Here you can ask Brian Wicklund a question about playing the fiddle or mandolin, comment on your experience with the American Fiddle Method or ask for suggestions from others who are using it. You can also comment on a show you saw Brian perform.
Here are Brian's responses to a few common questions:
"What kind of strings do you use?"
I use D'Addario Helicore heavy gauge. The heavy strings are a little louder than the mediums. I have my action set quite low on my fiddle (distance from the sting to the fingerboard) so the heavy strings are easy for me to use. Medium gauge is just fine for most people. - Brian Wicklund
"How much should I resin my bow?"
I resin a little every time I play. About 5 full bowstrokes on the resin cake is enough. If there is too little, the bow doesn't grab the string well, if there is too much, little puffs of resin comes off as I'm playing." - Brian Wicklund
"What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle."
A fiddle is a violin that never went to college. No, really... there isn't a difference. The instrument is the same, the set up is the same and the position is the same. The main difference is repertoire.
"Should I humidify my violin?"
If you live in a climate were the humidity changes seasonally (such as Minnesota with dry winters and humid summers), it's a good idea to humidify in the winter. The violin can crack if the wood is going through regular contraction and expansion from humidity changes. My rule is as soon as the furnace kicks on in the house I begin humidifying. Wooden instruments like 40-60% humidity best. I use a humidifier in the room where I keep my instruments. When I travel, I use two Dampits inserted in the F holes. They need to be wetted every other day." - Brian Wicklund
Here are Brian's responses to a few common questions:
"What kind of strings do you use?"
I use D'Addario Helicore heavy gauge. The heavy strings are a little louder than the mediums. I have my action set quite low on my fiddle (distance from the sting to the fingerboard) so the heavy strings are easy for me to use. Medium gauge is just fine for most people. - Brian Wicklund
"How much should I resin my bow?"
I resin a little every time I play. About 5 full bowstrokes on the resin cake is enough. If there is too little, the bow doesn't grab the string well, if there is too much, little puffs of resin comes off as I'm playing." - Brian Wicklund
"What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle."
A fiddle is a violin that never went to college. No, really... there isn't a difference. The instrument is the same, the set up is the same and the position is the same. The main difference is repertoire.
"Should I humidify my violin?"
If you live in a climate were the humidity changes seasonally (such as Minnesota with dry winters and humid summers), it's a good idea to humidify in the winter. The violin can crack if the wood is going through regular contraction and expansion from humidity changes. My rule is as soon as the furnace kicks on in the house I begin humidifying. Wooden instruments like 40-60% humidity best. I use a humidifier in the room where I keep my instruments. When I travel, I use two Dampits inserted in the F holes. They need to be wetted every other day." - Brian Wicklund
Labels: Questions and Comments
posted by FiddlePal at
11:24 AM
6 Comments:
Hi from Skyler and Søren
Thank you for e-mailing us your website. We went to it and from it found a picture of Skyler on the YFA home page. Have a good trip and have fun. Goodbye.
P.S. On your website, Minnesota is spelled wrong.
Hi Brian,
Nice to join your website. Thanks for "Blackberry Blossom" it was next on my list! Still trying to get the "phrasing" right on "Swallowtail Jig"
I got your DVD for Vol 2 and it helps alot!
Charlie
I'm up in Farmington, Maine, and I just finished a second set of adult ed fiddle classes. The others in my class were so hyped up that we have started our own fiddle jam. I introduced them to AFM and they thought it was lots of fun. I'm trying to convice them now to use the whole program so we can all be on the same page. And it will continue our lessons at the same time. We are all at different levels musically, so it's perfect for all of us! And the great deal on the whole set is less than the adult ed classes! Actually, AFM is the method that keeps me going between adult ed sessions!
Thanks Brian for being my foirst instructor , you are the standard that I judge all fiddle players by..
In the early days of Grand Ol Opry "Jawbone" was a popular tune played by Uncle Dave Macon. He recorded it as, "Jordan Is a Hard Road to Travel."
The song goes back to Dan Emmet who also composed "Dixie."
(I haven't checked these facts. They're just rattling around in my head.)
"What kind of strings do you use?"
I use D'Addario Helicore heavy gauge. The heavy strings are a little louder than the mediums. I have my action set quite low on my fiddle (distance from the sting to the fingerboard) so the heavy strings are easy for me to use. -Brian
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