I would really appreciate some serious replies to this question re. how to get started on the fiddle. I would like to know what you did to get started.
I would be interested to know what exercises to practise. (obviously scales ). I have a few simple tunes off already.
Thanks.
hi Flauta…saw your post on session, but will feel better answering over here…there are those who will say that just play the tunes and the rest will come…I am not one of those people..you have to have some technique and a teacher will help emmensely at least to get the fundamentals down first so you don’t make bad habits later…not to be arrogant or to start a “which is harder” but I play a little flute also…took me 3 months to get a good toned solid low D…if you are getting a good tone on an open string on the violin after 3 months you are doing good…of course opnion varies as to what is good tone.
http://violinmasterclass.com
to get started, though, try this web site…it is a teaching site, and very well done, although somewhat technical, but more is better than not enough, I think. Take your time. HTere is a lot to try and get a grip (hahaha) on.
as far as particular books, some of the Suzuki books are good as they are the only “complete” curriculum for violin, starting at book 1 and advancing in technical skills from there. There is something to learn from each song. Don’t be afraid to play 'twinkle" and to do the bowing patterns. The same bowing patterns appear in the Bach “Double”.
Have fun, and if I can help more, let me know..
Blaine
I second Sunnybear’s suggestion to find a teacher - at least for the fundamentals. I love teaching myself to play different insruments and have successfully taught myself to play a whole bunch of instruments. When I first took up the fiddle it became apparent that the fiddle’s so different from any other instrument I’ve learned that I would need ‘professional help.’ Even better would be to find a mentor in your neck of the woods, (Dublin, Ireland? I am so jealous…) some fiddler who’s willing to share their knowledge for a few pints…
In the mean time you can practice straight, long, even bows on open strings at various speeds and at different contact points on the string. At the same time, practice holding the violin without clenching while you’re playing. You can also start working on your left hand position- which must be relaxed, and getting used to the positions of the fingers for the various notes. (The D scale is a good place to start. Start on the open D string.)
Do you already have a fiddle? What tunes do you already know?
Good luck in your fiddlin’!
Aldon
Hi there,
You need to get yourself to lessons as soon as you can - it’s the only way.
There’s good classes for all instruments and at every level on in Monkstown in the Culturlann on Wednesday nights. You’ll find the address in the book. The term starts next week I think. I’m not sure who teaches fiddle now as it’s 3 years since i taught the harp there.
If it’s too awkward for you to get to Monkstown, there are also classes in Marino College on Saturday mornings.
Both of these are in the form of group classes, which is good for learning and of course there is a social aspect too. If you find you’re progressing well in a year or two, private lessons could benefit you.
You’ll find a reasonable priced fiddle in Waltons.
Good luck with it.
I doubt if I’ve progressed much farther than you. I do work out a new tune or 2 every couple weeks, but it’s apparent to me that these self-directed efforts aren’t going to get me anywhere fast without some expert technical advice. I’m looking for a teacher now.
Any tunes I know is from having played trad. music on other instruments. I know a few polkas (rhythmically, polkas are more feasible).
I know “O the britches etc.”
I’m sure I could play some others, I still need to familiarise myself with the instrument.
Will keep u posted.
Thanks you Big Time, I will ring Marino College now.
Ciara
I was asked my teacher to pluck the fiddle, the bowing will come later, he says. Any advice as to what he means ?
Ciara
Does the teacher have you bowing at all?
This is a tried-and-true technique for learning the notes of a tune or scale, and for playing after your family has gone to bed. 
Basically, you finger the notes as if bowing, but instead of using a bow, you pluck the string with a guitar pick or similar object. (You can do this with your fingers, but if so, do it outside the bowing hollow to prevent soiling the strings in that area.) That way, by the time you learn the proper bowing for the tune, it’s already in your ears and fingers, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
No, he hasn’t got me bowing yet. We have taken a step backwards…as he wants me to be confident when I do start.
I have a question, what are “bowing patterns” as Terry Crehan would refer to them ?
I hope you check out the college classes. What Brassblower said is true about getting the tones right. This can be a challange even later on because of the lack of frets of course on the fiddle. I read that even more advanced players can be ‘not quite on’ with their intonation. One exercise for this is to play an open string, say the ‘e’ and then play that same tone on the next string (a) with the fourth finger. Playing them in sucession helps you hear if you’re playing it in the right spot on that ‘a’ string. You can do the same on each of the next 2 strings as well of course. One other thing I read about helping with intonation is when you’re playing a piece of music try to be singing along in your head as your going. For instance if you’re playing Greensleeves (which is a great tune for becoming familiar with the layout of the notes) try and sound out the next note coming up in your head right before you play it. This way you’ll tend to be more accurate and not fool yourself into thinking the note you played is right on, even though it may be a little bit off.
I don’t want to critisize your teacher’s methods because every teacher probably has their own approach. Often times though one of the first things a fiddle/violin teacher will have a student do is become familiar with the bow by drawing the bow across each open string very slowly and working on producing a nice tone. I’m not exactly sure why you couldn’t be also working on this as well.
…anyway, hope you also check out the college!
Well if you have a few simple tunes under your belt you are off to a good start.
Learn a few more tunes…keep on learning more tunes.
I’ve been playing fiddle for 35 years now and I honestly believe that in anothor 35 years I’ll still be learning new tunes and new ways of approaching those tunes.
Pick it up, stick it under your chin and play…it’s that simple.
As time goes on you’ll get better.
It’s a way of life..not a hobby
Slan,
D.
I am taking lessons with Terry Crehan. 
I don’t have a “chest rest” or decent “rosin”.
I should really practise more…I wish I had started when I was younger.
…that explains it.
The chest rest is usually called a shoulder rest. Not everybody uses one, but most players do. If you have a particularly short neck you might get away with just a small pad or cloth, or nothing at all. A “Kuhn” or “Wolf” model is probably the most common.
Get some decent rosin - most cost around €5-10. I’d recommend Hill Dark Rosin as being particularly popular with fiddlers.
Sounds like you’re in good hands with Terry Crehan. He’ll have you practising the bow all in good time.