In creative endeavors, technique is helpful, but not at all necessary. Raw creative expression is as simple as playing or doing something simple, completely on purpose, with complete inner authority. This is something that someone who has never played a note before can do in their first day, if they
Author Archive | fiddlejamman
How NOT to Scratch & Squeak on the Violin
By fiddlejamman on December 22, 2013 in Beginner Violin, BowTek, By Knowledge, By Sight, FingerTek, Lesson List, Music Essentials, VioTek
This one was first produced for a direct Facebook ad campaign. I think it is good info (even if it is a bit long-winded). I cut out the FJI commercial in this version for you, but you may still hear me reference “as you will see on the site” in
Loop Jam Tracks fixed 12-21-13
Thanks Francis for pointing it out! All the audio tracks on our Loops Tracks page were dead. All fixed now. See Loop Jam Tracks in all 12 keys. Loop Tracks are great for trying out new ideas with a rather blank canvas, harmonically speaking. Just roots and 5ths strummed
Conflation CD – electronica violin!
Check out my Conflation CD on iTunes! It is also available on Amazon and at about 15 other internet music retailers (for those who are anti-iTunes). It is a new departure for me. I’m rather pleased and proud of it myself!
Tennessee Waltz – classic hit from 1950
By fiddlejamman on December 16, 2013 in By Ear, By Knowledge, By Sight, Cornerstone Styles, Country, Country & Western, Fiddle Tunes, Fiddler’s Tab, Folk Fiddle, G major, Jamming 102, Lesson List, Major Scale, Music Mechanics, Note Name – Finger Number, One-Room-School-House ORSH, Staff Notation, Style Studies
This tune has been recorded 1000’s of times by countless artists. I arranged it in the fiddle friendly key of G here. Patti Page’s 1950 hit was in the key of F. Here’s the chart & audio play-along tracks… This tune has been recorded 1000’s of times by countless artists.
Up On The Housetop – LeeRon Zydeco video
A Buffalo holiday classic. I played and recorded with my friend LeeRon Zydeco (Ron Davis) on and off for 10 years. My tenure with this band was an important part of my musical development for sure. The experience definitely deepened my roots! This video was done at the same time
No Exit Strategy – Conflation CD Lesson
By fiddlejamman on December 11, 2013 in Artist Level, Blues Scale, By Ear, By Feeling, By Knowledge, Dorian Mode, G minor, Jamming 102, Lesson List, Music Mechanics, One-Room-School-House ORSH, Pop
Fun stuff! Opening cut off my “Conflation” Translucent Records CD. Standard A440 tuning. All G minor… G Dorian to be exact, though I threw in a few G blues scale notes here and there too. Simple melody (see Chart below) is loosely improvised throughout the song. Ad lib as you