It is essential to listen to the recording of the tune and sing along to it.

You must be able to sing each exercise phrase before trying to play it.

Try to sing the tune out loud or in your head as you play it, as it will help you find the right notes.

Jig Bowing

Count 1 2 3, 1 2 3.  In jig rhythm each 1 beat note is a “quaver”. 

The emphasis comes on 1 and 3 so when the tune is played you predominantly hear 3 1 - 3 1 - 3 1   

It is easier to hear this when the tune is being played more quickly.  As you progress and play more quickly, you will shorten length you draw the bow substantially.

Bowing exercise - For 6 notes the same length - i.e. 6 quavers

First 3 quavers:

1st quaver. Start at middle of the bow.  Draw bow to near the tip. i.e a long strong bow down

2nd quaver - minimal downward pressure on bow - direct the bow a short way up

3rd quaver - more downward pressure on a short length the bow to create a strong note down

Second 3 notes. 

1st quaver.  You are now near the tip of the bow.  You need a long strong bow.  This will be an up bow which will bring you back to the middle of the bow.

2nd quaver - minimal downward pressure on bow a short distance down

3rd quaver - more downward pressure on the bow to create a strong note up

Repeat

long down 1, short up 2, short down 3,

long up 1, short down 2, short up 3,

long down 1, short up 2, short down 3,

long up 1, short down 2, short up 3 etc.

Exercise 1 start on the first finger on the D string (the other note is the 3rd finger that note is G)

Exercise 2 1st 3 notes of the Plane Tree starts 1st finger on D string

Bowing exercise  - For 3 quavers and then one longer note that last the same length as 3 quavers together:

Start at middle of the bow play the 1 2 3 as above.  The long note will bring you back to the middle of the bow.    Notice the speed of the bow to get back to the middle of the bow.

Exercise 4 using one bar in the 2nd half of Plane Tree - starts 3rd finger on A string

  start on a down bow drawn from the middle of the bow

Exercise 2 - the same rhythm using the first notes of the Plane Tree