Playing Old Time & Bluegrass Fiddle

Does anyone play old time and bluegrass fiddle? I am going to start learning, something I've wanted to do for a long time, but never did. Now, at 62 years old, I'm going to do it. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who plays, especially about things like how old you were when you started, how you learned, pitfalls and achievements. My fiddle will arrive on Monday (Feb 4th) and I am probably going to start with an online course and perhaps find a teacher for periodic lessons.

I have also started a blog to chronicle my experience at https://fiddlingforolderfolks.com/

I look forward to any replies and/or advice you can offer. Thanks.

I've made a few more posts in my blog since I made this original post yesterday. I would love to hear from anyone out there who plays the fiddle, and I know we must have some.

https://fiddlingforolderfolks.com/

I would not consider myself a fiddle player, but I have a fiddle that I attempt to play on occassion. I would love to  become proficient enough to play old bluegrass songs and hymns. My biggest issue is tuning it as I find it impossible to tune by ear and I break more strings on the fiddle than I do on a guitar.

mandolin player myself but have been around fiddle players my whole life, and I can play a handful of tunes on the fiddle. listen intently to all the bluegrass fiddling you can, be patient and avoid developing bad habits early on. Take's Bluegrass Album Channel is an excellent source on youtube. Pitch recognition is important, and having a good musical ear is essential for fiddle playing, with no frets you must have a great ear to even play the simplest tune. Best of luck!

Gail Jardin wrote:I would not consider myself a fiddle player, but I have a fiddle that I attempt to play on occassion. I would love to  become proficient enough to play old bluegrass songs and hymns. My biggest issue is tuning it as I find it impossible to tune by ear and I break more strings on the fiddle than I do on a guitar.

If you find it impossible to tune by ear, there are free online tuners that may help you. Here is one from Fiddlerman: https://fiddlerman.com/fiddle-learning-tools/online-tuner/
Just click on one tuning peg at a time.

As far as breaking strings, I found an article which may be helpful: https://www.connollymusic.com/stringovation/why-do-my-violin-strings-keep-snapping

Aaron Tusmith wrote:mandolin player myself but have been around fiddle players my whole life, and I can play a handful of tunes on the fiddle. listen intently to all the bluegrass fiddling you can, be patient and avoid developing bad habits early on. Take's Bluegrass Album Channel is an excellent source on youtube. Pitch recognition is important, and having a good musical ear is essential for fiddle playing, with no frets you must have a great ear to even play the simplest tune. Best of luck!

Thanks for the advice. One thing I have already learned from all the reading I have done, is that bad habits are usually formed early on because the student does not master the basic steps before moving on. I have signed up for online lessons with Dr. Josh Turknett at https://oldtimefiddle.net
He is the inventor of the Brainjo Method and his home page describes his method.

My fiddle arrived from the Fiddlershop today

Hey Jim,

Just wanted to say I liked your blog and will be checking back!

I think you should get a picture of yourself on there and maybe an "about" section.

Do you have a youtube channel or something that shows how you are improving? Would love to show my dad who is about your age. Trying to get him to take up a hobby!

Wow. I'm so into the music made of it. But I never had a talent playing it. I'm gonna follow you guys.

@Johnny Mango and @Samnantha Wilson …  sorry I haven't posted in this thread in some time. I have been working hard on my blog and my fiddle since I last updated here. Thanks for your interest. I do have a few early progress tunes recorded on my blog, Johnny, but haven't done any lately. (I really should update that area.) Lately, I have learned to play Angelina Baker, the Battle Hymn of the Republic (better now than the first recording I made!...LOL), Amazing Grace, Yankee Doodle, When the Saints Go Marching In, and Oh! Susanna. Progress has been forward, but slow. I only finally found an old time teacher a few weeks ago.

Anyway, if you are still interested, check out my blog. I now have 22 pages and over 90 posts in it. https://fiddlingforolderfolks.com