Chords and Backup

Cape Breton - Nova Scotia

"The Worlds Largest Fiddle"

 

If you play only the violin and have little experience with improvising, you're most likely struggling with chord changes. I did. If you you're not, then don't worry reading this and go practice something else. If you are, then here is a simple way to get used to the chord changes on the violin.
Playing backup, or simple chord changes is what most guitar students first learn how to do, but fiddle players never realize how much they should get used to hearing those chord changes until it hits them in the head. Playing basic backup on the fiddle will not sound as full as a guitar, but by practicing it you will get used to hearing the moving chords, and therefore let your ear and instincts do some of the work.
Let's start with 2 easy chords, using two strings for each chord.
For a G major chord you need G, B and D, although any combination of 2 of those will work. For starters, use your open G and D strings. No brainer. Then try an open D and B first finger. Also... No brainer.
For a D major, let's place the first finger on the G string for an A note, and play the open D and A with it. We will then have the D and A from the D major chord which is D, F# and A. If you want, you can use the F# second finger instead of the open D. Any combination of those 3 notes will work. If you want you can use the F# on the E string
Choose two notes (double stop) for each chord and keep those handy. From here there are several options. You can play a standard shuffle using a quarter note and two eighth notes, keeping the bow on two strings (double stop), playing the two notes you chose for the chord you are playing. Good back up also involves using your violin percussively. Striking the strings and muting them for the 1st and 3rd beat and pulling off a double stop on beats 2 and 4 is a very common backup when playing bluegrass(You can also reverse it to imitate the Mandolin).
Practice the following chord progression with any of the rhythmic ideas above:
\G   \G   \D   \G   \ (Each section represents a measure)

Slow Practice = Fast Progress
Fast Practice = Slow Progress
No Practice = No Progress

Funny how that works.