OFCRI2017

Novice Fiddle Class6, 1½ hr. classes

Wednesday Evenings 7:00 - 8:30 pmSeptember 20 – October 25

General Information

Six, 1 ½ hour class sessions

Basic information to start playing the fiddle

Make the learning as easy as possible, but –

• Fiddle not the easiest stringed instrument to learn

• Group setting - Folks learn at their own pace

• Progress will require commitment

• Consideration of private lessons when classes end?

Goals for the 1st Class

1. Parts of the fiddle & fiddle bow

2. Tuning, electric tuners, shoulder rests, rosin

3. “Correct” holding positions - Fiddle & Bow

4. Correct finger positions

5. Play a scale

6. Reading music notation for the fiddle

7. Start learning a simple fiddle tune “Liza Jane”

Bridge

Bass bar

Sound post

Parts of a Fiddle

The“Chin” rest

Parts of a Fiddle Bow

Hair tension – pencil width betweenhair & stick.

Always loosen tension when finished playing

What kind?

How much??

Tuning

Fine tuners - attach totailpiece

- Inexpensive- Don’t damage the fiddle- Make fine tuning easier

Tuning pegs – too stiff or too loose!

- make tuning moredifficult than most otherstringed instrument

Electric tuners

D’AddarioMicrotuner

Snarkclip ontuner

Always tune

before practicing!

Electric tuners are essential when learning to play the fiddle.

Whatever kind you havethe

important thing is….

Shoulder Rests

Most fiddlers need one.

These come in a number of styles

The Kuhn rest is the most popular

Holding the fiddle…

… and how about the bow?Which way is correct?

Fiddlers havemore latitude

thanclassical violinists

…but, notice where thebow is and how it’s

held perpendicular or

at right angleto

the strings

Basic Finger Position(first position)

1

2

3

Relative positions may vary slightlybecause of variation in the size of fingers

Nut

Space

½ Space

Front View

Basic Finger Position

1 2 3Nut

Space

½ Space

1

2

3

Nut

Finger positions represent notes of the scale

Here we are playing an A major scale

Do – open A string

Re – 1st finger down

Mi – 2nd finger down

Fa – 3rd finger down

Repeat this pattern on

the E string to complete

an A major scale

Do Re Me Fa So La Ti Do

Open 1 2 3 Open 1 2 3

A string E string

Learning to Read Music

Always make sure your fiddle is in tune before practicing

Scales - use your ear and the tuner to check accuracy

Work on “Liza Jane” with the sheet music

Simple tunes – trying playing “Twinkle Little Star” by ear

Practice every day - even if only for 5-10 minutes

Play with others – playing music together is a great socializing event

Listening – is practice too

How Should I Practice ?

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:

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Liza Jane is in the key of A major

Angeline the BakerKey of D major