#1
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Just an observation on practicing guitar & the results it has on fiddle playing
The last few months I've been wood shedding on my guitar for 6 - 10 hours a day. I've been playing thru the contents of my book (which has over a thousand 2 octave scale, mode, and arpeggio patterns in it), and running thru a bunch of flat picking and finger style tunes every day.
Late last night while practicing I watched the movie Peanut Butter Falcon (great movie BTW) which has some great music in it. When the movie finished I was inspired to get my fiddle off the wall. I played fiddle in a band 40 years ago and used to be pretty good on it (played it on the Grand Ol' Opry way back in '85), but have barely touched it for decades as I haven't had time to work on multiple instruments. I have probably played it a total of an hour in the last few years. But last night I was amazed at my fiddle chops - and intonation. It seems all this work on guitar the last few months has had a profound impact on my fiddle playing. I can understand improved dexterity in my fretting fingers, but I can't understand why my intonation has improved. Last edited by Kerbie; 09-21-2020 at 05:52 AM. |
#2
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I've had similar experiences when laying off fiddle - it seems strange that after a period away from the instrument that intonation, particularly, is often so accurate. Albeit, fiddle has been a primary instrument for decades; I suspect this has something to do with it. (*Also, good ears.)
Last edited by catt; 08-18-2020 at 10:10 AM. |
#3
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I'd be inclined to look more to Jean Piaget for an explanation of this one. The improvements you make in your physical capability and muscle control are reflected in cognitive schemata which make sense of the patterns you recognise. As the laws of physics are the same for the fiddle as the guitar these patterns are directly transferrable from one to the other.
Muscle strength, coordination and pattern recognition.
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Give a man a fishing rod... and he's got the makings of a rudimentary banjo. Last edited by Kerbie; 09-21-2020 at 05:52 AM. |
#4
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Experience has a way of giving one the confidence in what they are hearing. Hence playing. Confidence shares some space with boldness. Bold confidence often has a tone all it's own. Enjoy.
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Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini Follow The Yellow Brick Road |
#5
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Without trying to get too touchy-feely, I do believe that musical ability is one of those gifts that comes from above. Otherwise, how do we explain a child prodigy who can play the piano at age three or four? Skeptics will say it was just a lucky roll of the genetic dice. I say try to roll snake eyes twelve times in a row, and get back to me when you have done it.
My belief is that anyone who can play a musical instrument to any level of proficiency, was born with at least a spark of music in them. My view is that the correct response is a prayer of thanks.
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Angie |
#6
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Quote:
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Give a man a fishing rod... and he's got the makings of a rudimentary banjo. |
#7
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Quote:
Bob
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"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website) Last edited by Kerbie; 09-21-2020 at 05:53 AM. |
#8
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You mentioned playing the Opry and fiddle tunes. I’m sure you’re aware then of the number of top flight bluegrass musicians that play multiple instruments. If one digs enough, it seems like the vast majority of pros play at least two different instruments, of which one might be casually but competently played and the other primarily what they’re known for. I think the skills transfer over.
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#9
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I'm a multi-instrumentalist, started with violin at 10 years old. I've found its like cross training in sports - improving on one instrument helps on all of them.
Regarding the age old "talent/gift" vs "hard work/practice" discussion, my feeling is that we all have some "raw material" that we start out with in all fields - athletic ability, musical ability, language skills, logical thinking, mechanical aptitude, etc. Some things come easier to each of us than other things. Each of us can improve from where we are. If we live long enough, each of us will also peak and decline. |
#10
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For the past several months, I had not been playing guitar anywhere near as much as you have--some days not at all and other days maybe an hour or two at the most. When I picked up my violin I couldn't play more than about 5 or 10 minutes without my left hand cramping up. It also was extremely difficult to play in tune. My ear knew it was bad, but my fingers just couldn't make it right. I started with very simple exercises, a few minutes at a time, just to build up strength. As my hand has gotten stronger, the intonation has gotten better and easier. It's been an good exercise in patience as I slowly try to work my way up toward more challenging pieces I used to be able to play. It makes sense to me that the hand strength you've gotten from the hours you're putting in on the guitar might have a great deal to do with the improved intonation. |
#11
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As a sitarist, I've found that sitar & guitar are mutually complementary.
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1986 Alvarez Yairi DY-76 (twelve-string) "The Twin Six" 1989 Alvarez Yairi DY-39 (six-string) 1993 Hiren Roy & Sons sitar |