All the Different Ways you can use Scales to Practice your Irish Fiddle Tunes

[@jbyrne9073]

Hi Hannah, which scale would you say is the most Irish sounding scale ? I would choose minor as it so beautifully represents that haunting Celtic sound I’d love to use this scale as a warm up and you never know, maybe even find a tune in there😊 I know this is an older video but thanks for all the great content 👍🏼

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Great question! I'm going to say try some modal scales! Specifically Mixolydian and Dorian. You'll hear those modes fairly often in a lot of Irish tunes. Thanks so much, glad you are enjoying the content!

[@jillrice2577]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Great tips!!

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed :D

[@Finarphin]

At 6:12 I can see your grip. It looks like you're choking up on the bow quite a bit. It's similar to what Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh does. What's the rationale for that?

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

I definitely do hold the bow higher than I used to! For me it was just a more comfortable grip and allowed me to move with greater speed and bring out more of the subtleties in Irish music. Also I rarely if ever need to use the frog or even the lower third of my bow in Irish tunes, but if I was going to do a different genre where that was more necessary, I might switch back to the more classical hold. Overall I recommend holding the bow in the way that's most comfortable to you and gets you the best results! Plenty of pro Irish players use the lower hold.

[@dougnickerson]

That would eight on a bow , in terms of the d scale that you were demonstrating

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Yes, 8 to a bow if you're slurring two groups of four eighth notes! Maybe doesn't come up a lot as a bowing pattern in tunes, but you can break that up into 3-3-2 or some other combo.

[@kevinsingh811]

do u use ur hand to support the instrument?

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Hi Kevin! Thanks for your question. :) I'm mostly supporting the instrument from my collarbone/shoulder area (so if I dropped my left hand, I'd still have a solid hold on the fiddle from my torso). The left hand is more like a steadying guide -- and of course the one that is changing the notes!