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Thread: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

  1. #1

    Default So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Today, just for fun, i put my mandolin under my chin in violin position and plucked a few notes with my thumb and the clouds lifted on the whole violin/crooked neck/must be in pain to make beautiful music concept. It all made sense. I never heard the my mandolin so full sounding before. I guess it’s not going to be the new craze, but from now on, when i think of it, it will go back under my chin for a few precious phrases. Yes, Under My Chin is my new version of an old Stones tune for me! ......Just Like a Vi- o-lin.....

    Give it a try. You might be surprised...

  2. #2
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    It is tough playing fiddle in group acoustic settings, it’s so loud! I think I’ve suffered left ear hearing loss from 35yrs of fiddling. It’s like kissing the speakers
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  3. #3
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    I have pretty much stopped fiddling after having done it since the 1970's. My neck and shoulders feel better, less tightness and I enjoy playing mando, banjo and guitar so there's that. I have friends who are losing hearing and my wife says I can't hear her now so...

  4. #4

    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Yeah, i never realized how extreme it was! Hope you bought the speakers dinner first!

  5. #5

    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Imagine putting a banjo under your chin!

  6. #6
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Quote Originally Posted by ChesterJones View Post
    Imagine putting a banjo under your chin!
    Only as a spittoon
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

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  8. #7
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Quote Originally Posted by ChesterJones View Post
    Imagine putting a banjo under your chin!
    Not quite but I seen some 17"+ violas played by orchestra players. I know there are some ergonomic violas like this one by David L. Rivinus, but I wonder if some viola players would do better by playing the larger instruments in cello position.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I do know a few of my fiddler friends who have lost hearing. My "luck" is that I have had only 20% hearing in my right ear since I was about 7 so playing fiddle for the last 40+ years has not done my hearing too badly as yet.
    Jim

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  9. #8
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Putting the mandolin in a violin-under-chin position is a great way for beginners to realize how the fingers should approach chords on the fingerboard (with fingers generally parallel to the length of the fingerboard).

    For actual playing .... nah.
    Phil

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  10. #9

    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    I think the South Indians have the right idea. They sit on the floor and put the fiddle between their chest and one foot. Fully supported so the left hand is completely free for slides and ornaments. I tried that with my mandolin, fingering was ok but i couldn’t pick at all!

  11. #10
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Quote Originally Posted by ChesterJones View Post
    I think the South Indians have the right idea. They sit on the floor and put the fiddle between their chest and one foot. Fully supported so the left hand is completely free for slides and ornaments. I tried that with my mandolin, fingering was ok but i couldn’t pick at all!
    Many folk fiddles like Cretan lyras and rebabs are played in the cello-like position. The bow allows you to reach the strings that would be hard with a pick.
    Jim

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  12. #11
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    A good fiddle played well sounds beautiful, but played poorly sounds like a cat fight. I once saw an OT band with 2 fiddlers. Due to the nature of fiddle technique one (or both) was always slightly off-pitch, and it drove me nuts. I had to leave.
    Living’ in the Mitten

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  14. #12
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Ostrander View Post
    A good fiddle played well sounds beautiful, but played poorly sounds like a cat fight. I once saw an OT band with 2 fiddlers. Due to the nature of fiddle technique one (or both) was always slightly off-pitch, and it drove me nuts. I had to leave.
    Agreed. I also get the same results from group players that don't tune fretted instruments. At my local jam, on beginner night, between the tin eared fiddler, and The never tuners, it feels like lemon juice in the eyes.
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  15. #13

    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Many folk fiddles like Cretan lyras and rebabs are played in the cello-like position. The bow allows you to reach the strings that would be hard with a pick.
    The Indian way is upside down from the cello position. The pegbox is on the players foot. Click image for larger version. 

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  16. #14

    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Since acquiring a hardanger fdl recently, I've been playing with it lower on the shoulder/chest, and rotated axially - alleviating the excessive pronation of the western classical position. After decades, I don't like my head turned to one side (in fact, I try to avoid any hemilateral activity these days).

    Since getting into hdgfl, I'm not enjoying std fiddle much. First of all, it feels like a viola now!...

  17. #15

    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    Quote Originally Posted by ChesterJones View Post
    The Indian way is upside down from the cello position. The pegbox is on the players foot. Click image for larger version. 

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    No way! I will have to try this!

  18. #16
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: So That’s What Violin Players Hear!

    I blame Stradivari for missing out on the chance of constructing the violin in a way it could be played with a strap. Too late for that now.
    the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

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