I if was playing redhaired lass with these strokes would it be right. vEuAvAuG vAuBvcuA|vEuAvAuG vBuAvFuA|vEuAvAuG vAuBvcue| I don't want to get any bad habbits. I'm just starting off playing fiddle. I play banjo as you can see from my username. I like donegal style fiddle playing. keep the edvice comming thank you all for ye're info.
i like Donegal fiddling too. The basic rules i was taught about Donegal fiddling is that The first note of the bar should always be on the down bow. This gives the tune a nice strong rhythm. The other thing is that when you do a "trebble" or bowed triplet you do down, up, down and then down onto the next note.
i.e. vCuCvCvE (the trebble being on the c note)
also if you're doing a row of notes on diffrent strings (i know i'm so technical) like AEAEAE there is a way of bowning that makes it easier. it's either down up down or up down up. I can't tell you without actually playing but you'll know onc you try.
otherwise it's just a matter of choosing to bow the way that feels the best. I do a trebble in Farrel O'Garrah right at the beginning and cross strings to get the A but keeping a down bow after the trebble so you're basically going from the d string to the g string on a slurrd down bow. Everyone else i play with thinks it's mad but i really like it.
happy playing.
Sounds good to me, though the trick is to vary it. Try doing the whole phrase with a single stroke, not changing the direction when you cross strings. It gives the tune a lovely hanging kind of pause that accentuates any fancy bow work you might do either side of it.
I thought I liked Donegal style when I was first starting out it seemed a lot eaiser but when I started getting better and established my own playing style I realized it was a mix between Sligo style and West Clare style why? I am a very rythmic (West Clare) expressive (Sligo) player Donegal seems too "dry" to me if you understand what I am saying. Michael I learned that, that style of bowing is called "cross-bowing" I love ding this I hated this and slurs and just about every other thing I love now when I first started. Think I might start another disscussion about this.
Sorry, I have to disagree with fiddlefeet (no offense I hope) but, if there are any rules about these things, it is incorrect both to say that Donegal fiddlers start the beat on the down bow, and that they start triplets (or trebles) on a down bow. In fact, John Doherty and Francie Byrne (famous Donegal fiddlers) both spoke about the importance of starting the beat on an up-bow, and so does James Byrne (one of the very greatest living Donegal fiddlers). In this regard the Donegal style differs from "southern" styles. However, having said all this, I'm sure this would come as a surprise to some Donegal fiddlers, who would say this is all total nonsense, and that they do not follow any particular rules at all.
On the subject of the direction of bowed triplets/trebles, while other fiddlers for some reason insist on starting them on a downbow, Donegal fiddlers pride themselves on being able to throw them in in both directions.
You should get some lessons, Paul--that's how to have all these basic sorts of questions answered. Get some basic tuition locally and then, when you're ready to get more of the elements of a Donegal style, travel up to Donegal once a month (I wish I could do that!) and get some lessons with James Byrne of Glencolumcille. He's very generous with his music.
Fiddle help
Fiddle help
Is it okay to play an up bow after a down bow when changing strings for example |vEuAvAuG
# Posted on June 6th 2004 by banjaxbanjo
Re: Fiddle help
Of course. why wouldn't it be? just as long as it feels comfortable. sure.
# Posted on June 6th 2004 by NickPhelan
Re: Fiddle help
Thank's for the for replying.
# Posted on June 6th 2004 by banjaxbanjo
Re: Fiddle help
Up, down, up, down, that's where I get my name.
# Posted on June 6th 2004 by rocking bow
Re: Fiddle help
Circular motion is the key... a relaxed wrist too, once it all flows nicely and you have your rythm going well is all that matters.
# Posted on June 6th 2004 by oraghalm
Re: Fiddle help
I if was playing redhaired lass with these strokes would it be right. vEuAvAuG vAuBvcuA|vEuAvAuG vBuAvFuA|vEuAvAuG vAuBvcue| I don't want to get any bad habbits. I'm just starting off playing fiddle. I play banjo as you can see from my username. I like donegal style fiddle playing. keep the edvice comming thank you all for ye're info.
# Posted on June 6th 2004 by banjaxbanjo
Re: Fiddle help
i like Donegal fiddling too. The basic rules i was taught about Donegal fiddling is that The first note of the bar should always be on the down bow. This gives the tune a nice strong rhythm. The other thing is that when you do a "trebble" or bowed triplet you do down, up, down and then down onto the next note.
) like AEAEAE there is a way of bowning that makes it easier. it's either down up down or up down up. I can't tell you without actually playing but you'll know onc you try.
i.e. vCuCvCvE (the trebble being on the c note)
also if you're doing a row of notes on diffrent strings (i know i'm so technical
otherwise it's just a matter of choosing to bow the way that feels the best. I do a trebble in Farrel O'Garrah right at the beginning and cross strings to get the A but keeping a down bow after the trebble so you're basically going from the d string to the g string on a slurrd down bow. Everyone else i play with thinks it's mad but i really like it.
happy playing.
# Posted on June 6th 2004 by fiddlefeet
Re: Fiddle help
Sounds good to me, though the trick is to vary it. Try doing the whole phrase with a single stroke, not changing the direction when you cross strings. It gives the tune a lovely hanging kind of pause that accentuates any fancy bow work you might do either side of it.
# Posted on June 6th 2004 by llig leahcim
Re: Fiddle help
I thought I liked Donegal style when I was first starting out it seemed a lot eaiser but when I started getting better and established my own playing style I realized it was a mix between Sligo style and West Clare style why? I am a very rythmic (West Clare) expressive (Sligo) player Donegal seems too "dry" to me if you understand what I am saying. Michael I learned that, that style of bowing is called "cross-bowing" I love ding this I hated this and slurs and just about every other thing I love now when I first started. Think I might start another disscussion about this.
# Posted on June 7th 2004 by Unseen122
Re: Fiddle help
I mean about regional styles.
# Posted on June 7th 2004 by Unseen122
Re: Fiddle help
What's the do's and dont's when fiddle playing. Are there any bad techniques you where told not to do. I need all the edvice I can get.
# Posted on June 7th 2004 by banjaxbanjo
Re: Fiddle help
I think the only "don't" is don't change direction with the bow on every note.
# Posted on June 8th 2004 by llig leahcim
Re: Fiddle help
I just signed up to reply to this question.
Sorry, I have to disagree with fiddlefeet (no offense I hope) but, if there are any rules about these things, it is incorrect both to say that Donegal fiddlers start the beat on the down bow, and that they start triplets (or trebles) on a down bow. In fact, John Doherty and Francie Byrne (famous Donegal fiddlers) both spoke about the importance of starting the beat on an up-bow, and so does James Byrne (one of the very greatest living Donegal fiddlers). In this regard the Donegal style differs from "southern" styles. However, having said all this, I'm sure this would come as a surprise to some Donegal fiddlers, who would say this is all total nonsense, and that they do not follow any particular rules at all.
On the subject of the direction of bowed triplets/trebles, while other fiddlers for some reason insist on starting them on a downbow, Donegal fiddlers pride themselves on being able to throw them in in both directions.
More advice see:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6464/fidintro.html
You should get some lessons, Paul--that's how to have all these basic sorts of questions answered. Get some basic tuition locally and then, when you're ready to get more of the elements of a Donegal style, travel up to Donegal once a month (I wish I could do that!) and get some lessons with James Byrne of Glencolumcille. He's very generous with his music.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Larry Sanger
# Posted on June 11th 2004 by lsanger