A Beginner's Guide To Bowing On The Fiddle

[@alwaysatthefair]

You are so friendly and chill. Makes it so much easier to learn! PS: I'm typing this while holding my fiddle entirely with my chin and shoulder. Improving already!

[@johnredmon9116]

You are the ultimate Fiddle teacher. I'm a guitar, piano, bass, drum, and harmonica player and have been for many years, however, I have always wanted to play fiddle. Particularly turkey fiddle (Charlie Daniels style) and your channel/lessons have accelerated my learning the fiddle. I just started a couple of weeks ago and have mastered bowing (the first thing you have to know before moving on) and your beginner's guide to bowing the fiddle has taught me how! Thank you! I will post more "journey comments" as I learn more from you.

[@therobinsons319]

Im 41 and my husband can play any instrument and we have a studio, so I am often left out in the corner watching all the talented musicians playing, two weeks ago I decided to pick up the fiddle I bought for my daughter several years ago but she never got the hang of it and quit.It has been sitting in the corner of the studio since. I have to say that I looked through a lot of videos before I came across yours and I am soooo excited, I am able to join in with some basic tunes as long as they lead me with the notes ... lol and since my husband has an old elbow injury its the one instrument he cant play so I actually can do something he cant and that makes me super happy. Thank You so much

[@MrNani1983]

The Robinsons hahahaha good luck.

[@Digitalhdwmn]

Watch twosetviolin

[@garytrent1]

Thank you for a great lesson that was very very helpful

[@aileenmckernan8500]

OMG, where were you when I started learning fiddle in October?? In this video months of awkward practice just came into place for me in 15 minutes! Can't wait to watch more. Blessings to you for doing this!!!

[@fiddl3hed]

Aileen, welcome to FiddleHed! Glad you found the videos and they have helped. There is a Fiddlehed Facebook page and last year I started a subscription website, FiddleHed.com, that has a lot of helpful features. You should check them both out. The videos on KZbin will continue to be available but you might want to take a look at the site. Cheers.

[@rezescat780]

0:50 - holding the bow 3:55 - d string 5:30 g string 7:43 a string 9:27 e string 12:05 - performs all of the strings extra tips: - bowing another string by accident: 8:00 - place the bow in the center of the bridge

[@randymorgan7133]

I Just Love you , best teacher ever!!!! You keep it simple and easy.........

[@fiddl3hed]

Randy Morgan 🥳👍🎻🙏

[@ellismcginley8695]

These are superb lessons to perfect bowing technique. I was rushing ahead without learning the basics, and getting sloppy. This is exactly what the doctor ordered. Thank you so much!

[@Katherine82472]

Oh, Fiddlehed, how I love thee! Keep up the awesome work.

[@anthonymcgee3785]

By far the best intro lesson I've seen.

[@fiddl3hed]

+Anthony McGee Thanks :)

[@Bj10807]

Not sure if you'll get this notes, but I rented my first fiddle today at Morey's Music Store and this is my first lesson. Thank you very much.

[@Michelle-ct6fg]

A little late in finding this channel, but so grateful for you offering your talents to those of us just now deciding to take up the fiddle! Much appreciation!

[@eddiefears6301]

Hi . I am 82 working with the fiddle to slow down my dementia . You do a great job. I am going to look up that blue button an make a donation. Thank's

[@fiddl3hed]

Awesome. Keep on fiddling Eddie. Sign up for a free trial membership here: FiddleHed.com.

[@MYVIEWS24]

Got violin for Christmas. Thanks for the tips.

[@fiddl3hed]

Good luck!

[@madfingers]

This is fantastic. I've had a fiddle in the house for 20 years and have never gotten anywhere with it. It's great to finally have some direction.

[@fiddl3hed]

Cool. Keep playing. That's how you get better. Don't stop when you hit the rough patches. We've all had them. Have you seen Fiddlehead's Facebook page? Cheers.

[@bradykelso8682]

Excellent instruction and great delivery!

[@fiddl3hed]

Really appreciate your sharing, thanks for being here! We have a guide available you may enjoy: fiddlehed.com/blog/how-to-play-violin-an-illustrated-beginners-guide-fiddlehed/

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

@@fiddl3hedthe gentleman I bought my student violin outfit from highly recommended Fiddlehead. Should not the right pinkie finger be bent, for flexibility?

[@Aliciadcr]

This was such a helpful video! You touched on quite a few things that I wasn't even told about within a few months of lessons. Thank you :)

[@Rampster27]

Finally something a little more my speed.

[@olgamarshall8965]

Thank u so much. Bow is hard wow.

[@mssippijim]

some of the best material on the net...and it's free. Thanks!

[@fiddl3hed]

James, thank you. I appreciate the feedback! :)

[@evamcauley1598]

This was recommended by my fiddle teacher 🎵 🎻

[@lilyfarabaugh6665]

Borrowing a fiddle from a friend and this is so helpful! I’ve played mandolin for a while so I thought I’d try this too :) Great videos, thanks for sharing.

[@renpan]

Hi, I also play mandolin and think about, trying to learn the fiddle. How ist your experience?

[@corazondepoeta5102]

This really helped me thank you so much!!!

[@goddessneoma6354]

OMG 😍😍 I love you thank you thank for teaching me how to play I think I sound pretty good now. I've been watching KZbin trying to find someone to teach me then I came upon you on how to bow❤️❤️

[@fiddl3hed]

Goddess Neoma Great to hear! It can take a bit to find your own style of learning, so it’s great you like our way of teaching! Thanks for fiddling with Fiddlehed!

[@goddessneoma6354]

@@fiddl3hed I'm not done with you yet, thank you for being a great teacher

[@bandacelestial9922]

Thanks super helpful I have after school in violin so super helpful!

[@fiddl3hed]

The holy KZbinr/el KZbinr santo 99 So happy it’s useful!! Keep it up!

[@keepopenminds]

Thank you so much for all the effort you put to make this video..

[@fiddl3hed]

Venu Gopal Teaching is my pleasure, and it means a lot that you like it!

[@Shotzeethegamer]

thank you, starting violin after playing mandolin for some time, very fun

[@DjSoulKing]

This is great. I am trying to learn how to play the violin! Thank you so much! :D

[@fiddl3hed]

John George You’re very welcome, thanks for fiddling with us 🙏🏼🎻

[@ramonaverrico6627]

You make it soooooo easy!

[@bluesilverhart]

Thanks you. Best instructions I tried and was able to do. Have my Dad's violin. Age 77 and want to hopefully learn some.

[@ioanapirjol5595]

This was an amazing lesson, you actually helped me going from making whale sounds to decent bowing. Many thanks to you sir!! 😍😍

[@fiddl3hed]

Ioana Pirjol Great to hear🙌🤗🎉

[@stanleyshedd2643]

Lol...I'm'm just learning fiddle, evidently I'm already as good if not better than you. My fiddling sounds like a entire family of orcas..

[@LesediLoFi]

Excellent

[@jimgoodinmusic]

Like your relaxed and 'playful' approach, as other comment said, 'very chill'!

[@johnnytrina2117]

Great video

[@dougnickerson]

Today I played fiddle 'busking' for the 1st time ; Whiskey Before Breakfast was the most secure & "fiddley" tune ; b.c. I studied your lesson & the Georgia Shuffle lesson many times , thanks

[@fiddl3hed]

Nice!

[@Crowfeather-v5o]

Tuk tika taka 😂...😊🎉

[@fatimadridi4659]

Merci, Love.

[@KoPhyo-lv2bi]

Thank U Very Much Sir.

[@patriciajrs46]

You are very good. I am grateful. Thank you. This will help so much.

[@Ealasaid11]

This is an outstanding lesson. I've been through beginner videos on two other channels, about 10 each, playing for a few weeks, after this one short video my playing sounds much better!

[@fiddl3hed]

Awesome, thank you!

[@kakalimallick5512]

Great

[@devikafernando4989]

Very interested I love it thank you 💕

[@rendobrown8145]

Thank you very much for this free lesson. Now I know what's wrong with my bowing.

[@fiddl3hed]

Happy to help!

[@MaxJamDiaries]

Good stuff !!!

[@Crowfeather-v5o]

Harmonica holder that straps on near the lower part of the instrument ?😊🎉

[@road2acoustic99]

You're clearly the BEST Fiddle KZbinr with Peakfiddler, I already asked him about this but I try with you too : Please, can you make a tutorial for The Morning Dew ? :-D 1000x Thanks my bro :-)

[@fiddl3hed]

Road2Acoustic That’s a great idea! I will add it to the requests list, so it may be added sometime in the future! Thanks so much for fiddling with us!

[@Crowfeather-v5o]

I like .. " Run Pony ,run Pony, run pony "...Tucka, Ticka ,Taka ...

[@ศน.เฉลิมรัฐวงษ์วัฒนะ]

thank you i from thailand

[@fiddl3hed]

ศน.เฉลิมรัฐ วงษ์วัฒนะ So glad you are enjoying Fiddle Hed!

[@darlinqx.9952]

Ty so much for this! I moved schools and we haven’t used the bow yet but my new school has and I’m trying to catch up as fast as possible because they already have a concert!😭

[@fiddl3hed]

Glad it was helpful. Do lots of bowing on open strings...

[@melinfab]

Thanks so very much for this video.

[@fiddl3hed]

+melinfab you're welcome :)

[@cynthiacecil8475]

Just picked up my first violin today super excited to find your channel I haven't played since like 6th grade. Do you have a dedicated lesson by lesson playlist? I didn't see one off hand but I would be very interested in that ❤

[@MiamiCubanbcn]

Thank you.

[@fiddl3hed]

You're welcome. Did you know there is a FiddleHed Facebook page? You should check out FiddleHed.com, too. Although there are subscriber levels, there is also some free access. Cheers.

[@johnnydarifi1880]

Very helpful, thank you! I've subscribed :)

[@fiddl3hed]

Thanks for subscribing, Johnny. Cheers!

[@PATentPending310]

These videos are great! Do you have a video or advice for purchasing a fiddle? Would love to learn but have no clue where to begin. Thanks!

[@Shrinksjp]

What is the bow stroke denoted by both a dot and line above a note as in Suzuki v. 6 La Folia?

[@fiddl3hed]

I thinks that's Martele. A brisk note with clear separation

[@WeibelFamilyMovies]

How did he play that tambourine though??

[@photobear15]

so this is going to be a total newbie question i'm sure but what does it mean when a note has an "H" next to it? it says on the tab that means high as in 3H. i've looked at several vids but so far no one has explained this. is it something that is not common?

[@fiddl3hed]

Keith Worley Good question Keith, the H indicates playing a higher note of that version of the note (usually moving the finger down a fret on the string). If you have further questions you can always look this up on google as there are plenty of videos showing how this is done.

[@photobear15]

@@fiddl3hed THANK YOU for the reply. I must not have searched on the correct wording since i didn't find anything on google. I KNEW it was probably there somewhere just didn't find it and i figured the answer was exactly what you said. Again thanks for the reply. You do AMAZING work for all of us trying to learn. I wish you wld get a Patreon page as i wld like to contribute to your efforts but can't afford the subscription on your page.

[@reginahouser3223]

I’ve had trigger thumb surgery, so I guess I’m going back to the beginner hold.

[@richcibelli1445]

Thank you so much for the lesson. Really easy to understand. Any suggestions for getting the right placement holding the fiddle. That's my main problem area right now. I have a shoulder rest but don't find the correct spot to place it. Really frustrating..

[@NightSky018]

How important would you say it is to hold the bow exactly as you show? I've been "fiddling" around with a fiddle for a little over a year but decided to take it back to the basics. However, you specifically mentioned not keeping the thumb straight but lo and behold, that's exactly how I hold it 😕 and I guess I'm very deeply set in that habit because for the life of me, I can't seem to get my thumb to stay bent. Is this worth putting in the effort to correct or do you think if it's not hindering me, I shouldn't worry about it?

[@CateDaugherty]

Fiddle head so where I go to set up a goggle meet or zoom meeting so you can teach me how to play the fiddle? Please please see

[@Maggieismydog]

I cant get any sound at all with my bow, are you supposed to coat the bow hairs with anything? Thanks, great vid!

[@NightSky018]

You need rosin; you drag it across your bow (or drag your bow across it) a few times before you play and that should solve your problem.

[@afrou110]

how much pressure i put on bow over strings

[@griffineagle7]

IAM TRYING TO MAKE UP oops caps ..lost time due to pawning my violin in an hard time and i don't wanna sound impatient for a reply but what is the technique of not bowing the next string when aiming for a particular string ?? please 🦊

[@ballofwax9yards]

Follow lessons bit by bit. Listen too.

[@fiddl3hed]

Glenn Luxton guitarViolinFiddle and more ! Yes indeed🎻👍

[@kyleem8187]

Dear Fiddlehed, My brother gave me a Cremona SV75 that he picked up at a pawn shop a few months ago. A student violin; I don't believe it was ever played. Anyhow I am getting lots of great practice watching your video's. I was wondering if there is a rosin you recommend? Thank you for all that you share with us! --Kylee M.

[@fiddl3hed]

Not particular....maybe Hindersine. I rosin about twice a week.

[@pathofthemayfly1232]

🤘🏼🦆🎻🎼

[@kconrad5893]

You go wayyyyyyyyy to slow. Just get to it for God’s sake.

[@fiddl3hed]

K Conrad 😂😅

[@michaelpreston233]

Should one look at the strings or away from them while practicing?

[@fiddl3hed]

Good question. At first look. Eventually practice closing your eyes while playing single notes.