Musician Andrew Bird Answers Violin Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

[@dkmarzipan]

Andrew Bird calling himself "a songwriter and composer" is like Leonardo da Vinci calling himself a sketch artist.

[@QueenOfDump]

Humble ❤

[@scrubsjl]

Not really no…

[@jopo7996]

When this guy gets excited his heart rate goes up to 60 bpm.

[@derrickstorm6976]

Nah he was just really high

[@cz2301]

his adrenaline was high while doing the video

[@TheDamagedKoda]

Wow that's super slow haha that's saying his resting heart beat is even slower because he's super calm cool and collected hahah funny understandable joke! Haha good one!

[@JoshuaTootell]

Well, my resting heart rate is ~40 ​@@TheDamagedKoda

[@TheDamagedKoda]

@@JoshuaTootell lol you silly goosie

[@brendanressler4359]

He's a great violinistist but his true talent is whistling. Have him do whistling support next

[@JoshBelville]

I got on a bus in Portland years ago and Andrew Bird was on the bus with his violin heading to a show. It was just cool to see a musician I loved hanging out on the bus.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

josh, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@MichelleAiello]

Yep! I stood behind him in line at Starbucks before one of his shows

[@mongarcia9151]

Saw this on instagram somewhere: "The violin has strings, while the fiddle has ~strangs"

[@JustFiddler]

violin singing... fiddle dancing

[@tommyatkinson7312]

The difference between a fiddle and a violin - nobody cares if you spill beer on a fiddle

[@tristanblake1843]

violin has strings. fiddle has thongs

[@lordofthestrings86]

It's a "fiddle" if you're buying it; it's a "violin" if you're selling it.

[@HisNameIsRobertPaulson01]

I really enjoyed the gentleman's no bs demeanor on answering the questions. You can tell he takes music very seriously and is well versed in explaining it and I admire that.

[@starkparker16]

Guy just whipped up a groovy little song super casually like a champ.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

stark

[@Stehako]

That is Andrew Bird for you.

[@abandonallgolfcarts]

sounded like a movie or video game soundtrack and it took him no time to do it

[@clairesnelson9961]

I played the violin in middle school 18 years ago and have wanted to get back into it.. my daughter found my old violin a few weeks ago.. maybe this and the fact she found mine is a sign form the univerise to get back into playing. I truly did love it and would love to play it again

[@PublicDisturbanceNJ]

Deww ittttt!

[@bobmcbobbington9220]

Same thing happened to me, but with my fifth of vodka

[@許安-b2j]

Gooo fam! It’s time!

[@grendol6968]

The key is to have fun. I wish you both luck.

[@HD-xk3km]

Not sure why it wasn't mentioned in the video, but it looks like he's playing a custom violin + viola hybrid, with 5 strings instead of four: E, A, D, G + the viola's lowest string, C (the viola is a larger instrument and is tuned one fifth lower than the violin). As other commenters point out, the scroll and f-holes are also non-standard. I also heartily agree with others about the cost of violins. Yes, a beautiful, professional-grade instrument will cost thousands, but I found a great old Hungarian violin on Craigslist for $400.

[@jannasaslaw9986]

I think 5-string violins are not uncommon these days, especially among people who play solo. Gives a wider range, just like 5-string bass guitar or 7-string guitar.

[@ttaibe]

Viola come in many sizes. It's family of Instruments, some of which are smaller than a standard violin.

[@victoriaeads6126]

He's an unusual musician, so I wouldn't be surprised if he had a custom instrument made, or even if he modified it himself.

[@Joe1729]

it's not a hybrid, it's a 5-string violin, with a low C. You can get 5-string violas as well, with a high E, so they have the same strings, but the difference is that this has a violin body, so the higher notes are more resonant, while a 5-string viola has a larger viola body, making the lower notes more resonant.

[@birdlawco]

yeah it's a custom 5 string violin, I've seen him talk about it before

[@jonathanwingmusic]

I've been following Andrew Bird's career since early on (I'm old lol) and while I know he was a classically trained violinist growing up, I always think of him as a songwriter/singer who happens to play violin (rather well too). Interesting to label this video "violinist answers questions," which implies a professional concert violinist which he is not, plus his approach to violin is slightly more niche as evidenced by his setup. (I sooner think of Hilary Hahn, Joshua Bell, Ray Chen, many others...). Nonetheless he's talented all around, also loved seeing him acting on Fargo!

[@chandrawong449]

He also didn't clearly answer many of the questions.. not a natural teacher.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

jonathan, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@bobmcbobbington9220]

He's a whistler, lyricist to me.

[@benwhittaker1030]

Andrew bird ❤

[@laurenhoffmanmusic]

His album “The Mysterious Production of Eggs” is in my permanent collection

[@audreyjohnston6879]

I saw him in concert last week!!!! I saw this title and was like OMG ITS ANDREW BIRD

[@danceswithdirt7197]

Yay Andrew Bird.

[@pherretofdoom]

i heard the difference described as "i don't care if you spill beer on my fiddle"

[@keymatrix]

I've heard the difference is "the nut on the end"

[@lds2484]

Love that first answer. Calm, supportive, hopeful. A good role model for all of us to strive toward in various aspects of our daily lives.

[@Lotato]

Seeing him in august, been listening to him for years. Def check out his music if youve never heard his music! Manifest is legit one of the best songs ive ever heard

[@DC_ABC_123]

We played a show with Bird years ago. I was a huge fan since the pre-Hot SNZ days and I remember thinking when I shook his huge hand (he's tall) how much more impressive it was that he could play so incredibly with those huge hands. Buckethead had a huge guitar but Bird was playing a standard violin at the time.

[@CriterionCafe]

I've been a huge fan of Andrew Bird for over a decade. It's great to see him on WIRED.

[@chrisf3000]

They look similar, but the fiddle has a red neck

[@gordatados]

Ha!

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

chris

[@nickridout5511]

hilarious!

[@Bradleyey]

“Violinist” …you misspelled “national treasure”

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

brad

[@jamesthiemann9108]

I agree with you on that one my eyes, go to where the misspelled words my eyes are drawn to it!

[@fabriciotorres6634]

What a great surprise to see Andrew Bird here! I saw him live on a few occasions in London and loved his music since the Mysterious Production of Eggs 😄

[@ushere5791]

MOAR of this SME, please! his answers are exquisitely concise, complete, and clear. i've always wondered whether strads sound the way they do because of the aging--because the varnish has become so integral to the wood itself over time. and i'd love to know what this gentleman thinks of wayne henderson violins--they call wayne henderson the appalachian stradivarius, and his violins do indeed sound rich, dark, and haunting.

[@saint-naive]

I loved seeing him perform live inside a church in Minneapolis. truly beautiful performance! one of my favorite concerts to this day. :)

[@PettyPolite]

I LOVE ANDREW BIRD!! Huge inspiration!!

[@packnetadaija]

This is so beautiful, I always really admired violins

[@Foxstep_le_cat]

For a second I read "violinist" as "villain" lol

[@zacharygrenier8249]

Would still make sense haha whats more dramatic than violin

[@erica22595]

Now that’s a Tech Support I’ll be waiting for.

[@meredines]

Violence Support

[@elkesmith8564]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@victoriaeads6126]

Dr Strings? Yup, Dr Strings!! That was my favorite Jack's Big Music Show episode, and the first time I was introduced to Andrew Bird!!

[@sebastianestrada4690]

I never thought I would see Andrew here

[@AGPullen]

His point on price is way, WAY over exaggerated. You can get good sounding violins for far less than $1000. $8k is if you're going into a philharmonic or something of that scale, or getting something custom made for you. It does depend on craftsmanship, but also the bow, bridge, and stings used.

[@contrapunctusmammalia3993]

i kinda disagree with him about Baroque violin as well. There is no actual historic evidence that you don't use vibrato - it's just a modern expectation (one of many) about how early music 'should' sound. There is, however, a lot evidence about that era of music being very ornamental and expressive, it's just not written on the score.

[@adambe1126]

Imo, it's both a massive overestimate and massive underestimate. For a beginner, you would start with something for a few hundred. Once you get past the beginner stage, a decent full size instrument probably starts at 1k. Of course this is a luxury that many people can't afford but this is really the price where decent instruments past beginner level start. For someone studying at conservatoire, 1k is just not going to be good enough. The bow will be more than that nevermind the violin. You are looking at min 5k but probably more (sometimes your conservatoire will lend the instrument). Then professional level orchestral violins will have instruments starting at 30k as an absolute minimum. The orchestra employs you because of your sound and anything less than that will not give you access to the colour variation or volume that is required at that level. Soloists will play on instruments that are 6 figure or more (you wont get a strad or del gesu for less than a few mill) but they often have antique value and the soloists will not own them so it's slightly different. But yeah, I think his point about 8 to 10k was really talking about the pro world and he's not close to the crazy money that pro level violins cost. If you're interested, go listen to soloist Ray Chen trying different instruments at different price points. There is a whole world of difference.

[@averyc7492]

Mmm less than $1k? Idk about that. Could just be the environment I was in (played consistently for 15 years) but all actually good violins were at least 3-4k+ and this was like 15 years ago

[@ThisIsTheInternet]

Andrew Bird is a world touring, accomplished musician. Pretty sure he knows what he's talking about

[@dareelpeeps290]

​@@ThisIsTheInternet he doesnt

[@lbanks1164]

I love seeing the videos about music!! We need more! Y'all ever thought about doing Disco Support? Like why was the disco era so short but so powerful? Who started it?? Do you think it will come back around? Who were the Disco greats?? Lol

[@jakegreenhalgh6253]

TwoSet are going to have a field day with this one...

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

jake, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@Nephlim20]

The Birdman is in the building, people!

[@wildgoblinpi]

One of my favorite people AND favorite musician!

[@mprescod5593]

Did he use Mozart as an example of Baroque? I was always told Mozart is the Classical era. 3:00

[@triggerfish9967]

Right? Something is off about this guy. He speaks like hes having an existential crisis.

[@samflower4534]

mozart is definitely classical i think bro just has no clue what hes yapping about. baroque would be like bach

[@oxoelfoxo]

not much vibrato on Classical era music, too

[@goober8798]

Mozart studied Baroque as part of his influence. Baroque era? No. Baroque influenced compositions? Yes. It's such a nit pick, but it's the internet, so I guess people will say anything to make themselves feel supa smaht even if it means missing the point of what someone is saying who has built a genre crossing career int he instrument they are talking about. I look forward to your Wired Tech Support session on Trolling about things you know nothing about. It can be just a video of you scrolling through Wikipedia alphabetically.

[@mprescod5593]

@@goober8798 Apologies. I was not aware that asking a clarification question and citing the source of my confusion was considered trolling. Thank you for explaining the nuance that Mozart was inspired by Baroque even if his compositions are considered classical. The video did not make that point clear to me.

[@softeststages]

andrew!!!! god his new album is lovely

[@goober8798]

He finally made a full Jazz album. Even better is he got Tom Poor on drums. Incredible album!

[@MajahetBijtje]

What is this first SACRILIGIOUS instrument?!! LingLing would be dissapointed ;-)

[@fillhixx]

The only difference between a fiddle and violin is the nut behind the bow.

[@JavelinHands]

I'm an amateur musician and developing my sense of time has been one of the hardest parts of learning. Working on it every day though - less afraid of the metronome than I used to be!

[@thisusedtobemyrealname7876]

You will get there. I'm a drummer and using a metronome or a click track when practicing is mandatory for us. You will learn to relax eventually and start to feel it yourself if you are rushing or dragging. I'm retired as a drummer now but some beat or rhythm plays inside my head everyday still and I still love watching drummers do their thing and music in general.

[@Crazy_LG]

Pulaski at Night is a wonderful song, this guy knows what he's doing.

[@grahamgilmore42]

I really hope the next video is “whistler answers whistling questions”

[@Ciesiam]

My daughter played first string violin in the symphony up until she was 18. I liked your answer on the difference between a violin and a fiddle. What surprised me was that you didn’t mention the musician must regulate the bow in a violin. ❤

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Hey, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@kartaiss]

Do I play the violin? No. Do I want to play the violin? No. Do I care about the violin at all? Also no. But have I thoroughly enjoyed this video? Very much yes :)

[@elguionimporta]

We had guitar, drums and now violin... I demand a "Bass Support"!

[@TheRecordium]

ANDREW!!! WHOOOOO!

[@Bulldogg6404]

Many people don't question how the symphonic violin came to be, but we in the concert halls like to joke about how someone in history decided to hollow out a stump, rub tree sap on the tail of a horse, and drag it across some pig intestines that had been stretched out across the wooden frame, and came to the conclusion that it sounded pretty. It's obviously not 100% accurate, but it's close enough to the truth to get a laugh.

[@ThisIsTheInternet]

"Violinist Answers" - couldn't maybe put his name in the title? Andrew Bird is a pretty well known musician...

[@oxoelfoxo]

it's the Wired Tech Support format (even Yo-yo Ma doesn't get named). i would think his name is in the description

[@rayvoorhies7180]

The string spacing is different on a Fiddle. It's because bluegrass often plays 2 notes (double stops) or 3 notes (chords). You "could" play bluegrass on a standard setup violin. It would be more difficult. The bluegrass players I know took their violin and had a new bridge made with wider string spacing. Making it functionally a bluegrass fiddle.

[@steveowens398]

These are questions for Andrew, who may or may not be listening. Both fiddles have embedded bridge pickups. Are you using mike pickups internally as well? I'm also curious about the finish wear up high on the right side of the top - that could be caused by bowing, but it's very high on the body. Do you bow up there consistently? The five-string's body is great, especially the reverse scroll and non-F-holes. Is it slightly larger than standard? It looks more like a viola to these eyes.

[@ericfurman5227]

I wish someone would have asked him about fiddler’s neck 🎻

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We appreciate your insights. You’ll always have our support.

[@cclockwise_ll3]

At 8:15 - I wear an earplug in my left ear most of the time that I'm practicing, especially for higher-pitched practicing.

[@capajc565]

What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle? About $4,000

[@ernieramos2792]

I love Mr Strings....IYKYK

[@elizabethcc2126]

Hey just a question, why is one of his violin’s have 5 strings and interesting looking f holes?

[@DIYHRTlover]

They make 5-string violas and violins to increase the range of the instrument so the tuning is C G D A E. They're pretty cool, although the C string on a violin doesn't sound as deep and the E string on a viola doesn't sound as bright. Luthiers usually change the size of the instrument or make it electric to compensate for that. Not sure about the f-holes, probably a stylistic choice.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

elizabeth, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@kickhisassseabass318]

Viol d'amore style holes

[@Dertberr]

The Mysterious Production of Eggs is an amazing album by this man.

[@owogangleader7835]

8:01 IS THAT WHY MY LEFT EAR ISNT AS GOOD AS MY RIGHT EAR???? 😭

[@dalpowers]

Always loved the Strings & Percussions💯🎵❣️

[@someguycalledCh0wdah]

He needs to replace his instrument cable, one of the ends is about broken, that's that occasional loud electric buzz is when he moves around

[@katherinerichardson2273]

wow violin is complex and incredible

[@mxrty78]

I need a TwoSet Violin reacts

[@johnlopez7921]

BRAVO!!!

[@DevinJuularValentine]

Chanot style violin? Nice. The bent back scroll is a bit freaky but i wonder if it makes tuning the pegs more comfortable in the hand, one handed ..

[@genevieve-with-grief]

Andrew Bird!!! ❤🎉

[@qwazse4]

I could have used his chill explanations when I was a kid learning trombone. So much crosses over.

[@adamcapoferri6903]

Ummmm, Mozart was Baroque? I hope that was a silly mistake.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

adam

[@goober8798]

It wasn't . Mozart was influenced by Baroque style, but wasn't born in it.

[@skittybee]

I was thinking this too lol

[@joseyse7en]

If it ain’t Baroque, don’t fix it

[@musicman3351]

My accounting professor told me the difference between a violin and a fiddle is that you can spill beer on a fiddle

[@hwizell7478]

Strings vibrating bows Violins greater than sounds Fiddle Leaf unfolds

[@Fixing-my-life]

Cool instrument - 5 strings and interesting f-holes.

[@MrEnigma1610]

I enjoyed this episode very much.

[@williamxu2402]

8:12 I think I understand what she was asking, but the expert in the video didn’t get it. Very often I see professional violinist speeding up in their solo or concerto. Actually it isn’t quite “speeding up”, but more of a “not pausing enough” - they don’t pause fully for the rest notes, but just start early playing the next bars; and the whole band got left behind and have to catch up. Only the pros do that, so it’s not that they don’t have good sense of beats or good skill. It is more like a style - a style that normal people and amateur like me don’t understand or appreciate.

[@analisaruiz6846]

And it's not that a violinist speeds up. They LEAD the orchestra because they're playing a solo. They set the tempo as soon as they play their first note.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

william

[@williamxu2402]

@@analisaruiz6846 I’m not talking about tempo. Their tempo is correct and steady. It’s like someone walking at the normal pace like everyone else, but always start crossing the street a few seconds before the lights turn green. You may not get what I’m saying if you haven’t seen a musician doing that. Not every musician does it.

[@Diogofioriribas]

I love your songs Andrew!!! 😊❤🎉🇧🇷🇨🇦

[@Michael-Oh]

The early music didnt have vibrato thing is very contentious. Treatus's do exist that recommend vibrato.

[@MichaelHoeschele-n5t]

For $1,000 you can get a fiddle/violin that will serve you well for years. The violin has a steep learning curve for most of us. Get a good now ($500+) find a good teacher and practice, practice, practice. A good teacher will really help.

[@ralts6464]

Whats the point of downbow and upbow

[@largedarkrooster6371]

Because you can't just play downbow/upbow all the time. Downbow generally will sound stronger and have more attack whereas upbow will generally sound softer. This is because there's more weight at the frog than the tip

[@samuelungar6528]

Generally you alternate them because you can't just keep the bow going in the same direction forever, but they do have different qualities of sound (down bow is more harsh, better for accents and chords)

[@aldencrispin1086]

Also resetting the bow, stops the sound. If you want a continuous sound(which you do most of the time in general, and for a long note, or to keep the phrase going) you need to alternate.

[@mskatefish]

Love these

[@orionthatman9390]

Doesn’t matter how niche the topic is, if it’s a Wired support video I’m watching 😂

[@arlencox3827]

I honestly thought a lot of his responses were vague - it's weird that WIRED didn't go with any of the existing living legends like Hilary, Joshua, etc. They got Yo-Yo Ma for the cello video, so surely they have a pretty wide reach to contact people? Twoset would have been a great choice at least, since they're used to being on camera and are more personable. Andrew doesn't give the impression that he's the best pick to represent all violinists.

[@maxturgeon89]

He would have been a more obvious choice for whistlers

[@jonathanwingmusic]

I love Andrew Bird's music but I agree, I don't think of him is a pro concert violinist since he's more of a songwriter/singer among other things. Great artist but wouldn't be my first thought to reach out for a violinist.

[@samflower4534]

yea i definitely agree his answers were very surface level and im pretty sure a high schooler could've done the same job as him

[@oldcowbb]

he is not a man of science

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

arlen, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@aerelyamirart]

Vibrato is just flexing on the violin. I remember being so proud of myself for actually succeeding to do that. 😂

[@mtv565]

@4:48 - Not true! In many blind tests, some high-end modern violins already sound better than Strads!

[@DrewsOnFirst]

You see this with banjos too. People pay silly money for 100 year old Gibson banjos and will argue unto death that they are the best. You're telling me that in the intervening century of manufacturing progress we don't know how to make a better banjo? GTFOOH man.

[@jmcd21182]

It's more about re-creating the specific sound than sounding better or not

[@mtv565]

@jmcd21182: Why do we need to recreate something worse, when some high-end modern violins already surpassed Strad and Guar??

[@elisinger4172]

They should have had a him (a fiddle player) and an actual concert violinist … his techniques on vibrato was not the best.

[@shaalis]

What is the dif between a fiddle and a violin? The number of teeth in the player's mouth.

[@anamealastname607]

waiting for twoset

[@gregolitius]

More instrument episodes please

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

The wood was floated down the river to Stradivari rather than shipped ... some microbes grew during the trip

[@davidfranklin5426]

Amanda Shires says it’s a fiddle when you want to buy it and a violin when you want to sell it!

[@danniballecter7936]

You should get Twoset Violin to do this.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

dannis, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@mrpianoman3835]

The difference between a violin and a fiddle is that a violin has four strings and a fiddle has four strangs.

[@86fifty]

2:30 - Always wondered, now I know! The instruments are literally the same thing?? Well dang!

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

hello

[@sabrinai]

Twoset needs to react to this.

[@yaeli_i_guess]

i love andrew bird

[@DeputatKaktus]

Bro woke up and chose violins.

[@maxturgeon89]

I love Andrew Bird, but I think there's a reason this viseo is much shorter than other support videos

[@eckertdm]

For anyone wanting a better answer than “idk it’s hard, just keep trying” for vibrato, look into Simon Fischer’s exercises. They focus on how the finger should move, how the wrist or arm should move, and on gaining control of speed and width of vibrato using a metronome. Many pros use some variation of them as a warmup.

[@hirohiro758]

The man that win whistling competion against bird

[@dashiellhunold4490]

if you haven’t heard this guys music, DEFINITELY check it out, it’s so good

[@eduardo.boheme]

It took me four years to become a mediocre violinist! (then I gave up, but I love it SO MUCH)

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Hey, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@aldencrispin1086]

If you enjoyed it pick it up again! It’s totally worth playing just for the sake of the music

[@Hurricayne92]

Yea I picked up some of these techniques just by watching violin/string players, but i guess thats just the fate of the brass section 🤣

[@CheesyDuk]

why the heck does the violin have 5 strings

[@DrBonely]

Crazy pegbox on one of those instruments...the scroll curls the opposite way and has 3 pegs on one side. Interesting!

[@DrBonely]

Ah ha, just realized it is a 5-string violin/viola.