Beginning Fiddle Backup, 1, 4, 5 chords

Make that pony run over some easy 1, 4, 5 chord progressions. Let me know how you like the camera angle in this video. It might make the bow direction a bit hard to see.

[@patrickepatterson]

Your lesson taught me more in 5 min than I've learned in years. Thank you!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thank you so much for the kind words. I had many great teachers and I am glad to give back and keep this music alive.

[@marymckeough8418]

Me, too! Thanks a million.

[@amandamcewan54]

Me as well thanks alot I was gona say that lol woohooo

[@alaskandesign]

This is so informative. So many people only think about melody with violin. Thank you for showing chord progressions in such a simple way!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You are most welcome. You are so right that people overlook how important playing backup is.

[@texashoppy]

I'm just learning that from you@@BluegrassWithFriends

[@97awhite]

Great lesson I’m close to 80 only been playing two weeks and I can do your lesson.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

That’s great? I’m 72 and been sawing at it for a month. I haven’t tried this yet, it never occurred to me. But i will, because I wanna jam with a guitar playing friend.

[@NM-js8ky]

😮❤

[@jack002tuber]

Best headless instructor out there! ☺😛🤗😆😆😆😆

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thanks Jack!

[@vunziejunzie143]

Great quick lesson. No excessive talking. Made the point. Thank you.

[@bobwerber2984]

Fabulous. That thing about the chords being in the basic tuning is so obvious - so obvious that I never noticed it in five years of playing. The true artist sees the obvious! Cheers

[@lesliebenson3013]

Can't believe how much time I've spent watching videos on chords. You just blew my mind! Thank you for making this so practical!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

TNX Leslie ! Keep on Fiddlin!!!

[@boblester738]

My prayers have been answered! Thank you!

[@vinfiddler5469]

Wow, Glad I found this. Will be practicing this . straight and simple. Thank you.

[@lilacxzplayz4561]

Oh gosh! This got me excited!! Love it!

[@warrenmyrick97]

This was such a great help. Thanks so much, very generous!

[@Nashville663]

I love it, getting straight down to real practical techniques, many thanks

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Allan, you're very welcome! thanks for watching! I like to cut right to the chase scenes. 😁

[@laurelholmes8277]

Learning these chords, at this angle, to see your fingers, is awesome help! The other videos its hard to see what your fingers are doing! So grateful for this one video for sure!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

I will try to shoot some more from this view. Thanks for commenting.

[@davesiler4064]

Mike you re great teacher, and I suspect, a great guy, as well!

[@fireguitardude738]

I dig it man your simple video has open up ideas for me. Definitely on of the better videos out there.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@carlmoeller56]

Dang...that was an awesome lesson! I learned so much. Thanks Mike!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Carl Moeller glad you liked it. Thanks for saying so.

[@terryhoffman8049]

The fiddle has been a second instrument to my guitar playing. I've learned a few songs but, never really felt comfortable with it. This fast easy lesson cleared up a few things. Thanks for posting this!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

I like trying to break things down and explain it in an easy way. Glad this helped.

[@SueHillMusic]

Very helpful, thanks! I'm trying to learn fiddle backup and this was a great reference.

[@comparticello]

Very nice tips! I’ve started leaning fiddle last week and your video helps a lot 🤗🎻thank you!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You are so welcome!

[@brianethridge208]

Wow, blows my mind how simple you made that! Thank you fine Sir.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thank You ! Brian Ethridge.

[@deniseellenburg649]

I think it was AWESOME! Picked up the fiddle last spring. Immediately fell in love. Am realizing I can get more help by searching out technique/tips/tricks than going the standard route. I'm a trained pianist and read music already, so its been more about trying to create years of muscle memory usually achieved via the standard instruction course, in a hurry on my own. Have nearly driven the family & neighbors crazy but am getting better & more confident every day! I refuse to quit. The goal is to be a contributing member of a band again but on the fiddle this time & not the other instruments I already play. Having a blast!!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Denise, your enthusiasm for the fiddle and music will take you far! Check out my Fiddle playlist for more videos.

[@lookierebuddy2]

Love it! I'm a beginner enough to see this simple concept as a huge bump toward making actual music. Thanks. Just got to learn me some hocum bowing and I'm hoppin' aboard. When the art can be distilled down to its essence it's a great gift to aspiring musicians.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Check out my Orange Blossom Special video which breaks down hokum bowing. You can find it on the Fiddle playlist on this channel. Thanks for The encouraging words!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH2ThmiLf5yNi9E. Here's a link to that bowing

[@indus7841]

Thanks. Im coming from playing a banjo so this type of movable chord shape is exactly how i think musically.

[@allenmcmonagle5544]

That's a good instructional video especially for the newbie strugglers. Well done.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thank you Allen!

[@kapamarou7389]

thank you Mike,great lessons

[@tatianaviera5327]

oh man thank you so much!!! , now i can play fiddle in the easiest way .Greething from Argentina !!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

De nada. 🤠

[@97awhite]

Enjoyed it . I’m practising it every day, only Ben playing one week now a rank beginner.

[@robamberson773]

Another great tutorial ! Keep ‘em coming.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thank you Rob Amberson!! getting ready to launch the book series , so its busy around here. Take Care!!

[@jeffunderwood6235]

Awsome lesson. I am going to try it out

[@custerranch]

Just happened onto your channel tonight as I look for easy fiddle lessons. This is great!! I'm trying to switch from rhythm guitar to fiddle. If I can learn the double stop fingerings for each fiddle chord, I can play along on stage using my years of guitar chord experience. So excited! Please keep the easy fiddle lessons coming, including more double stops!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Will do. I have a good double stops/chords lesson in mind for you that I will post soon.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You asked for more double-stops, so here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3WcqYOZbdGHj9U Let me know how you like it.

[@custerranch]

Thank you! As a long time guitar player, I know when to change to I, IV, and V chords, just not where they're located on the fiddle neck. Thanks for the help!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Hey, I finally got around to getting my pdf of that neck chart posted on my web site. You can download it as a printable file at: www.bluegrasswithfriends.com/free-stuff Let me know if you want to see this chart for other keys.

[@custerranch]

Nice chart! I can use it to figure out G and C double stops, then I'll be able to at least chord along with most songs at the next jam. Enjoyed reading about your musical family on your website! Sounds like my family's band we started when we were kids. Good memories! One question about the side-by-side double stop on the low A note and the low E note. Are these done with one finger covering both strings? My skinny finger is having a hard time covering both and staying intonated.

[@kendall1971]

Perfect!! I had no idea where to start.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

It is quite easy with just a few pointers for starting out. Happy fiddling.

[@williambradford3627]

Clear and great technique lesson. Thank you!!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

THANKS William! Keep on fiddlin!!

[@leopardtiger1022]

Thank you for this simple very effective musical lesson...

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You are most welcome. 🙂

[@mariemorris7031]

This is GREAT!! Thanks can't get over how "simply great!!!!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Hi Marie, glad you liked this lesson. 😃

[@mariemorris7031]

was neat!

[@susangahr1312]

thank you! helped me so much!

[@tantavi1940]

Great lesson!!! I have subscribed to your channel and I want to request more violin lessons or performance. Love your style of music.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Check out my fiddle playlist on this channel for many more lessons. Any particular tune or song you want to learn? I can post something for you.

[@imb4u8debbu37]

Thank you heaps. You make it seem easy. Now to get my fingers to do that. 🎻

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Deb B , you are very welcome. I am glad you liked it.

[@mrwdpkr5851]

That looks EASY !

[@patriciaurie1977]

LOVE THIS!!!!!! Thank you so much!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Enjoy!

[@yaarad]

love it .thank you .

[@mattildahubbardo]

Thanks i learned a lot from this vide. I especially liked when you played that passing dominant 7th chord

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thank you Matilda Hubbardo! i appreciate it!

[@This.is.it307]

Precise and excellent instruction!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thanks for saying so. I appreciate your comments.

[@blaineday8675]

WOW...what I think is... I'm going to give it a shot. Thanks teach!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Your welcome Blaine!

[@rickmannoia5659]

This is GREAT!!!! Thank you so much.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

So glad you liked it.

[@nancybitter3270]

man !!! you make it look so easy &I fun!!! thanks!!!!!!!!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Well it is fun for sure and it gets easy with a bit of practice. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 😃

[@stephensheridan93]

Very interesting - Thanks Mrs. Sheridan

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You are most welcome! Enjoy your lockdown practice time. 😁 Perfect for learning a new instrument.

[@MisterstereoOso]

Wow ! That was so cool, I’m on the verge of starting out on my fiddle journey & you are very inspiring ! Big Thanks, stay safe( away from COVID-19) ! 🤪

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Perfect time to get lots of practicing in and to watch videos, this stuck at home thing is fun until you miss jamming with your friends. I guess we can sing harmony through a mask. Have fun with the fiddle!

[@johnaustin1825]

Very helpful with chords and bluegrass rhythm - thanks.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Lloyd-mo]

good refresher

[@StreetWorksMedia]

Thank you for this video MT! I really appreciate the resources here on youtube for a new fiddle player. I just started recently as an adult and it's been challenging. I've been fine with single notes and scales so far, but the double-stops , or chords have been a mystery to me. I will try and listen by ear and figure out exactly what chords you're holding.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Hi Street, thanks for the kind words. You might like this chart I posted on my website for Notes on the Mano neck (the fiddle is the same as the mando. It shows the basic double stops. It is on the Free Stuff page along with some other charts and stuff. www.bluegrasswithfriends.com/free-stuff. Have fun fiddling.

[@sodaesq.6366]

this helped so much, thank you!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You are very welcome! 😁

[@bjwmorgan]

that's awesome, thanks so much for sharing this

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

YOUR WELCOME barry c !!

[@jarrodhood2578]

Just the blue moon of Kentucky with no finger I crapped my pants!! Thank you so much

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Ha ha, you made me laugh with this comment. I take you mean it in the most positive way possible. 😂😂😂

[@dalepoulette]

Holy fawk, I needed you in my life, now I know that bow skill

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Put a little fiddle in yer life! 😆

[@dalepoulette]

@@BluegrassWithFriends I bought a 1919 antonio costarella at a pawn shop, got it all ready to play, now looking for some lessons online, I cant learn from anyone else having a hard time but you seem to make it easy.

[@dalepoulette]

@@BluegrassWithFriends 1919 Antonio Curatoli Violin 4/5

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

@@dalepoulette take a look at my website bluegrasswithfriends.com. I have books that go along with this site, and I give private lessons via Skype, FaceTime, etc. Or just write me questions here and I will try to answer them by making a video. My fiddle playlist has tons of stuff, but my Bluegrass with Friends Fiddle Book 1 has a nice logical progression that can be really helpful to get off to a good start. Fiddle playin' ain't hard. Heck, a country boy like me can do it. 🤠. I am happy to help. My goal is to get more folks enjoying playing music .

[@paulharty3081]

Excellent overview

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thank you Paul. 😃 Check out my Fiddle playlist on this channel for lots more.

[@heatherhandyful]

Thank you for this video it was very helpful

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Glad it was helpful! Once you master this, the rest is easy! (Or hope so, anyway... )

[@roycetheripper5842]

Damn this video is great

[@blainesenior9981]

Great! Thank you!

[@gillanjacques7817]

Thank you! What a great approach

[@DonBrowningRacing]

Wow, I was looking for another channel and found yours and love it, subscribed after the first lesson. Big help, 145 application and basic rhythm. Camera angle is fine. What are the wires to the bridge? Is that linked to an amp? Really helpful, thanks, again.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Don ,Thanks for the interest,yea that pick up system i didn't really care for as it had a transducer under the feet of the bridge arrecting bridge height as well as the transfer of sound to the body.i have a ZETA electric violin that works pretty good for a high volume situation and i have a clip on mic system that sounds more natural but will feed back in a high volume situation.tnx again mike

[@missjanice66]

It’s early Sunday morning, my poor neighbours! Brilliant lesson

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Ha ha, at least is not the bagpipes.

[@rongore4337]

Best damn lesson ever!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thanks, Ron. Glad you liked it.

[@Lapislightning]

Hey Mike, thank you very much for covering Chords on the fiddle. i feel like there arent many resources to learn that from. Im Impressed how you are able to keep the run-pony rythmic bowing while singing. I tried and it is realy, realy, hard. I would love to learn that, could you give me any advice on playing the fiddle and singing at the same time?

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Hello Justnotthisway, Thanks for your question! I like to take things "one at a time". Find an easy song to sing and play maybe a 2 chord one like Little Birdie or Hot Corn Cold Corn,maybe one you already can sing..practice singing the song 10 times a day for about 10 days, Practice playing the chords with run ponys 10 times a day for the same 10 days . Then put them together 10 times a day for 10 days. You have to get so good at the run pony thing that you can do it without much thought! Also use the modern tools to help , make a recording on your phone of the song with run ponys to practice singing and playing along with. HAVE FUN and THANKS! Mike

[@raymond4u100]

Thank you for this sir

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You are most welcome, my friend. :)

[@howardmanley3388]

So good thank you....🙏

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Happy fiddlin' friend. 🙂

[@howardmanley3388]

MT Music Lessons ❣️

[@3dwow]

That's great Mike , just what I needed to get me started! What make of fiddle are you playing?

[@mikeparsons4297]

Thanks David !!my fiddle was given to me by my grandfather albert parsons,in 1970?i'm not sure exactly.but it was repaired by s.w.daniels in 76 and i'd had it a few years at that point.the label reads"copy of ANTONIUS STRATIVARIUS made in GERMANY in 1786...it's probably a german student model from the early 1900s.

[@pooonastik1]

@@mikeparsons4297 That's awesome! Still sounds great, too. Catchy tune, nicely explained.

[@DonBrowningRacing]

So I got to your site and it is loaded with variety. Lots going on. I started very late in life on the guitar then to banjo, clawhammer, now trying to understand the violin and mandolin all to enjoy myself and keep my mind active. On the video above when would you use the D G A strings vs D G and the A on the first position of the G string. Does it matter how you do this if you are jamming along with a group? What is the best way to use your sites for a violin beginner?

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Hi Don, thanks for your interest and comments. Well, you know I made this site, just to answer questions and post interesting lessons for folks. It is not really organized as a course, but my Bluegrass with Friends Fiddle Book 1 is on Amazon. It is well organized for getting started. These videos you can find on the playlists by instrument on this channel. You might just look through and see what interests you and put them in your own playlist. Also, don’t forget you can write a question in the comments and I request a video about your topic. I will have the videos for my Bluegrass with Friends books posted later this summer. They will be in a start to end order. Q: When would you use the DG and A string open. The main answer is when you are bored with the open strings, try the fingered ones. It is a bit harder and makes it for fun for you. How you play the back up does matter when you are jamming because you want to stay out of the way of the the lead player. What I mean by this is if they are playing in a higher register, you try to pick a lower register so they will be heard over you. Also if they are playing a run-pony rhythm, perhaps you would play “chucks” or whole notes so your rhythm doesn’t conflict with theirs.

[@chazworm3]

This will help me immensely in my quest to be the Johnny Ramone Of fiddle.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Are you working on Blitzkrieg Bop? I'm sure it would sound great on fiddle. Have fun.

[@chazworm3]

Blitzkrieg Bop has a II chord too. Most of their stuff had II and VI chords too. Johnny and Dee Dee was aware of their limited skills so they usually had 4 chord songs. I figured out the solo to I Wanna Be Sedated on fiddle. It’s a 4 chord song but immediately after the incredible solo they do a key change. It’s hard to move the capo that quick on my banjo.

[@francelavergne9926]

Absolutely amazing! Would you have a link to the sheet music, so I can follow at my speed please! Thank you so much!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Oh darn, I don't have the music written out, but you can check out my fiddle book here: www.amazon.com/Bluegrass-Friends-Fiddle-Book-1/dp/0999385534 Don't forget you can use the little gear icon on KZbin and slow the videos down. It corrects the pitch automatically so it still sound pretty good, but slower. I posted a video for how to do that earlier.

[@TheRailroaddan]

Awesome! Thank you

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Hi Danny, you don't happen to run a really fun bluegrass cruise, do you? My assistant, Shawna, went on it in February with a group of friends.

[@TheRailroaddan]

@@BluegrassWithFriends No sir but I met him here in Washington state at the darington bluegrass festival his son is also named Danny and plays in the US Navy bluegrass band .

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

@@TheRailroaddan Ha ha, there are plenty of Mike Parsons around too.

[@kristinarusinol]

thank you, so usefull

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cathygoltsoff9615]

Awesome

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thanks, Cathy!

[@michaelharvey5138]

I think the camera angle works....I reckon it's more like a learner holding the fiddle would see it !...👍...

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

That is what I was going for, the fiddler's viewpoint. Thanks for noticing!

[@dissident9911]

Thanks!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Dissident , THANK YOU!!

[@catherinegage5597]

I think it might be Good !!!

[@BangOng]

Friggin cool

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Bang Ong Thanks!

[@RalphHamilton]

Hey Mike great video. Camera from your left side might be easier to see your fingers but not sure. Thanks very much though. Appreciate the lesson :)

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

I'll give that a try! Thanks!

[@LEON..D]

Ty

[@donkeyphukkkker]

You're the bomb

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thanks so much! I am still young enough to know that that is a good thing. :)

[@sophiaraphael7529]

Thanks !!!! 🌹 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You're welcome 😊

[@steerpike50]

good stuff

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Glad you like it.

[@americanboondocks]

This makes me believe I can learn fiddle at 45 years old!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You can! Practice 15 minutes a day and you will be surprised how much progress you make. It is never to late to dive in. 😀

[@northcountryoutlaw9704]

Just got my first fiddle two days ago. I'm so used to 6 strings and I have no idea what I'm doing

[@yopasjim]

Insightful video! I play banjo, but this interests me.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You might like some of my banjo videos like this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKrLhaOFr61_mac.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Or this one that includes 1 4 5 for the banjo. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnLQoKymnbRlY7c

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

And by the way, thanks for your comment. I really appreciate it.

[@yopasjim]

@@BluegrassWithFriends you are very welcome!!!

[@johnnybx3254]

Yee Haww Thanks 👍👏👏

[@chrismorgan3158]

Great

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Thanks, I am glad you found the video helpful.

[@TheWendable]

😲 thank you

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

You're welcome 😊

[@TheWendable]

MT Music Lessons OMG you replied, thats it, Im practicing my vibrato all day tomorrow because of you, thank you for replying oh gosh, I feel worthy you’re amazing 😉

[@debranowell4698]

I learnt more in 1 hour KZbin than in 2 years of face to face teaching.

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

The beauty of having a teacher is that they can observe your playing and offer suggestions on technique. Small bits of feedback can make a real difference. Videos on KZbin are fantastic and I’m so glad you found mine helpful. You probably had some good basics from lessons that made it easier for you to learn from videos. 🎶😀🎶. Soaking it all in. Have fun playing the fiddle!

[@wrk2115]

Thanks

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

your welcome!

[@TnSn5]

More pls 😁

[@mrmote-xt6oy]

thank....

[@wadesmoke9726]

That's a good easy way to sing a song while noting a simple shuffle that goes in the right keys for a somg

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Right Wade a good place to start, easy to be in tune on open strings.

[@wadesmoke9726]

@@BluegrassWithFriends Thank you, I am a Hoedown dance fiddle player but I never got to learn how to really do a good break or nice melody of a backup ..Thanks for the tips..I layed my fiddle down for over 20 years and was shocked when I tried and realized I had almost completely lost the gift God gave me

[@silverstarthehybrid8122]

I play violin but I am trying to learn to fiddle. This helped. Can anyone recommend anything else I can watch, as well?

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Check out my Fiddle playlist and Bluegrass with Friends Fiddle Book1. Let me know what you think.

[@selinacox8862]

Reminds of a train , how much pressure should you put on the strings

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Medium to light bow pressure, and also med/light finger pressure with the left hand.

[@georgelgrama5943]

good, I can pick a chord on the violin with one finger on the G string the note C with the third finger and on the D string the note G with the 3rd finger and on the C string with the second finger and on the E string the note G with the 2nd finger and it forms a musical chord

[@stephensheridan93]

Would learning a mandolin 2 finger chord book also help out New violin & banjo player since Coronavirus ‘Musician’ since 1975

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

eb757b0c-1395-41e1-b15d-c1df8220becc.filesusr.com/ugd/1a50db_8439be9e9991479db572a5842c3ff94f.pdf See the link above for a handy chart of 2 finger chords (double-stops) for fiddle, mando, or tenor banjo. Or go to my www.bluegrasswithfriends.com webpage and click the Free Stuff page. There you will see the download for notes on the mando neck. These will definitely be helpful for the fiddle. You can also find my Music instruction books on Amazon here: www.amazon.com/Mike-Parsons/e/B0872LC221

[@leuicowelch116]

My fiddle has the same tailpiece inlay.

[@fchiodos7373]

the amount of rosin built up on this violin lmao omg

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Ciel Phantomhive , ha ha, it is played hours every day so that is some of it, but I should clean it more often. It does get cleaned believe it or not. But it gets played hard too. 😀🎶

[@ironandzinc]

What is the tuning on the violin? Standard tuning?

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Yes, standard tuning. G D A E

[@CC-te5zf]

I'm just getting started - is this standard tuning?

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

Chad Cox yes, it is in standard tuning.

[@CC-te5zf]

@@BluegrassWithFriends Thank you. I've played guitar for over 40 years. I just ordered my first violin and I can't wait to get started. This particular lesson is nice. If I can figure out the bow I can be playing something the first day. That's a confidence builder. Thank you!

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

@Chad Cox kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn2Wp2hsrZybotU Here's a little video I made on the basics of fiddle bow technique. My Fiddle playlist has some great beginner songs too. Hope this helps you.

[@chriskelly9653]

So if a minor chord is in the melody how is it done on the fiddle ?

[@BluegrassWithFriends]

if you are playing the open string D chord(1D and 5A) its Both Major(1-3-5) and Minor (1-b3-5) it does'nt have the 3rd note in the scale in it.Thanks