50 Improvisation Ideas for Violin/Fiddle

A few ideas to try in your solos.

[@gregmarsee1913]

I'm an orchestra teacher and a bluegrass fiddle player....Improv scares the heck out of me and I've looked for resources everywhere. After playing fiddle for nearly 30 years, this is exactly what I was looking for to help change my game. Thanks for putting this out there.

[@dustinballard6057]

Greg Marsee Thank you Greg, glad it was helpful!

[@jacksexton4490]

This is one of the best videos ever.

[@JustFiddler]

true

[@rebekahbonne8688]

This is THEEE best video ever!!!!

[@amusicment4829]

It really is

[@winstonanderson8828]

Fr

[@boylethepig]

Agreee

[@manvsviolin1271]

Man, that was fantastic; that was a lot of great playing in such a short amount of time!

[@Jason-le3bp]

Guitarists call them "Licks". Purists would say this is not improvisation. They are all musical cliches committed to muscle memory. However, they are an important part of improvisation because playing by muscle memory gives your brain a rest in between thinking about the math of chord inversions and rhythms. What I absolutely love about this video is that it gives a name to every lick. We should adopt it as a universal language.

[@dustinballard6057]

True, this is kind of a hodgepodge of fiddle licks and theory-based patterns I’ve either stolen or discovered over the years - more of a springboard into improvisation than pure improvisation, which could never be broken down into a list of “tricks” like I’ve done here :)

[@johnmc3862]

Of lot of them are effects/ideas in lick format. Many are actually taken from the(country)guitar.

[@johnmc3862]

@@dustinballard6057 Yes, a lot are ideas in the form of licks. Well done, a lot of these I play but hadn’t categorised or had a name for. A lot seem to be taken from country music.

[@chelseadennis7851]

now if you can go into detail on how you did each style i would be forever grateful

[@ralphmartynsamaniego7017]

This is exactly what I've been looking for! Snippets for Improvisation. Thank you!

[@dustinballard6057]

Glad it was helpful, Ralph!

[@marcschmitt7513]

Have watched loads of fantastic improvisation videos by outstanding violinists but I must say this one tops them all. Actually looks and sounds feasible and brings a smile to my face. Thanks a million!

[@dustyfiddles]

Aww, thanks Marc!

[@kofblz]

This is about the coolest thing I've ever seen. Great job and I can't wait to start copying it.

[@betsyb6195]

I never comment- but I am for this! So good! Thank you!

[@adirondackcomposer]

What an absolute treat! Thank You very much for all that hard work and those wonderful ideas.

[@sammdelyon8051]

Cette vidéo est une "mine d'or" ! Merci beaucoup de partager vos connaissances.

[@SKarlaArt]

Awesome work! Love the collection of ideas, makes an interesting solo for sure!

[@ncao]

Beautiful sounds - Put the whole video in the loop - replay for many many many times - lit up the whole day. Thank you. LOVE it

[@dustyfiddles]

Thank you! That means a lot Nghia, glad to have brightened your day :)

[@cathleenbarnard7845]

That was amazing! Beautifully executed!

[@AaBbRrAaSsAaDOR]

AWSOME! It is not only useful for anyone who accepts the challenge, but so fun to listen - great job. BRAVO👏👍🌹

[@jimmartin7917]

Brilliant! I loved it!

[@amusicment4829]

Wow, how great is this! Thank you 👍🏽👏🏽

[@rebeccamouse9294]

This has given me a year of practice material. Excellent. Thx.

[@johntait491]

Absolutely marvellous. So much to learn here..!! Thank you so much.

[@JIROYOSHIOKA]

Omg that's awesome!!! Thank you 🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏻‍♂️ I'll note down everything

[@eddyagosto8515]

Very well done! I love the technique and the musicality and the performance, thank you!

[@pascalbaylon812]

The best.... Excellent Dustin. Thanks alot

[@grapeviolin]

Wow!!!! This is just what I've been looking for!!! You are so good, thank you so much for this "how to"!

[@susanidepatton9338]

Great! And I love the names!

[@fiddlestix3025]

🤣😂😅👏 soo funny and so good! Love all these thingys, and it’s good to finally have a name for them, too 😉 Thanks for that, man 🙏

[@davegmusicchannel]

you finally did what no one else has thought of to do, even though it´s the most obvious thing ever. this is so helpful, no matter the level of ability. thank you dustyfiddles...

[@philnewton4844]

I love the whole tones

[@timmartin8191]

This is great. Thanks for posting!

[@dianagreenberg6207]

absolutely brilliant. THANK YOU

[@leopardtiger1022]

Oh oh this is special demo excellent. Thank you for this video.

[@ritabeazley5481]

Fantastic! This is so good and I've tittered all through it lol! It's Ace!!.....and also very useful X 🎻

[@lookierebuddy2]

What a resource! Thanks.

[@martapozsgai4812]

Great idea, great performance, great concentration!

[@_s827]

I love the fact that you named these things. Especially The Inebriated Shift and the Diminished Chromatic Thingy,

[@xray476]

This is what I need. Thank You!

[@zecalimazeca]

Thank you so much and greetings from Brazil.

[@jessestheories7586]

So well done Master!

[@inloveandwarband]

This is so freaking awesome and the humor is also much appreciated lol. Super well done!!!

[@dustinballard6057]

Thanks!

[@darliehenry4251]

That was freaking gorgeous ! Love my instrument 😭

[@dearestsimone]

I love this--thank you!

[@fiddlemusik]

Brilliant! Flatifcation, Dim. Chro. thingy.... ROFL - Thank you for the humor and for manageable improv ideas!

[@sheilaryan5548]

Great! Very helpful ideas. Thanks!

[@ElinaViolina]

Nice "composition" - sounds really interesting / diversified and very useful - like a tutorial!

[@moresquatsmoretwats6298]

The jokes are hilarious 😂 Amazing video!!

[@erikajordan1256]

This is amusing and I can listen to this all day 🎶

[@donng51]

This is excellent, Dustin - Thank you!! You've really assembled and demonstrated an amazing collection of bluegrass/country fiddle licks. Master these licks and a fiddle player could perform effectively with just about any country western or bluegrass band. Any plans for Volume II? I'm sure there are many more fiddlers who would love to see that!!

[@jaqui5024]

Love it!!! Thank you 😊❤️

[@DerGangolf]

Simple and great! Thank you!

[@dmcmac9619]

Brilliant! Thank You for this masterful demonstration. So much here to help me. I will be digging into this for months! Also, It's just a very cool stand alone piece. Just makes ya smile!

[@dustinballard6057]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed it Daniel!

[@SunnysideElla]

Thanks for this GIFT, you’re the best for organizing and sharing. I ‘ll be practicing.

[@dustyfiddles]

Thanks, hope it’s helpful Kathy!

[@monoswinger]

Extreme useful, thank you!

[@Firstinversion899]

$@$#%*ing BRILLIANT!!!!! Thanks so much. If I start workin on these tonight I’ll irritate the neighbors. Otherwise...., and Salt Peanuts, too!!!

[@shiragoldmusic]

I need so many more videos like this

[@jack002tuber]

I'm late to the party but I hope to make up for it. Tons of ideas in there! wow thanks 🤣😂🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎶🎶🎶🎶🎻🎻🎻

[@philnewton4844]

It's like giving a pupil a took kit to resort to in a session !

[@derekrichardson9133]

This is brilliant

[@AlejandroGonzalez-ry4yr]

I love it 😮❤

[@garyritterstrings]

Great playing.

[@mode2jiveband399]

This is exactly what I am looking for!

[@rhapsodyinblue6324]

Wow!! Fantastic!

[@bobwerber2984]

Un-frikin believable. Thanks!

[@thiagos.a4640]

Congratulations, i like it because it's very fun.

[@kennyg8384]

That was fire

[@michaelharris9615]

I agree with all the comments (at least the one's I read!). Had intended to study one per day, but with a bit of success on #1 I went on to #2 - and got stumped. Fortunately someone asked the question and you answered. Thank you for that. On to #3 (tomorrow). Grazie.

[@virusladd]

Loved this

[@timpike4515]

That was fun!

[@johnmc3862]

50 country licks on the fiddle! 😂

[@KCPraisesHim]

AWESOME!! Cheers

[@dinamesgari1265]

Thank you thousand times

[@ponysmonicaharrison812]

Wow I want to do that😁 playing 2 months now and I Love it so much

[@dixonstudios]

Thank you so much for this video. I've been playing music since '64 and I never have mastered any bowed instrument (Lord knows I've tried). I can play guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, dobro etc. but when it comes to the fiddle my left hand doesn't seem to get it. (I'm right handed). You make this look so easy and have inspired this old man (71) to keep at it. I did get a NS fretted 5 string a couple of years ago and that helped tremendously. I still play on the mandolin before I practice fiddle because it's tuned the same and the fingers get used to the smaller scale length. I can go up and down the scales pretty good and a few simple tunes but now, Thanks To YOU, I am finally seeing how to really have fun with the process. This means even more to me during this time of covid isolation (and all the stupidity in the world right now) because I live alone and music is the only thing that keeps me sane. May God bless you always and all ways.

[@dustyfiddles]

Thank you so much for the kind words Ed! Certainly never too late to try a new instrument (I started clarinet at age 30 and was quickly humbled by how hard it is to start as an adult - after 9 years of that I can only play passably, but it’s about the fun not the mastery right?) Cant wait until I can play with friends again - certainly a trying time for musicians now. Hang in there! PS - 71 is not old...my Dad’s age. I’ve even taught him a few musical tricks lately :)

[@MissMoonshineDance]

a fun and useful fiddlingcontribution- thanks!

[@86larsonrd]

I keep coming back to this video over the years. I play sax (improv heaver) and find a lot in here for my own playing, but now I have 13 years old kid getting in to violin and just not digging on the classical music. This set of ideas really resonate with him. I'd love to have a follow on that does these a little more slowly, with some repetition, and some time hacks so younger players could use the video to learn. Still a great resource as it.

[@dustyfiddles]

Thank you Adam! That means a lot.

[@veronikakuznetsova7032]

This is so cool, helpful and useful. Thank you!

[@dustyfiddles]

Glad it was helpful Veronika!

[@inesruffine1523]

AMAZING

[@emircelaler]

It's just PERFECT

[@trabissalazar1966]

Woooowwwww Saludos desde Mexico y gracias por compartir !!

[@maureenharrison6170]

This is enlightening

[@kc9kepextra460]

Yes, thanks for posting this .. I’d bet those “licks” may work well on other instruments as well ..

[@amynatzke1050]

This is the best.

[@garykurtz538]

Love this.

[@vladimirangeles1066]

Ame el vídeo, gracias. Muy útil para practicarle. Tnks sr ✨

[@kosakCZ]

Cool video , tanks!

[@kostialukyniuk8651]

Amazing!

[@jennacolombet2964]

Thank you so much !! This is so smart !!

[@dustinballard6057]

Jenna Colombet Thanks! I like your videos Jenna.

[@stavrosnikitopoulos5090]

Απίστευτο βίντεο! Τόση γνώση συμπυκνωμένη σε 4 λεπτά! Είσαι φανταστικός φίλε! 🥰🎻🥰🎻

[@rosaliecarver6780]

awesome!

[@judyswain9245]

I agree! Wish he'd make more!

[@curtpiazza1688]

Thanx for the lesson!

[@nicholashill9302]

Thanks great stuff. It looks sooo easy!! Lol

[@mallikabuckle8373]

fabulous! thank you

[@sandrakerr6715]

Loved it thanks

[@yennievilte1483]

Maestro!!!

[@hunkyhondo]

just love this ...wish I had the sheet music to this to help .......

[@lydiamercy8549]

Awesome. 😍

[@Noah1377]

this is amazing

[@paddydebrun]

Epic!

[@robertbrawley5048]

Fabulous. That means awedome

[@andreycunha4479]

OMG! The best vioiin video i have ever sem. Well done!

[@dustinballard6057]

Andrey Cunha Aw thanks!

[@deentrecasa9852]

que genial!!!!! sin palabras puso de manifiesto a la mentira / cada trozo se desprende de un impulso interior /// felicitaciones !!!