Folks this is not only a one arm fiddle player but he is an example for all of us he is my HERO i really admire the great fiddle player thanks so much for posting this ,
Leonard's talent is a blessing to witness. I didn't know him in life, but I'm sure he's fiddling with the best and having a wonderful time in the world beyond this one!
I'm sad to hear that this wonderful man died a few years ago, and I certainly hope that he got the love and respect that he deserved as an example of someone who overcame an adversity and moved forward to bring happiness and inspiration. God bless your memory, Sir.
what many of you don't know is that he is holding the fiddle and fingering with his RIGHT hand - Fiddle is always held with the left. This video made me cry - clearly, a great love for the music, with no excuses in life. Amazing.
I was just thinking the same thing, that's my grandpa and I love watching him. It brings back very special memories. He was an amazing, determined man and a wonderful grandfather.
There is so much theory being taught behind the violin playing techniques. This is a good example which does not justify some of the theory/ techniques. This is what a talented player can do . Thanks for posting this clip.
I think this was interesting, that he was seriously playing the instrument and not just trying to 'entertain' the audience....really cool when you think about it, you're the man mister len
There are a number of left-handed fiddlers, but there can't be many one-armed fiddlers! All credit to what is obviously a determined - and gifted - individual!
Hi, My name is Caitlyn and I am 8 years old. Wow, you are great and I can't believe how great you are! I hope you keep playing the fiddle. Thanks, Caitlyn.
this is great! i have two arms and am not that good! bless his heart.. he's having fun! don't feel sorry for him.. he's FANTASTIC!~ Bet he's in heaven playing with two now!
Playing the fiddle with one hand is tough enough, but holding the bow steady between your knees, that's another trick altogether. Plus it's a waltz, which needs long bowing, too. Wellsir, you have shown the deaf the power of music.
wow, he's amazing.. i've done that for competition before, and i did it for "fancy fiddling". and it was not easy. imagine playing like that all the time... O_O he's so dedicated. i idolize him. wow that is seriously amazing.
This fellow seems as amazing, if not more so, than the one-armed fiddle player which the legendary John Hartford tells his wonderful story about .. on JH's last-ever studio-abum "Hamilton Ironworks" (2004, just prior to JH's sad & before-his-time passing .. ).
I originally posted on this video two years ago. WOW - many more have come along since. Leonard was indeed an inspiration, and teacher to a number of us in SW MO. He was also an accomplished contest judge and he also did most all of the repair work on his own instruments. He could do any repair work and rehair bows, as well. He also built a few instruments over the years. Not much that revolved around fiddle that he couldn't do.
I'm his granddaughter, and can tell you that we were all inspired by him. He could do almost anything, even run a 300 acre farm with just him and my grandma.
I feared as much, so may be this is a rare instance of "better too late than not at all" ? Couldn't pass it by. There but for fortune, and all that. Thanks for your replies. Did you see Maggie on Clarksville ..?
Leonard Smith was my grandfather and a huge inspiration to me. I remember going to "hootinanny's" with my grandpa and grandma (she frequently accompanied him on the guitar and piano) and not realizing what the big deal was about his one armed fiddle playing until I got older. He was an incredibly determined person who was a musician before he lost his arm when he was a young man and wasn't going to let an accident take his music away from him.
Folks this is not only a one arm fiddle player but he is an example for all of us
he is my HERO i really admire the great fiddle player thanks so much for posting this ,
Leonard's talent is a blessing to witness. I didn't know him in life, but I'm sure he's fiddling with the best and having a wonderful time in the world beyond this one!
I'm sad to hear that this wonderful man died a few years ago, and I certainly hope that he got the love and respect that he deserved as an example of someone who overcame an adversity and moved forward to bring happiness and inspiration. God bless your memory, Sir.
Oh God blesses the human spirit. Here's an old man that refuses to go down without a fight. Absolutely love him
what many of you don't know is that he is holding the fiddle and fingering with his RIGHT hand - Fiddle is always held with the left.
This video made me cry - clearly, a great love for the music, with no excuses in life. Amazing.
Bless people like Leonard who show us what we can accomplish if we persevere.
WOW! Awesome! I know fiddlers with both arms that will never play with that much intonation and expression. Way to go!!!!
fox Watson
I was just thinking the same thing, that's my grandpa and I love watching him. It brings back very special memories. He was an amazing, determined man and a wonderful grandfather.
Just goes to show you: where there's a will, there's a way. Very cool video. Thanks for posting!
Man Man! Not only is this guy better than most fiddlers...he's only got one arm! Great job!
That is amazing! God bless his great soul and we should all be thankful for what he has done and shared
There is so much theory being taught behind the violin playing techniques. This is a good example which does not justify some of the theory/ techniques. This is what a talented player can do . Thanks for posting this clip.
This Gentleman is a fighter!...Never gaveup, take my hat out to him
Awesome! Beautiful - sweet - inspiring!!! Thanks for sharing it!
Limits are a state of mind. This gentleman is the demonstration. Hero.
Simply amazing. Just goes to prove you can do anything you want to if you want it bad enough.
I just tried to do that, and you have no idea how difficult it is! Hats off to a wonderful and dedicated musician...
"Well, Paula it was a little pitchy to me. What did you think , Simon?" Seriously thought - it's great to see what this guy can do!!
I think this was interesting, that he was seriously playing the instrument and not just trying to 'entertain' the audience....really cool when you think about it, you're the man mister len
There are a number of left-handed fiddlers, but there can't be many one-armed fiddlers! All credit to what is obviously a determined - and gifted - individual!
Hi, My name is Caitlyn and I am 8 years old. Wow, you are great and I can't believe how great you are! I hope you keep playing the fiddle. Thanks, Caitlyn.
TALENT WILL ALWAYS FIND A WAY. GREAT STUFF
lost my right arm (below my elbow) in Jan. 05 in a car accident. THIS WAS SO WONDERFUL TO WATCH ! Five stars and I saved it to my favorites !
this is great! i have two arms and am not that good!
bless his heart.. he's having fun! don't feel sorry for him.. he's FANTASTIC!~
Bet he's in heaven playing with two now!
wow, Its hard enough playing the fiddle with two hands! GREAT JOB!!!!!!
I'm a fiddle player too. OMG i can think of quite a few fiddlers who aren't that good. Great stuff!
Let nothing stop you from making beautiful music.
OhmyGod!! Thank you so much for posting this video!! This guy is truly amazing :-)
that's a new one; didn't know that there can be someone playing the violin with only one hand. awesomeness man! :D
Gotta HAND it to this guy, he just LEFT y'all in the dust! Besides, no hARM in doing what you love.
Is Leonard the same fellow who John Hartford used to talk about so admiringly ? You are just fantastic. An inspiration to us all !!
Very inspirational, thank you for posting this.
Now, thats talent! I never thought it would be possible to do that. Wow. Amazing!
Bless his heart.. I have wondered what I would do if I lost my fingers..:( God bless that man and his perseverance.
Playing the fiddle with one hand is tough enough, but holding the bow steady between your knees, that's another trick altogether. Plus it's a waltz, which needs long bowing, too. Wellsir, you have shown the deaf the power of music.
This video tell us that NEVER IS TOO LATE.
AWESOME.
Holy moly!!!! thats the most incredible thing i've ever seen!
simply amazing! thanks for sharing!
Mark
I think this is fantastic! I've tried the fiddle, and I was the only one who really enjoyed my playing. This man does MUCH better than I ever did.
Bravo Leonard!
I have so much respect for people like this...brilliant! ^^
Thats amazing ! true dedication to your instrument ! WOW!
Absolutely amazing job. A true testament to where there is a will there is a way.
wow, he's amazing..
i've done that for competition before, and i did it for "fancy fiddling". and it was not easy.
imagine playing like that all the time... O_O
he's so dedicated. i idolize him.
wow that is seriously amazing.
An insperation sir well done and into my favorites you go ty
Lenoard is awesome, man what talent. I admire that.
Woow! That's amazing! Thanks for sharing this video.
Leonard, holy crap, you rock!
LOL I love the fact that he has his legs crossed! haha
An amazing testiment to the power of the human spirit to flourish despite obstacles.
I"m in awe of his will and determination
Congratulations from France. :=)
you bet, i've never seen something so awesome of my life
truly awe inspiring. Incredible
Reminds me of the boy swimmer with no arms.
If the will is great, the body is unstoppable ... no matter what is ahead.
Thanks for posting this vid!
Mi hizo emocionar,admirable,beautiful.Same as you Norman,i dont practice enough,i`ll change that (from argentina)
that was fantastic....WOW..
I was just about to say (NO WAY),Mr Greer but That guy is great on the fiddle!
wow..absolutely amazing!
This fellow seems as amazing, if not more so, than the one-armed fiddle player which the legendary John Hartford tells his wonderful story about .. on JH's last-ever studio-abum "Hamilton Ironworks" (2004, just prior to JH's sad & before-his-time passing .. ).
That is so amazing!
Rose of Sharon Waltz .. GREAT JOB !
Lord, I have seen it all.......I am ready to go home now!!!
wow, that's some talent right there!
I originally posted on this video two years ago. WOW - many more have come along since.
Leonard was indeed an inspiration, and teacher to a number of us in SW MO. He was also an accomplished contest judge and he also did most all of the repair work on his own instruments. He could do any repair work and rehair bows, as well. He also built a few instruments over the years. Not much that revolved around fiddle that he couldn't do.
WOW... that is amazing
Inspiring---God Bless!
Way to go Leonard!
amazing, lots of respect.
ekstra! miło się słuchało!
WOW! He's really good! I know people who play violin with two arms that can't get much more than a screechy sound out of it! =P
FABULOUS !!!!!
an inspiration to us all.
totally fantastic
beautiful!
wow! that's incredibly inspiring
Whoa! Awesome!
Excellent !!
this is awesome!!!=D
I just tried that and it sounded like. Well, you know. Rusty nails on a chalkboard? A dying cat? etc... This guy is amazing!
that's the dangest thing i ever saw, i'm gonna practice that some, gs heath carolina beach nc
Thats Brilliant
Wow... Not only is he missing an arm, but he has to hold the fiddle on the right rather than the left... amazing!
Hats off to this guy or cheers whatever.
wow thats fantastic
its realy sad to hear that this amazing man died hop he can teach me how to play the fiddle in the afterlive
rest in peace
Made my day
amazing!
Respect !!!
Absolutely incredible... I will never complain that the violin is a so difficult instrument to play...
I'm his granddaughter, and can tell you that we were all inspired by him. He could do almost anything, even run a 300 acre farm with just him and my grandma.
Pretty amazing performance. Does he do wallpapering too?
serious skill.
I feared as much, so may be this is a rare instance of "better too late than not at all" ? Couldn't pass it by. There but for fortune, and all that. Thanks for your replies. Did you see Maggie on Clarksville ..?
I love the fact that he has his legs crossed
Sounds good. How is he moving the bow, with his shoe? Seriously. I don't understand how he is playing it, but I am glad for him.
I guess no more excuses for anyone..., I feel humbled, and maybe even ashamed...
woh the old brother is realy impressiv it makes me think that nothing is impossible
Leonard Smith was my grandfather and a huge inspiration to me. I remember going to "hootinanny's" with my grandpa and grandma (she frequently accompanied him on the guitar and piano) and not realizing what the big deal was about his one armed fiddle playing until I got older. He was an incredibly determined person who was a musician before he lost his arm when he was a young man and wasn't going to let an accident take his music away from him.