one, I personally find taking my finger off the string to be an unnecessary movement that slows down my playing.
Fiddle Fingering
Fiddle Fingering
hi all
When your playing a tune that has D' and A' after each other
(thats the D on the A string and the A on the E string)
just say like in the second part of the Providence Reel where it goes F'D'D'D' F'D'A'D'
Do you lift your third off the A string and but it down on the E string to play the A'
Or
Do you tuck the little finger under for the A?
Or
Flatten out the joint at the end of the finger while still on D' on the A string and then your finger hits the A note too?
Or
Rock your hand kinda away and downwards so your finger hits the string without flattening out the joint at the end of your finger?
# Posted on November 2nd 2008 by Irish Mandolin
Re: Fiddle Fingering
I pretty much just shift my hand and flatten my finger a bit...seems the easiest way.
# Posted on November 2nd 2008 by irishfiddler32
Re: Fiddle Fingering
It depends on the phrasing of the tune, how much time I've got to get there, and how lazy I'm feeling at the moment.
I would prefer to lift and move my finger, but I usually just flatten it out. I've never tried sneaking a pinky in there.
# Posted on November 2nd 2008 by CleverName
Re: Fiddle Fingering
Rock the finger (flatten it) on the fiddle. On the banjo I use my little finger.
# Posted on November 2nd 2008 by banjobabe
Re: Fiddle Fingering
For certainly not he 2nd option; I've tried that kind of things just for the fun of it, to strengthen my fingers and see if it could be done anyway - but for me it gives great tension in the hand, fairly impossible to realize it in higher tempos. I wonder if any one here prefers that option. Did you try it yourself, Irish Mandolin?
For relaxation and intonation the 1st option is best for me, but when there's little time I rely on a mix of the 3rd and 4th.
# Posted on November 2nd 2008 by Henk Bos
Re: Fiddle Fingering
Normally in this kind of situation I'll just stop both strings at once with the same finger, but it depends. If going from a lower string to a higher one I may just rock my finger over to the higher string when needed, but it's not as easy to do that going the other way. And sometimes I'll just hop the finger over.
I guess it depends, really, on which way works best for that particular phrase, like CleverName said.
# Posted on November 2nd 2008 by Marklar
Re: Fiddle Fingering
Pretend there's an invisible string between the A and E strings, and plonk your finger down on that.
A little lean in either direction will give you a clear sound on either the D' or the A'.
Practice this till you get it clear - it'll stand to you for ever more in your fiddling.
# Posted on November 2nd 2008 by tradshark
Re: Fiddle Fingering
Hmmm ... don't like that one, tradshark.
I've talked to a few players about this. Consensus as far as I can see is that some people find option 3 best for them and some people find it's option 4. For me it's 4.
# Posted on November 3rd 2008 by ethical blend
Re: Fiddle Fingering
I was taught to do what tradshark described when it's done with the first finger (like with E on the D string to B on the A string, but it's easier there because it's closer to the nut, and so the strings are closer to the fingerboard. With the third finger, I tend to choose option 4 as well.
# Posted on November 3rd 2008 by kennedy
Re: Fiddle Fingering
Thanks all for the quick reply
Henk bos I dont really tuck little finger in on fiddle only suggested that method because its what i do on mandolin and banjo
Also, the people who flatten out the joint at the end of the finger, do they find this joint loosens up i find that movement hard to do as if my joints are stiff ......(im 21 so dont think its stiff from age or anything)
# Posted on November 3rd 2008 by Irish Mandolin
Re: Fiddle Fingering
I do either three or four, and I personally consider it bad form to do one or two. Out of three and four, I'd consider four the better option, because you have more control over the movement and where your finger lands.
Two is definitely not a good way to do it, because it's too hard to consistently keep on pitch. You could do it, but it would be a waste of effort when options three and four are available.
As for one, I personally find taking my finger off the string to be an unnecessary movement that slows down my playing.
# Posted on November 4th 2008 by bertie242