A fiddle question: Drones?

I am working on my Banjo Friday and I wanted to try to step up the fiddle a little. I listen to other fiddlers and they have this groove going on the drone strings that is so... fiddly. All I have is melody with no sense of bowing and no, or spotty, or overused drones.

So I am trying a straight Nashville shuffle (u-dud-ud), and I want to get that groove. I am just not sure how. Somebody post me some response videos showing how you get that thang going.

Responses so far...
SparkyFiddle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAbGCeqdKPY
Boscoheja: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkkln3ozyoc with Nashville
Boscoheja: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMw_3pS2xHM sans Nashville
groundhogpeggy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVp1y7S_-AU

I will continue to post responses from FiddleHangout in the description so folks can find them.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Yoppykyabetsu
• fiddle
• question
• drones
• groove
• thang

[chambeje]

Hi there. I just stumbled upon your video! I too am learning bluegrass style fiddle (I'm a classically trained violist.) You seem like you have a pretty good handle on the style. I did notice that you are using a "beginner style" bow hold. The thumb being positioned under the frog, makes bowing a little harder. Also, your pinky looks a little stiff. Check out the bow holdsof some fiddle/violin players to see what I mean. Good luck, I hope this helps you!

[YoppyKyabetsu]

@chambeje Thanks! I have played a fair bit of bluegrass, but usually on the banjo. Fiddle has so far proven to be the hardest instrument I have ever attempted. I switch back and forth between a proper-ish bow hold and that under the frog, mostly because my hand complains a lot about being put in pinching positions.

[YoppyKyabetsu]

I have added a list of response videos in the description

[YoppyKyabetsu]

Wow. I really should work on keeping my bow perpendicular to the strings. *gack*

[cariboubill]

Too darned complicated for me, Yoppy. I don't know how anyone can play one of those things. I hope you get some response from skilled players. I'd like to see how different players handle it all. ....Bill

[YoppyKyabetsu]

@cariboubill It may well prove too complicated for me, Bill, but I am farther along than I was when I started. It would be fantastic if several folks responded.

[killdeslm]

Genius

[ydnavortek]

Good day there, I don't think there is any certain way to drone. Whatever sounds good to you, that's what fiddle is all about. I personally drone almost all of the time and i love it but some people do not. A lot of old time appalachin tunes are full of drones but tend to use an open tuning.

[Rutle]

I'd like to help you but I can't fiddle it out. But your playing style is brilliant.

[mugambismonkey]

Yopp, you're incredible! Is there an instrument you can't build or play? :-) Quite impressive!

[ruth7784]

Hi Yopps, I agree with Alan and longlasta about it sounding much better at 1.35 :-) X

[granniejans]

@YoppyKyabetsu

I think your hunch is correct. I know it's every bit as much about 'feel' as it is anything. I ask my local bluegrassers/fiddlers for tips and hints and they just say "aw just play it and you'll get it eventually".... not helpful. Anyway, we'll learn this, yet!

[LongLasta]

i really hope you get an answer! but as ukisociety said the style at 1:35 is really nice..