Episode 17: Teach Yourself Fiddle 

loving your background singers

Thank you for making this. Non pretentious music lessons are life saving I swear

As a professional musician I couldn’t agree more: music belongs for those who wants to make music 🎶 great video!

100%!!! I'm 100 % self taught on guitar, harmonica, mandolin and now learning the fiddle! Once you grasp the basics of music theory it all crosses over. I only do it for my own enjoyment. Music is my life saver. When I need to unwind I put on a backing track and jam all my problems away

You made the world better by making this video.

Can't begin to say how many times I've watched this video. I bought the book and in week two of learning on my own, I'm playing this tune (roughly)! 61years old and LOVING the adventure of learning the violin. Thanks for the inspiration!

You were delightful and encouraging... thank you

I play clawhammer banjo, but recently bought a fiddle that I’m trying to figure out where and how to even start to learn it. I’m completely clueless with this instrument..... but I swear I’ve learned more in these past 9 minutes from your video, than I have from watching a dozen others. 😂 Thank you for this. 👍

5:43 “That’s it! That’s all there is!” Wow! I’ve just had my first fiddle lesson aged 60+ and that statement just made my day! Thank you 🤗

We bought my daughter a fiddle for her high school graduation present She never took one lesson The fiddle has sat on a shelf for the past 2 years I’m 51 and love bluegrass and Appalachian music You’re video has inspired me to pick it up and try I haven’t been able to find anybody to give me lessons in our small South Georgia town but with your book recommendations I am going to give it a try Thanks 😘

“Thanks turkeys” lol

Jenna, You were my first fiddle teacher and you did inspire me! I am still playing, now going on year 3, and it is sooo much fun! Thank you for opening this door!

A fiddle is a violin with attitude.

Girl your fixin to teach me how to play my fiddle. My sweet son bought me one a few yrs ago & it vanished so I’m buying me another one next week so you’ll be my teacher coz I like your style your atmosphere & your gobblin turkeys. So yeah I’ll be back next week.

so exciting to find a teacher that can teach people that don't read tab or music! thank you for being on utube.

wow I think you talked me into getting a fiddle like your style a lot

Great video and intro to the fiddle. Thanks!

Thank you for your inspiration. I'm going to order my first Fiddle. I think I love you.

This is literally the best video ever, sincerely a 35 year old who had owned a fiddle for 15 years but never tried to play

57 yrs old ..I purchased a Fiddle on eBay for $ 30. I need to buy the chin and shoulder rest now. I purchased the book Old-Time Fiddle for the Complete Ignoramus by Wayne Erbsen.

You are very inspiring 😊♥️✝️ thank you

I’m 75 am I always wanted to play the the fiddle or violin so last week I looked at Amazon and bought one with two books. Thanks for your encouraging words. Jeff

Such a great instructional video offered by a pleasant instructor with encouragement from direct experience . Saved this one. Bless Idaho and love the hat. Thanks so much for sharing.

Love your style Jenna. You cut out the fear factor for beginners. And its about enjoyment and self fulfilment. Long may you run. Shay. Dublin Ireland.

I only play by ear, all my life, this scared me, you've helped me. Now im ready to start again. Thank you

I'm 45 and just inherited my grandpas old stratavarius copy from the 20s. I just got strung and pegs right. I' have played mandolin for year or so so I'll get it. Thanks for your time.

Enjoyed your enthusiasm for playing the fiddle! Keep on smiling!!!!

Thanks so much. Appreciated. Got a fiddle a year ago and I thought, "It seems like all you need are three fingers on each string," so it was nice to have that confirmed. Cool.

This was awesome! I am bed ridden recovering from an illness and have wanted to learn to play the fiddle for like a decade. I can already play piano but I long to play some bluegrass fiddle. This video has inspired me to buy my fiddle and learn with all this extra time in bed. Thank you!

The best video about teaching yourself playing fiddle in the entire world :D

I rented a fiddle for a local music store and your video has me on fire to learn, what a way of inspiration you have.

My Granddaughter didn't do well with the clarinet and started out with the violin. 4 years later, she asked about finding her a violin. I'm 58 and enjoy the sound of either upbeat fiddle or violin playing so, during this national shutdown, seems like the "perfect time" to learn! Thanks for the video!

I think you are a Good teacher for me as a Beginner, only had my Violin 9 day's

I am just starting and have hesitated to pick up my new fiddle- but now I have my first steps! I think you're an awesome teacher and this young at heart performer thanks you!

Just happened upon this, and wish I'd seen it 8 years ago when you made it. I'm also self taught and read no music; now 70 years old. Though I finally have a repertoire and neighbors encourage me to play on the porch so they can hear it, in the beginning I couldn't progress past 3 simple tunes and had no confidence. Even then however, I knew the fiddle was one of my most valuable possessions and always would be. When you love it, it keeps you going; and you're never too old. (Btw, love the turkeys!)

good insightful video for the complete "ignoramus" who's looking at a fiddle now and also starting to learn banjo also. love all the animal sounds in the background also!

As a professional turkey, you're getting a great sound out of those birds.

You’ve inspired me one to buy the book and two to learn the fiddle. I played classical violin for 6 years when I was younger, lost touch with the violin for awhile and now I look at the music and I’m completely lost and confused but I know I still got an ear for it. Thank you!

Feeling homesick for Appalachia and excited to learn fiddle. Thanks for the confidence that it can be achieved!

Would you consider doing a series of videos on playing the fiddle. Fiddle camp may not be an option for some people.

Your video inspires me to try the fiddle once again. I have a fiddle that belonged to my mother. She was classically trained to play the violin. When she passed away, my father gave me her violin, which was all in pieces, and I brought it to a violin shop and had it repaired. I tried to learn how to play it by playing some fiddle tunes I knew on the guitar, like Old Joe Clark. But it felt strange to me because I didn't know how to hold it, much less bow it or keep it in tune with out breaking the strings. We have an old time fiddle association in my area, and I always thought it would be cool if I could take it out and play it at a jam.

how refreshing. thanks for the post

You are adorable! And inspiring! Thank you so very much for sharing! Love the turkeys!

Thanks so much, you helped me get started on fiddle.Wish you good life and happy days

I just started learning on my own and I do have that book. I did find someone on youtube, her name is harriet from proam strings who gives free lessons. She's English and very good, taking everything step by step but I love your video and I appreciate you for taking the time and inspiring us. You are a gem, although this video has been up for over 8 years I hope that everything is going well for you.

you're such a great gal, and thanks for being so generous with your fiddle tutorial! The turkey commentary was hilarious,

Thank you! You take the fear out of playing.

I got that book, after i seen your video. Thank you for the info for the book i needed to get started.

Thank you so much for your teachings. Though I am a college level classical pianist, after turning 40 all I wanna do is move to Tennessee, wear a cowboy hat and play a fiddle. Your video couldn’t be more perfect for me. Thanks much love

You did great. Love your shuffling.

I am mighty inspired. Thank you!

Your video is right on girl. Your explanations were precisely done and I learned more from this than any other I watched

You are awesome. Thanks And thank your turkeys for back up lol

I know this is an older video, but i stumbled on it while thinking about learning to play fiddle. You, young lady convinced me to try. Thanks, I now have one and the book you recommended.

I loved absolutely everything about this video!

Delightful learning experience Thanks

You are so lovely. Thanks for making this!

I ordered Wayne's book and another book on tabs to play Christmas music. It was for children so I thought that might be a good. 😊

Awesome video, lesson, background and background music! Very inspiring!

Thank you!

Thank you so much for your video which makes me inspired to restart playing violin and maybe to try to play the fiddle way. After some bad experience learning with old time strict teacher your video is a good fresh air and push to play and take pleasure and fun to learn instead to get frustrated ! So I pickup again my violin and let us play ! Thanks a lot, merci beaucoup fron France.

I really like that your turkeys "clap" for you, they are very polite.❤ from West Virginia

Got my book, should get my violin today. After watching this video I simply said, "Heck, why not?" Thank you!

Thank you! You’ve inspired me Just bought my daughter her first fiddle yesterday I love your attitude Love from Australia xxxx Fiddle Camp sounds fun!!

brilliant video....im getting myself a fiddle

You give me hope

My father in law bought my mother in law a fiddle for Christmas. They have your video up on the TV right now. They’re enjoying it and laughing at the turkeys in the background. Just thought you’d like to know they’re enjoying what you’re doing. It’s nice to know that sometimes. 💖

I have taught myself all the instruments I know - most recently irish whistle and mandolin and over the last month I bought a fiddle! I'm able to play a little - and it was such a joy to see your video! I've subscribed!

Thanks so much for this video! I have a really old fiddle from my great grandparents (which I accidentally broke the bow D:) but until I saw this I wasn’t able to get past that initial sound (the notes dragging together). Now that I’ve seen this I feel I can get that nice Irish/bluegrass sound! Thank you so much!

I love this and you are a wonderful teacher!

Lol you make me smile. The beginning of this video was perfect. Not sure how I went from watching Lost Dog street band videos to this but I’m thinking my next stop is eBay for a fiddle.

Where have u been.... I bought a used fiddle 25 years ago. I looked at it many times but made 25 years of excuses why I could a set of strings on it and have the hair on the bow replaced. I've watched many a video seen many small kids belting out classic fiddle tunes but still had a bucket load of reasons that actually started to nag at me. I even rented one twice and found the videos on YT just seemed complicated. You my friend have inspired me in a way no other has. I am ready to pursue my dream. God bless you. ❤️👍🙏 New subscriber here as well. Thanks again.

HI I am back again this time to get inspired to play some more...You seem to be my go to girl on the fiddle. Thank you .

Thank you, for showing me how to start learning fiddle, your tips will really help me when practicing.😀

Very encouraging video! :)

Awesome video, wasn't sure about trying to learn this but you were great at breaking it down to being fun! Thank you

That’s amazing way to put it

thank you for the helpful information, l am 58 and have always wanted to play the violin (fiddle) so for Christmas this year 2019 my hubby got me one, l don't read music, so l have order that book you mentioned on your video. Can't wait for my violin to come in to start making music.

Im obsessed with you and this awesome video!! I got discouraged when i got my fiddle because even the "beginner" videos were so advanced. It was frustrating. Everything about this video was encouraging and made me laugh and feel more confident. Thanks so much! Please make more im subscribing!!

O.O when you touched the hair.🤣❤️❤️

Love this video! I had to laugh at the introduction cuz I was raised in the Appalachian mountains and now living in Idaho and just bought my first fiddle. One things about these hills around Boise they don't go straight up ha!

I have ordered the book and look forward to getting it. Thank you for your encouragement. I'm 67yrs and have never ever played a fiddle. I've been given an old one so hopefully I'll be able to learn it.

I love the landscape simply beautiful more playing the violin

I currently just started taking guitar lessons about 1.5 month ago. I am interested in fiddling, but at this time in my life, working full-time - I don't feel that I have enough time to support the obligations from having lessons for 2 instruments - because my guitar instructor expects me to practice - and I am sure my fiddle instructor would, too (And I am doing a Music Theory course, too, btw - maybe after the Theory course(s)), so maybe in the future I could learn fiddle.

What a great video! I wish more people were as positive as you about sharing the journey of learning a new instrument. I’m a fiddle ignoramus for sure, but I’m ready to start. I play guitar so the fingering is like guitar upside down. Love the turkeys! Thanks!

I've had an old violin in the cupboard for over ten years. I might have to get it out. Thank you!!

Great video and setting

Older video but awesome. Thank you my friend.

You are so very inspiring. Thank you for this. Love the Turkeys(gobble gobble)

Thank you so much !!! I can’t wait to get started ❤️

Love the turkeys and the lesson..I have a fiddle on its way! YOu are a star of encouragement-thanks!

amazing video!

This is awesome

Love your great attitude.

Ordered the book! Thanks so much for this video. Gave me a lot of inspiration. I was struggling.

I truly enjoyed this. You wonder if anyone is inspired...yep, I am and look forward to your video

Yes that is it after four days I have improved so much more that in the last six months. Yes that is it three finger position. That was my wake up call and it works thank you so much. I really had problem till you told me that. Love you darling.

Takk❤️🙏 Denne videoen hjalp meg veldig😃

Where did you go? I really loved your channel, actually I DO love it. I rewatch your older stuff periodically. I can’t believe you gave up on your farm I do remember you were getting a part time job, and things were hard for you. Come back to us ,please! At this hard time for us all, we need you. Plus I really loved your content and personality!

I got sent over by a recomendation from Michigan Snow Pony. Today I decided to check out all your videos that have an episode number attached. We started with one.... now at seventeen.... I love ALL of them. Seriously, your passion shines through and I adore your sense of humor.