Blucy
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jason kleinberg wrote a new post 3 years, 6 months ago
Written by Jim Guinn
A Brief Overview of Old-Time Music
Old-time music is a unique form of North American folk music with its roots tracing back to the traditional folk music of England, Scotland, […]
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jason kleinberg wrote a new post 3 years, 6 months ago
At the FiddleHed monthly hour hours, Mike said, “Bow bounce has reared its ugly head again. Mostly on down strokes.”
Practice tone-building with the bow to overcome unwanted bouncing
Throwaway bow […]

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Tom replied to the topic A Tune For Lewis – Feedback Video in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 7 months ago
So I did. I wasn’t aware who might have been there that day, but I’m glad someone picked it up. Your versions sounds really good already.
I think it’s a relatively easy tune to learn and it is beautiful. It has become one of my go-to tunes to start a practice session and if anyone is willing to listen!
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Tom replied to the topic A Tune For Lewis – Feedback Video in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 7 months ago
Thanks for sharing that, Kevin! I discovered the same tune and its sad back story earlier this year, and since i cound not find any sheet music online, I had to figure it out by ear and learn it that way; likely same as you?
Eventually, I reached out to Kirstie Mclanaghan over facebook to thank her for writing it. She was happy to hear someone…[Read more]
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jason kleinberg wrote a new post 3 years, 7 months ago
This year we had 305 practicipants sign up for the Fall Practice Challenge 2022! I am so proud of all of you who did this. The comments had me on the verge of tears (the good kind). It’s like you guys have […]

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jason kleinberg started the topic A Tune For Lewis – Feedback Video in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 7 months ago
Here’s some feedback on Kevin’s playing.
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https://player.vimeo.com/video/761257444 -
jason kleinberg wrote a new post 3 years, 7 months ago
Fiddling With Desirable Difficulty
You’ll see more results if you learn to practice well. One way is to find that perfect level of challenge so that you’re neither bored nor […] -
Jim Guinn replied to the topic Tennessee Waltz Duet in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 8 months ago
Looks like you two had a lot of fun and it sounds good!
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Jim Guinn changed their profile picture 3 years, 8 months ago
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Jim Guinn's profile was updated 3 years, 8 months ago
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Jim Guinn replied to the topic Cluck Old Hen in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 8 months ago
Wow! You did a nice job with that!
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jason kleinberg wrote a new post 3 years, 8 months ago
You’ll see more results if you learn to practice well. Deliberate practice is a process which helps you to learn more efficiently. In a nutshell: Focus on hard parts that need work.
5 things to re […]

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Hey Jason, thanks for the motivation in this post. I’m a beginner fiddler who over the years keeps losing my way. I’m on a 3-month hiatus from fiddling now and I don’t want it to go any longer. Traveling and life stuff got in the way but I had my fiddle with me so it’s totally all my fault!
As I exercised on the treadmill this morning I listened to you and I’m ready to hit the strings again! Thank you for being the awesome teacher that you are and for being so supportive and motivating! You ROCK!
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Mary, thanks so much for sharing this with everyone. It’s great to hear you’re reinvigorated to Fiddle!
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Thanks for the email sending me this link. My approach to how I practice gets a little off because I never know where I left off or remember where to commence. I’ll heed your instructions and re-start my practice journal, which is already a mess—the extra help in learning how to live with my fiddle is invaluable and you can send me as many emails as your want.
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jason kleinberg replied to the topic Tennessee Waltz Duet in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 8 months ago
Yay! Great to see you both playing together…sounds sweet.
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jason kleinberg replied to the topic Feedback on Galway Bay Hornpipe in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 8 months ago
Good playing James, good teaching Jocelyn 👍
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jason kleinberg replied to the topic For Ireland I'd Not Tell Her Name in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 8 months ago
This is so sweet! You really sound good. I like hearing the baby in the background.
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jason kleinberg wrote a new post 3 years, 9 months ago
In this lesson, I’ll show you how to sing while playing backup with an instrument. I’m going to break it down into a step-by-step process for anyone who wants to sing and play backup at the same […]

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jason kleinberg wrote a new post 3 years, 9 months ago
Playing Fiddle Backup On Girls Just Want To Have Fun
In this video I sing and play fiddle backup for Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper. After I play it, I’ll talk about what we did…kind of a video “ […]-
Very cool! Yes, the mix of simple rhythms, chords and arpeggios, and short riffs really works well. And the “Norwegian Wood” interlude is frosting on the cake!
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Yeah! Really liked the lesson with a sneak peak into a creative mind. I used to be quite creative with a baseball or soccer ball. This is a learning process for me and I am enjoying it. Thanks for the video‼️
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This sounds great Jason, amazing what you can do with one voice, one fiddle and one drone. Thanks for the clear explanations and break down on how you work on each aspect of the song, backing and riffs. Please keep posting these videos, we’re learning so much from you.
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Hey, back again because there’s some great call-and-response with a fiddle on Cyndi Lauper’s recording of the Country song, “Begging To You.” Fits perfectly with the “how to play on songs” theme!
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Just read your email, “How To Sing And Play Backup” and couldn’t believe that the original “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” was in F#! Checked the official YT video on my keyboard and found it was true. Seems like such an UNidiomatic key for any of the instruments involved. I wonder if it was really done in F or G, then slid with the recording equipment of the mid-80s. Or maybe F# really fit Lauper’s vocal range better! Anyway, it was an intriguing bit of trivia. Thanks, Jason, for all your great lessons!
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Absolutely LOVED this lesson! Opened up so many ideas… and yes, Norwegian Wood was an inspiration in this tune! Thanks, Jason!
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This was absolutely wonderful! YES! Do more like this! I heard this song in a totally different way that captured my imagination and helped me think about ways to reframe many of the songs I know into something special. Norwegian Wood fit perfectly in there. I loved the Bb chords and key! What a wonderful lesson! Thank you, Jason, for taking the music to another level. ~Cindy
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Wow, glad to see I could still login to make a comment. This is definitely resubscribe material. The comments that came in ahead of mine really say it all (especially about the fish) this is the level I feel I need to focus on. Total teaching to it’s best at waking the mind up. I want more for sure.
The simplicity of chords used for singing was a light bulb on hi voltage.
Thank you.
Dan….
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jason kleinberg started the topic Garry Owen – Feedback video in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 9 months ago
Joanne wants feedback on on Her playing Garry Owen.
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jason kleinberg replied to the topic First Time Capsule Video-Little Liza Jane in the forum Student Videos 3 years, 9 months ago
Sweet! Sounds good. It will be fun for you to listen to this in 4 months, a year, 2 years, etc…
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jason kleinberg wrote a new post 3 years, 9 months ago
In this video I sing “Your Song” by Elton John and play backup on the fiddle. Then after the performance I explain what I did.
I’ve been learning to sing songs and play backup on the fiddle. Here are some […]

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This was so interesting Jason, I learnt a lot from you explaining your creative process. The listening, finding the triads for the intro, chord back up rhythms, descending bass line, slides. All the building blocks we can play with to make a song backing. Thanks for another great lesson!
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Playing on songs is a high water mark in the Fiddlehed program. This is the best explanation of playing along with a song ever!!!
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Wow 🤩
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What a wonderful article. Thank you.
This is a comment / question I have a really old fiddle that was given to me it has geared tuners on it is fully intact but fragile wood not play it but was played alot during its younger years finger board has dips on it from being played so much for a very long time anyway was just wandering if you’ve ever seen or heard of one set up with geared tuners
Hi
I don’t know why you are asking me about this. Did you hit the wrong reply button? in any case, what I do know is that my Best Buddy installed a set of geared tuners on a cheap violin about ten years ago. He purchased the product from George Hienyl ( or Heinyl – I’m not sure of the correct spelling). Apparently there were several types of tuner available but not all would be suitable for a valuable instrument since alteration to the instrument would be required, not something to do on a fine old violin I’d guess.
The Heinyl company has been around a long time and might be a source of information for you. They are located in Toronto, Canada and known for high quality, at least they were ten years ago. Times are changing so it’s hard to be sure these days I guess.
Outstanding article and very informative. Thank you !!!!
This was terrific – thanks so much for all the info!
This is great! Thanks for sharing.
Love this article. I moved out of an area in Florida that only played old time and landing in the middle of bluegrass in East Tennessee. Jam sessions have been an challenge. I never had to play “breaks” or sing before. All new. This article puts is all in perspective. Thanks.
Thank you so much for this wonderfully informative article. I am really enjoying rhe article, links, recordings and pictures.
Kudos to you, Jim and Jayson !
Fantastic article and examples! Thanks for a powerful Music History course in miniature!
Great to hear how you experience this, Pete.
By the way, you really should *categorize* this page so it’s easier to find and return to! (For now I’ve saved it as a Favorite, but that doesn’t help others who may never stumble across it!)
Thanks for this suggestion, Pete. I’ll pass it along to consider.