I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
Hows it going everybody...my name is JD...I have been playing violin for 14 years...I'm 18 now, and plan to hopefully start my own teaching practice...the only thing is, that since I started so young...I don't remember how I got taught to play. anyway, I was just trying to see if anyone had any suggestions or tips for me about where to go to get some more information...I don't want to start until I have a firm grip on what I'm doing because I don't want to teach people any bad habits, etc...As far as my experience on the violin goes, I was taught the suzuki method until I got to book 9 and then I unfortunately dropped out. The posture and technique I learned which have helped with me with all of my bluegrass and celtic fiddling were worth it though. Anyway I currently play the fiddle with a local country band and desperately need another source of income, and since that takes so much of my time, a "regular" job isn't feasible at this time...well if y'all know anything that could help...please let me know, cause God knows I need it...haha. Take it easy.
Re: I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
First bit of advice I can offer you is to stop using the word "desperate" to describe something (your perceived plight) that to others might seem a legitimate and enjoyable challenge. Consider yourself privileged.
How will you know when you have a firm grip, and do you really know what a bad habit is?
Why in the world would you play bluegrass fiddle in the same lifetime when you were a "Celtic" savant.
Re: I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
You probably know these tricks, but I'll mention them anyway:
..... with your hand, cup students elbow as he plays - to keep it from moving back & forth
.....position him with elbow hitting wall if he continues to play with the elbow moving inappropriately.
.....to lesson chalk-board effect... have student bow faster and lighter
.....have student tilt the bow very slightly inwards (toward student.... wrist turns as if turning a dial to the left) ... for a better sound
.....encourage student to play with the top half of the bow rather than towards the frog
.... have student practice in front of a mirror to keep from hunching shoulders..... and to keep from slanting the bow too much.
..... have student bow imaginary fiddle with exaggerated wrist movement (the wrist leads the direction in which the hand is heading.)
....... encourage student to practice melodies that he can sing by ear, also encourage him to play along with rocordings of songs in easy keys (D,G,em,A) with an ear towards harmony and improvisation.
There are surely a million different ways to teach fiddle..... you're welcome to agree or disagree with me... I don't particularly care... I'm just trying to be helpful.
Re: I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
Find some books on Violin Pedagogy or just start teaching. There really isn't a substitute for actual teaching. I'm in a class that is half lectures and half student teaching and trust me the teaching is much more useful than the lectures.
For fiddle specifically - I'd go ahead and find a way to mark the student's finger board (thin colored tape works well) in the basic spots for the first and third fingers. This just gives them a starting point to begin their playing from. I typically would have a mandolin on hand so that they can hear and play the scale in the same ratio as it is on their instrument. I'll second the suggestion to have them play by ear.
Re: I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
The way i learned was to actually go to classes and make notes of the way way other tutors taught me, and which ways helped - or not. If you can get yourself down to any workshops on any instrument and sit in and watch the tutors there I think that could help you loads. Unless you have experienced this kind of thing yourself, it can be very hard tp put yourself in others' shoes.
I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
Hows it going everybody...my name is JD...I have been playing violin for 14 years...I'm 18 now, and plan to hopefully start my own teaching practice...the only thing is, that since I started so young...I don't remember how I got taught to play. anyway, I was just trying to see if anyone had any suggestions or tips for me about where to go to get some more information...I don't want to start until I have a firm grip on what I'm doing because I don't want to teach people any bad habits, etc...As far as my experience on the violin goes, I was taught the suzuki method until I got to book 9 and then I unfortunately dropped out. The posture and technique I learned which have helped with me with all of my bluegrass and celtic fiddling were worth it though. Anyway I currently play the fiddle with a local country band and desperately need another source of income, and since that takes so much of my time, a "regular" job isn't feasible at this time...well if y'all know anything that could help...please let me know, cause God knows I need it...haha. Take it easy.
# Posted on November 2nd 2005 by FiddlinJD
Re: I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
First bit of advice I can offer you is to stop using the word "desperate" to describe something (your perceived plight) that to others might seem a legitimate and enjoyable challenge. Consider yourself privileged.
How will you know when you have a firm grip, and do you really know what a bad habit is?
Why in the world would you play bluegrass fiddle in the same lifetime when you were a "Celtic" savant.
I always fall for the windups.
# Posted on November 2nd 2005 by windybaer
Re: I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
You probably know these tricks, but I'll mention them anyway:
..... with your hand, cup students elbow as he plays - to keep it from moving back & forth
.....position him with elbow hitting wall if he continues to play with the elbow moving inappropriately.
.....to lesson chalk-board effect... have student bow faster and lighter
.....have student tilt the bow very slightly inwards (toward student.... wrist turns as if turning a dial to the left) ... for a better sound
.....encourage student to play with the top half of the bow rather than towards the frog
.... have student practice in front of a mirror to keep from hunching shoulders..... and to keep from slanting the bow too much.
..... have student bow imaginary fiddle with exaggerated wrist movement (the wrist leads the direction in which the hand is heading.)
....... encourage student to practice melodies that he can sing by ear, also encourage him to play along with rocordings of songs in easy keys (D,G,em,A) with an ear towards harmony and improvisation.
There are surely a million different ways to teach fiddle..... you're welcome to agree or disagree with me... I don't particularly care... I'm just trying to be helpful.
# Posted on November 2nd 2005 by nonesuch
Re: I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
Find some books on Violin Pedagogy or just start teaching. There really isn't a substitute for actual teaching. I'm in a class that is half lectures and half student teaching and trust me the teaching is much more useful than the lectures.
For fiddle specifically - I'd go ahead and find a way to mark the student's finger board (thin colored tape works well) in the basic spots for the first and third fingers. This just gives them a starting point to begin their playing from. I typically would have a mandolin on hand so that they can hear and play the scale in the same ratio as it is on their instrument. I'll second the suggestion to have them play by ear.
# Posted on November 2nd 2005 by musicfan
Re: I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
Is there a Comhalatas near you - if so then you can enquire about the Tutor classes.
A friend of mine went on a couple of week long residentials for flute tutoring and thought it excellent.
# Posted on November 2nd 2005 by breandan
Re: I desperately need some advice on how to teach fiddle...
The way i learned was to actually go to classes and make notes of the way way other tutors taught me, and which ways helped - or not. If you can get yourself down to any workshops on any instrument and sit in and watch the tutors there I think that could help you loads. Unless you have experienced this kind of thing yourself, it can be very hard tp put yourself in others' shoes.
# Posted on November 2nd 2005 by Fi