Sly on fiddle at church last Sunday. Sorry the video quality is so poor, but I hope you can still see/hear that they did a great job!
Showing posts with label fiddle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiddle. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
I'll Fly Away--adding grace notes
I walked in on Sly today practicing his fiddle and captured a bit on video. He was working on "I'll Fly Away," which he and K on guitar/vocals, B on mandolin, and D on string bass are going to play in church either this Sunday or next. His fiddle instructor, W3, has him working on adding in grace notes. So, here he is. Not bad for only having been playing fiddle for about 8 months now! Go, Sly! You're awesome!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sly has a new fiddle--this time for keeps!
When Sly first said he wanted to learn bluegrass fiddle, I shrugged him off and waited. He continued to ask for fiddle lessons, so we went and rented him a violin from one of the local music stores. There was a 4 month minimum to rent, and it was a rent to own. That worked for me--a chance to try this fiddle think out, without sinking TOO much money, and we could decide later whether to keep the fiddle we rented, give it back, or maybe even upgrade if he really did take to playing fiddle.
During that rental time I had done a little more research online, and discovered I could get the same fiddle online for less money, or more fiddle for the same money. And so, the decision was made to give this rented fiddle back, and to watch how Sly progressed. Needless to say, it became obvious he was going to keep playing fiddle, and getting a better fiddle for the same price might be a fair idea.
We talked to Sly's excellent fiddle player, and he directed us to an excellent luthier (violin maker) who was not TOO far away and provided violins for him and many other professional violinists, along with many student violinists as well. And so we went to Mr Stanton's in with a recommendation for a 'student 3' package.
What a neat person! He had three awards on his wall from the governor of the state, plus a framed invitation to GHW Bush's Presidential Inauguration. He was full of stories about local history too. It would be so much fun to get to follow him around and watch him work! But we were pressed for time, and I was stressed trying to manage Jman and SB3, who I had to bring along as well. Ah well, maybe another day!
Anyhow, a pretty piece of change later, and Sly now has his very own fiddle for keeps, including a much nicer bow, a nice case, a new and better shoulder rest, and an extra bow for back up. The boy is set! We spent the same amount of money we would have spent on the other rented fiddle, had we purchased it outright, but this new fiddle sounds SOOOO much better, even to my untrained ear. Everyone at the jam last Saturday agreed too--Sly has a terrific fiddle now! One of these days I'm going to figure out how to efficiently upload video so you can hear him play if you want (or you could come visit us!).
During that rental time I had done a little more research online, and discovered I could get the same fiddle online for less money, or more fiddle for the same money. And so, the decision was made to give this rented fiddle back, and to watch how Sly progressed. Needless to say, it became obvious he was going to keep playing fiddle, and getting a better fiddle for the same price might be a fair idea.
We talked to Sly's excellent fiddle player, and he directed us to an excellent luthier (violin maker) who was not TOO far away and provided violins for him and many other professional violinists, along with many student violinists as well. And so we went to Mr Stanton's in with a recommendation for a 'student 3' package.
What a neat person! He had three awards on his wall from the governor of the state, plus a framed invitation to GHW Bush's Presidential Inauguration. He was full of stories about local history too. It would be so much fun to get to follow him around and watch him work! But we were pressed for time, and I was stressed trying to manage Jman and SB3, who I had to bring along as well. Ah well, maybe another day!
Anyhow, a pretty piece of change later, and Sly now has his very own fiddle for keeps, including a much nicer bow, a nice case, a new and better shoulder rest, and an extra bow for back up. The boy is set! We spent the same amount of money we would have spent on the other rented fiddle, had we purchased it outright, but this new fiddle sounds SOOOO much better, even to my untrained ear. Everyone at the jam last Saturday agreed too--Sly has a terrific fiddle now! One of these days I'm going to figure out how to efficiently upload video so you can hear him play if you want (or you could come visit us!).
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Old Joe Clark
At the end of Sly's first fiddle lesson (3 weeks ago), his fiddle instructor told him to go home and listen to at least five different versions of "Old Joe Clark" on youtube every single day, and try to play along. By the end of the week, he was squawking out a very recognizable "Old Joe Clark."
Three weeks later, Sly went to one of the local Saturday morning bluegrass jams, where he was ushered up front by several of the folks in attendance. It wasn't long at all before the lead mandolin player (Mr W, the fellow who told us to go to the fiddle instructor we ended up choosing) had Sly up there with him and a group of guys all playing Old Joe Clark! Sly had decided do just play "mandolin style" instead of using the bow, and Mr W partnered with him so Sly wouldn't have to "rise and shine" entirely by himself. And Sly did GREAT!
As folks were leaving towards the end, many of them came over to talk to both Sly and me, telling me to keep him playing fiddle, to not let him get discouraged, and reminding him that the most of the guys he was playing with had been playing for fifty years so don't get discouraged. I think he was a hit!
Sly also got invited to join the folks at a local monthly "opry" and play with them, and he was invited to another gentleman's house to see a music writing computer program called Music Time Deluxe. We weren't able to go over Saturday night (this new momma was just too beat!), but we did get to go over Tuesday evening, which worked better for us since we had a babysitter for the other boys and Sly's fiddle instructor was traveling. As it turns out, that was when some other folks regularly go to Mr N's house to practice jamming with each other and using Music Time Deluxe. We had no idea what we were getting in to! But lo and behold, Sly found himself getting yet more personalized impromptu jam music lessons for both fiddle and guitar! Is God cool, or what?
Anyway, just wanted to share a bit about my fiddle boy, how proud we are, and how great he's doing in such a short time, and how God is setting him up with all these amazing hook ups. You go, Sly! (And if anyone can tell me how to upload a three minutes of video in less than three hours or more, I'll upload the video clip of him playing at the jam on Saturday morning!)
Three weeks later, Sly went to one of the local Saturday morning bluegrass jams, where he was ushered up front by several of the folks in attendance. It wasn't long at all before the lead mandolin player (Mr W, the fellow who told us to go to the fiddle instructor we ended up choosing) had Sly up there with him and a group of guys all playing Old Joe Clark! Sly had decided do just play "mandolin style" instead of using the bow, and Mr W partnered with him so Sly wouldn't have to "rise and shine" entirely by himself. And Sly did GREAT! As folks were leaving towards the end, many of them came over to talk to both Sly and me, telling me to keep him playing fiddle, to not let him get discouraged, and reminding him that the most of the guys he was playing with had been playing for fifty years so don't get discouraged. I think he was a hit!
Sly also got invited to join the folks at a local monthly "opry" and play with them, and he was invited to another gentleman's house to see a music writing computer program called Music Time Deluxe. We weren't able to go over Saturday night (this new momma was just too beat!), but we did get to go over Tuesday evening, which worked better for us since we had a babysitter for the other boys and Sly's fiddle instructor was traveling. As it turns out, that was when some other folks regularly go to Mr N's house to practice jamming with each other and using Music Time Deluxe. We had no idea what we were getting in to! But lo and behold, Sly found himself getting yet more personalized impromptu jam music lessons for both fiddle and guitar! Is God cool, or what?
Anyway, just wanted to share a bit about my fiddle boy, how proud we are, and how great he's doing in such a short time, and how God is setting him up with all these amazing hook ups. You go, Sly! (And if anyone can tell me how to upload a three minutes of video in less than three hours or more, I'll upload the video clip of him playing at the jam on Saturday morning!)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Rosin up your bow--it's fiddle lessons time!
Sly had his first official fiddle lesson last night. Yes, fiddle, not violin. He specifically wanted to learn to play bluegrass fiddle, so fiddle it is! And today he's been working on finding "Old Joe Clark" on YouTube and trying to play along. While he can't exactly keep up with the videos on YouTube, he has managed to "find" the melody and can pluck it out mandolin style or squawk it out with the bow, and has also "found" the tune on guitar as well. Not bad for a brand spanking new beginner!
Sly's instructor we chose is quite the guy. He's young (maybe 20?), been playing violin since he was 4, Suzuki trained, plus certified to teach Suzuki, plus a performing member of the city symphony, plus in a string trio with his brothers, plus in another band, plus pre-med, plus a Spanish minor, and of course teaches lessons, including one night teaching underpriveleged kids in a nearby town. Whew! Is that wild or what? Oh and he plays and teaches guitar also. Makes my head spin! (and yes, he was homeschooled--anyone surprised?!? Of course not! Ha!)
When we first met this guy to "check him out," he played "twinkle twinkle little star" on the fiddle. Then he played it "classical" ororchestral style. Then he played it jazz style. Then bluegrass style. Then Celtic. You name it, he can play it. Pick your style. Or make your own style! Versatile doesn't begin to describe it! He's willing and able to teach Sly what Sly wants to learn, with the approach that Sly wants to learn with, plus being able to throw in other twists and styles when/if Sly decides he's interested in that too. There's not just one "box!" How cool is that?!?
Sly's first real lesson consisted of both note reading, including written homework, and some basic direction on how to hold the fiddle and the bow when Sly asked for clarification. He was also given the assignment to listen to at least five different versions of "Old Joe Clark" on YouTube everyday and try to play along. We both now have the tune for "Old Joe Clark" stuck in our heads, which was of course probably part of the whole point, of course! AND Sly can play a squawky but definitely recognizable "Old Joe Clark" on the fiddle already! Woo-hoo!
There are "bluegrass jams" at various local venues almost every Saturday around these parts. I've been trying to get Sly to them for at least a bit when I can this month, but of course there's Jman's bowling which has temporary priority since it's only two months long anyway. However, Sly's teacher says he's gonna try to get Sly ready to join in the jams as soon as he can, including teaching him "band ettiquette" about when and how to join in. Way cool! Afterall, that's part of what it's all about--learning how to jam with others! We're both looking for more than "book learning" with his fiddle lessons, and like I said, I think we may have found the right guy to provide that. Plus, he can provide crossover guitar stuff as well! Woo-hoo!
So, anyway, Sly has officially begun fiddle lessons, and I think is off to a great start! We're both excited! Now I'm thinking maybe I need to start taking some banjo lessons, or maybe mandolin--we already have one of those!
Oh, and yes, Jman and SB3 are interested in the fiddle (and guitar) too, much to Sly's great consternation! I think it's kind of cool though! Sly's just worried about them breaking the instruments (or untuning them, or touching them, or looking at them, or looking at the case, or anything else related to his beloved, precious fiddle or guitar!). We may have to get some "beater" instruments that they can play around with without wigging Sly out. :)
Sly's instructor we chose is quite the guy. He's young (maybe 20?), been playing violin since he was 4, Suzuki trained, plus certified to teach Suzuki, plus a performing member of the city symphony, plus in a string trio with his brothers, plus in another band, plus pre-med, plus a Spanish minor, and of course teaches lessons, including one night teaching underpriveleged kids in a nearby town. Whew! Is that wild or what? Oh and he plays and teaches guitar also. Makes my head spin! (and yes, he was homeschooled--anyone surprised?!? Of course not! Ha!)
When we first met this guy to "check him out," he played "twinkle twinkle little star" on the fiddle. Then he played it "classical" ororchestral style. Then he played it jazz style. Then bluegrass style. Then Celtic. You name it, he can play it. Pick your style. Or make your own style! Versatile doesn't begin to describe it! He's willing and able to teach Sly what Sly wants to learn, with the approach that Sly wants to learn with, plus being able to throw in other twists and styles when/if Sly decides he's interested in that too. There's not just one "box!" How cool is that?!?
Sly's first real lesson consisted of both note reading, including written homework, and some basic direction on how to hold the fiddle and the bow when Sly asked for clarification. He was also given the assignment to listen to at least five different versions of "Old Joe Clark" on YouTube everyday and try to play along. We both now have the tune for "Old Joe Clark" stuck in our heads, which was of course probably part of the whole point, of course! AND Sly can play a squawky but definitely recognizable "Old Joe Clark" on the fiddle already! Woo-hoo!
There are "bluegrass jams" at various local venues almost every Saturday around these parts. I've been trying to get Sly to them for at least a bit when I can this month, but of course there's Jman's bowling which has temporary priority since it's only two months long anyway. However, Sly's teacher says he's gonna try to get Sly ready to join in the jams as soon as he can, including teaching him "band ettiquette" about when and how to join in. Way cool! Afterall, that's part of what it's all about--learning how to jam with others! We're both looking for more than "book learning" with his fiddle lessons, and like I said, I think we may have found the right guy to provide that. Plus, he can provide crossover guitar stuff as well! Woo-hoo!
So, anyway, Sly has officially begun fiddle lessons, and I think is off to a great start! We're both excited! Now I'm thinking maybe I need to start taking some banjo lessons, or maybe mandolin--we already have one of those!
Oh, and yes, Jman and SB3 are interested in the fiddle (and guitar) too, much to Sly's great consternation! I think it's kind of cool though! Sly's just worried about them breaking the instruments (or untuning them, or touching them, or looking at them, or looking at the case, or anything else related to his beloved, precious fiddle or guitar!). We may have to get some "beater" instruments that they can play around with without wigging Sly out. :)
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