Does anyone out there play blues on the violin?

Question

I've been jamming with a blues band on my violin for several years now and was wondering if anyone else does that too. I think it's great fun.

Answer 1

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was the most prominent of the violin playing bluesmen. He was also a great guitarist in his own right. He could play anything from jazz to blues, to early rock & roll. Listen to his album, "Standing My Ground" (Alligator Records, 1989) and you'll get a sample of him smokin'.

Two other blues players, who dabbled in rock were Don "Sugarcane" Harris, who's violin made Frank Zappa's, "Willie The Pimp" really scream. Great song, great playing.

As mentioned before, Papa John Creach became a member of the Jefferson Airplane/Starship, and sort of an elder spokesman/mentor to the faction that would eventually form Hot Tuna, Jack Cassady & Jorma Kaukonen.

Violins sound cool when playing blues, one reason being the player doesn't use a pick, so there's no percussive sound. Just rosin up the bow and go for it......enjoy.

Answer 2

Tell him to talk to your parents...unless this is impossible for some reason. You could start with a cheap violin yes, but make sure it is still a DECENT violin. It really is no fun playing on a not so great violin. It doesn't have to be some fantastic amazing professional violin. It should be playable though. He's five so you if he really does stick with it (which is possible) you can get him a better violin later. If you don't know what to look for in a violin, I'm sure an instrument shop can tell you. Then try and find him a teacher, unless you know how to play yourself, it really wouldn't be too terribly hard to teach him if you know yourself. I'd teach him scales and easy songs, like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Mary Had A Little Lamb, Hot Cross Buns...etc...getting harder and harder gradually when he's ready to move up, and teaching him new things about playing, like techniques, what certain symbols mean, the differences between Forte and Fortissimo, Piano and Pianissimo, and if you have no idea what I'm talking about just forget what I said. If you don't know how to play, well like I said, find him a violin teacher. Another good idea is the Suzuki Books. Mine are long lost to be totally honest so I have no idea if it teaches you notes and stuff and to recognize them on the staff, and rhythms and counting, but they might, and if I'm not mistaken a lot of violin teachers use the Suzuki books anyways. I believe that places like (assuming that you have these music stores) Schmitt Music or Renoylds Music shops will actually have lessons, or your local music shop might too. If not I'm sure they will be able to inform you of people or places who do. Good luck and I hope he sticks with it. :)

Answer 3

Yes,there's a great player name of Warren Ellis who is with an Australian band called The Dirty Three...violin,guitar and traps..made several albums that sold at home and in the UK..currently in Nick Cave's band..Grinderman,doing well in Europe..strongly recommend this dude...and The Dirty Three.They are not entirely restricted to a blues format but got the feel down.Also speaking of Don "Sugarcane" Harris,he makes a spectacular performance on Zappa's "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" on Little Richard's blues number "Directly From My Heart To You"...He can also be found on the live "Pure Food and Drug Act" LP featuring Harvey Mandel on guitar and a masterful percussion section.Grand instrument.

Answer 4

Blues on the violin? How cool! The only players that I am aware of that play blues are the above mentioned Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, "Papa John" Creach , and the above mentioned Sugarcane Harris.
Do you ever try to play jazz? Heres some jazz violinists worth your time: Jean Luc Ponty, Stephane Grappelli, Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Joe Venuti, Stuff Smith, Sid Page (Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks).

Answer 5

Ever heard Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown?

I realized today that I left out "Street Music, a Blues Concerto" and "Three Pieces for Blues Band and Orchestra", performed by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra with Chicago blues harmonica virtuoso Corky Siegel, conducted by Seiji Ozawa. I guarantee you've never heard anything like these in your life: a full-on symphony playing 12 bar blues.

Also check out Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues Band, more blues with strings.

Answer 6

The famous blues man Gatemouth Brown does!!! A great example is on the CD/DVD "10 Days Out " by Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Answer 7

Yes, I have a CD of a blues band with a violinist. I can't remember the name of the band at the moment, but it's very cool. If I get a chance to find the name of the band, I'll let you know.

Answer 8

There is a local band in denver that uses the fiddle. It is the Lionel Young band and has been voted the best blues band in Denver many times. Check him out at lionel young.net

Answer 9

Look up Sugarcane Harris. I believe he played with John Mayall on an album called "Back To The Roots".

Answer 10

Right here. Just started playing the violin last month.