I can do it REASONABLY well at 150 bpm… the wheels start coming off at 180 bpm. Plus, I am having trouble tensing up in both arms as I get into this tune. My “Bucket list” for this upcoming year is to get a few of these fiddle tunes up to speed. Sometime I think my decades as a professional bassist have given me a heavy-handed approach to playing that inhibits me as a guitarist. Gotta lighten things up.
First Fiddle tune on my list... Blackberry Blossom ...aargh
Sounds like a good analysis if you are tensing up.
that’s my current thought… for now
Literally scrunching my eyes shut and WILLING my picking hand to play lighter. I know I must look so funny right now…
It’s not a secret, but part of being able to play different (lighter and looser in this case) is to play at a speed below where you can currently play it. That typically allows one to engage the brain. Good luck on the journey and let us know how it goes!
Tension is so hard to shake as you build speed. I have the same issue. It’s really good to be aware of it!
@Bcaves glad to see you made the spring camp. I couldn’t schedule around it this year. I saw this thread yesterday and thought I’d try BBB. It’s been at least 6 months or longer since played that on the guitar. To my surprise I played through it at a decent clip.
BBB was the first fiddle tune I learned from @BanjoBen ‘s site. I remember thinking, what evil person came up with pick strokes.
About halfway thru at 180 bpm… em section still throws me under the bus, backs up and hits me again . But progress is being made. Still losing myself when soloing.
I made it through with only a few fumbles at 180…. Progress is being made! I am sure it is the Blue Chip pick that made the difference…. Right?
No doubt! Great job!
It’s a fun tune!