How to Play the Hokum Bow on Orange Blossom Special

[GuiedosTube]

@blueiis2 You're very welcome...it's all you. People are quick to say that things are bad because they aren't particularly in "tune" with them. What they fail to realize is that different styles aren't necessarily bad, they're just different. What's the coined phrase...Different Strokes for Different Folks? I say just respect what's out there and take it for what it is. Enjoy what ever trips your trigger. Thanks again. -E.

[GuiedosTube]

That was a very good, thorough lesson. Being a violinist (Classically Trained - Non-Fiddler-Yet) I found your method of breaking things down very well thought out. Kudos to you for having the teacher's touch.

[blueiis2]

@GuiedosTube Thank you! Especially nice to hear from a classical player since I know not all *fiddle* things are okay for classical players.

[olfiddler]

I am 75 1/2..............

[olfiddler]

I am an old woman that has tried all my life to do this. You are the most wonderful teacher....Thank you a kazillion times!!

[blueiis2]

@olfiddler Just goes to show you are never too old to learn something new!

[NCJOE54]

chris,here's an idea. try setting up your camera over your left shoulder,from behind, and up high. afriend of mine tried this, and after a little fanagling and experimenting with the lighting, he got some really great shots and new perspectives that helped him explain his lessons. He was tickled with the results. giv'er a try and see what you think.keep up the great work. You are a very good teacher.thanks

[damevid]

"mighty-fine!"



[simplystrings4U]

Thank you for your instruction on this. I have been playing for 1 year now and i am to the part of speeding up. Not in auto pilot yet but soon. Once again thank you.

[marvinwardsmusic]

You are a very good teacher. I had a teacher and he couldn't teach half as good as you so I just decided to teach myself, but i learned alot more from you thanks!

[marvinwardsmusic]

This was helpful thank you.

[ninjaboytellem4]

Can I do this on the C and G string on my Viola? or is the fingering different for that?

[blueiis2]

@ninjaboytellem4 You can do that but you'll be in a different key.

[deafannieboo]

can somone pls tell me how to get the sheet music for this song>/ I can only find an "easy orange blossom special. it doesnt have any of the "train" sound parts....

im looking for it online for free perferably... thanks deafannieboo@yahoo.com

[sudnesh1]

thank u



[fromconsyntrate]

FANTASTIC! Thanks for sharing!

[blainelucyk]

Concise, correct, and superb - thank you!

[russofamerica]

So cool!  Music baffles me. Great video!

[Burnzeeone]

Awsome, I play a little guitar, but always wanted to play the fiddle. Too bad there is no teachers where I live. Do you have dvd for beginners who never played fiddle and want to finish with this song ? Need to learn scales, well you would know. :) Please let me know any info on that, thanks...Love It....

[blueiis2]

@Burnzeeone I have two banjo DVDs out, but no fiddle yet. I hope to do this some time soon, though! I'm sorry I can't be of more help to you right now! If you've mastered this part, then you've done the hard part!

[jille423]

Wow, wonderful job with this video! I find it extremely helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this!!!

[rockghost1704]

You are a fantastic teacher and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to make this video ( even if we can't always see the positioning of your fingers)!

[rockghost1704]

You are a fantastic teacher and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to make this video ( even if we can't always see the positioning of your fingers)!

[AlesandroMoon]

Wow great!!!!

[MICHELLE1AA]

hello, excellent video! Can you do a video on Silver bells (Spanish two step) ? thanks. can't find a lesson on here anywhere.

Ma

Nova Scotia

[7Crowman]

Thank you so very much! This is the part no one wants to show you, and its' been pretty well impossible for me to pick it up by just watching someone. You're a wonderful teacher!

[blueiis2]

@7Crowman I'm glad you found this helpful!

[copperhead1234567]

Is she playing the obs in E or D ?

[blueiis2]

@copperhead1234567 It changes keys. The first part of the song is in the key of E, but the hokum bow part (which is what I'm teaching in this video) is actually in A.

[copperhead1234567]

@copperhead1234567 thanks a lot ....

[FlipG59]

Excellent lesson Thankyou!!!

[upiperbob]

Your are an amazing woman, thank you for all of your inspiration. Bob

[MrSkippylen]

hi there,i am 57 years old and have decided to learn to play the violin,of all the instructon videos on you tube yours is by far the best,you speak clearly and precicely.i shall follow all you vids,keep em coming,wish me luck.

[rghoyos]

excellent!!

Thank you very much for these tips

I'm subscribing right away ...

[cableaddict]

Thanks!

-Your vids are great, overall.

[cableaddict]

Thanks.

btw: I realize this is mostly about the bowing, but it would be so much more helpful if we could actually see your left hand as well. 

[blueiis2]

@cableaddict I'm so sorry. This is one of my earlier videos that I shot myself.  Now I use a mirror behind the camera so I can see what you are seeing. You'll just have to listen to my instructions as to where to put your fingers. For what it's worth, it's either 1st and 3rd (high) or 2nd and 4th.

[limpopo2]

Very helpful! Any chance you might do a video for the rest of the song kind of like you did with "Back up and push?"

[blueiis2]

@limpopo2 It all depends upon how much time I have... :o)

[LarchSt]

You are a great teacher..., I wish the front end of this video showed the finger placements better. Most of the fingering was off camera... But thanks for the help

[MrStevo635]

My pinkie won't cooperate at all, (and it looks like I actually need it here) any suggestions?

[blueiis2]

@MrStevo635 You might need to check the location of your thumb. If you move the thumb more under the neck rather than the side of the neck, it will release your pinky. My pinky was really weak and uncoordinated when I first started using it, too. Now it's better, but I still *worry* about using it some, believe it or not! It's like it gets inbedded in my brain that it's weak...

[MrStevo635]

@blueiis2 thanks, that does help.

[s2122838]

Thanks! I have the fingering now - pretty basic really. It sure does make it easier to learn Back Up and Push first, though...great advice...

[imat1232]

I love your video,.. but I can't see where you're placing your fingers :(

[blueiis2]

@imat1232 Listen and I am telling you where. I didn't do that on purpose, but I have no one to operate the camera so I had to guess that I was in the right spot. Now I use a mirror behind the camera.

[copperhead1234567]

is double notes as the sams as STOPS

[blueiis2]

@copperhead1234567 Yes, double notes and double stops are the same thing.

[copperhead1234567]

Thanks you

[s2122838]

it's so frustrating...why don't you show the fingering at the beginning?

[hellindc]

Just let me simply say "thank you." I feel like I'm finally on my way with this song thanks to that lesson.

[53lincoln]

Thats the thing with a fiddle, if by some miracle, you learn to note the damn thing, then the bow kills ya. I love fiddle and violin music and i have 3 myself, but they have to be the most aggravating instrument to try to learn to play.

[blueiis2]

Yeah, I know what you mean. My banjo students are the ones who usually tell me if one hand looks easy, you can bet the other one is twice as hard. (That's not exactly how they say it!!!)

[53lincoln]

ive noticed in some of your vids that you have fingerboard tape on the instrument, i wonder if you could post something showing how to put the tape on. I mean how to know exactly where to place the tape. Thanks.

[blueiis2]

Yes, I'll do that. I'll keep your message in my inbox and let you know when I do that.

[53lincoln]

cool, thanks for all your great vids.

[53lincoln]

Hey, i found the vid where you explained how to do the tape on the bass, i guess the procedure would be the same for a fiddle...thanks alot.

[blueiis2]

Although it is not exactly like the way I am playing it, you can find it in Advanced Fiddling Solos, Instruction & Technique by Craig Duncan. It is published by Mel Bay.

[Iamknowntobite]

Outstanding!!!

I have been a musician and instructor for 44 years and I don't think I have ever seen the instruction of a piece or technique shown so eloquently and helpful!

[blueiis2]

Thank you! I appreciate your comments!

[jlettrich]

Thanks so much for the help. I'm coming to Old Time Fiddling from classical, and this is just the kind of help I need! Many thanks!

[auntiemuffin]

I'd love to learn "Stay All Night, Stay A Little Longer", which YOU could probably play in your sleep. Please turn your recorder on when you go to bed tonite :) I'll be watching for the video.

[blueiis2]

I actually LOVE this song! Zane (in my band) sings this one sometimes even though it's not really bluegrass. I think I always played banjo on this, though. If I ever get around to it, I'll post it. I'm so far behind........

[rskurow]

You are a great teacher, but when you slide around in the chair, somehow you remind me of my dentist. But seriously, thank you very much for explaining this in a digestible way.

[blueiis2]

Your comment cracked me up! No one has ever said I reminded them of their dentist! If I ever get rich and famous, I'll have my own camera person and won't have to use my roller chair.

[oldwilliam59]

i just want you to know that i appreciate this lesson very much, and thank you for doing it... i used to play the fiddle some many years ago, and am now trying to get back into it.... soooo I will probably watch all of yours... thank you again.

[blueridgefiddle]

Thanks for the video. I had learned that bowing pattern on my own but never really slowed it down to think about it. Sometimes I could do it, sometimes not. Now it come consistantly. Great lesson!

[Mickeyodel]

Wonderful! Excellent lesson!!

Thank you very much.

Greetings from Sweden! Michael

[tonyneves7]

You are a wonderful teacher. Thanks.

[DownTheRail188]

Thank you for this! I am trying to teach myself this without help and you nailed everything I was having trouble with. Very helpful.

[AnsonFiddler]

You are an awesome fiddle teacher! Many thanks!!!

[fiddler9635]

nevermind i see you already have

[fiddler9635]

could you please post back up and push?

[LaughOfComedy]

I have been playing fiddle since I was a kid....33 years now....and was never taught the Orange Blossom Special...thank you thank you!

[IbunnyrabbitI]

??????!!

[blueiis2]

Well I guess it's about time! I'll bet you'll have fun with this!

[Bracaraha]

Sorry about that I should have left more info. electric tuners r the best way to go right?I'm using a tuner that tunes by vibrations right now,but would one that tunes by sound be better?

[blueiis2]

Either tuner should be fine as long as you are in a fairly noise-free environment. If you are in a room with lots of other noise, then you'll want the vibration tuner. The good news is that you already have one, and if you didn't, they aren't that expensive!

[Bracaraha]

Hi I've been playing the fiddle for a year now and I'm doing really good but I was just wondering what is the best way to tune my fiddle to make it sound its best?

[blueiis2]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean. The standard pitches for violin strings are G D A E. You can tune with a tuner or by ear if you have a good enough ear.

[2005fiddler]

This is one of the best, if not the best explanations I have ever seen.

Thanks

[blueiis2]

Thank you so much for your comment!

[Jas4u2]

Hi and thanks I'm 63 years old and have been playing fiddle for about four years , I am learning some traditional tunes but Country and Bluegrass is what I would like to play.

I hope by the time I turn 64 in July I can at least play the first part of this tune at regular speed, I think your lesson is great, hope I can do it justice.

[blueiis2]

I hope so, too! Good luck!

[Jas4u2]

Thank you for your response , I will now be starting with your other lesson, Back up and push , I think it's better to start at the beginning , I have heard people play Orange Blossom Special

before and never thought I would be able to play it , but with your help I think it is possible .

[2543299]

in order to play double stops do you use more pressure on the bow than if you were playing a tune on single strings?

what kind of strings are you using?

what kind of bow ?

[blueiis2]

Not more bow pressure. This is a common beginner mistake. You need to balance the bow evenly across two strings -- not press down so hard that both strings are smashed flat so that they can be played at the same time. You'll get a bad tone that way. More bow speed will help support two notes with a good sound. Also, turning the bow slightly away from you (hair towards you) to reduce bow friction can help. I use Prim medium strings. Any decent student bow will work. I'm using a Roth bow.

[blueiis2]

I'll try to find some time in the next week or so to post a video just on double stops. I have answered your questions below, but a small, posted comment just doesn't cover it!

[blueiis2]

I have posted the video on double stops now if you want to do a search for it. Hopefully, this will help you!

[eagelblum]

I've been wanting to see this broken down exactly the way you go through it. Thank you for the description and practice guidance!

[blueiis2]

I'm really glad this helped! Thanks for your comment.