How to Play the Fiddle - What Every Beginner Should Know

Very few instruments can be as easily recognized as the fiddle. With its uplifting notes that gently strum out bluegrass and folk songs it has a habit of making many people just want to get up out of their chairs to start stomping their feet. If you have always been interested in learning how to play the fiddle then these beginner instructions will help you do just that.

Things You'll Need

• Fiddle and Bow
• Desire to Learn to play

Instructions

1. Before you start to play the fiddle there are a few things you should know. You should always keep your fiddle tuned to make sure it gives the best sound possible. The easiest way to do this is to learn to tune your fiddle yourself.

2. Once you know your fiddle is tuned correctly you then need to get your fiddle ready for playing. To do this you will need to clean the strings with a methylated spirits and a very soft cloth so you wont damage the strings.

3. 

   Now you are ready to learn how to play the fiddle. Place the fiddle on your shoulder, snuggly up against your chin with your arm extended out to the neck of the fiddle.

4. Now take the bow, holding it with your thumb near the grip. You will then apply the bow approximately two-thirds from the next of the fiddle. While keeping your bow straight start to play each string until you feel comfortable holding the bow.

5. Once you feel comfortable you can start with easy and recognizable songs such as nursery rhymes and folk songs you know well. Learning how to play the fiddle by ear is usually how beginners learn instead of reading sheet music.

6. If you are going to learn to read sheet music to play the fiddle the main important thing is to remember the positions of your fingers. One quick tip to help you remember is to write the position numbers on your fingers large enough so you can see them as you are playing. With these instructions you will learn how to play the fiddle easily and be strumming those bluegrass or folks songs soon!