Ready to start

[Nathan McCartney]

Hey guys, I just got my first waster (geekin' out a bit =3) and I've been looking at the different manuscripts on wiktenauer.com and am a bit unsure which one I should start with first. I've yet to hear anything back about my application (or the inquiry I emailed about it) so I can't use the ARMA site aside from the manuscripts.

So my question is what do any of you think is a good starting place, now that I actually have something to practice with?

[James Brazas]

Ideally, the best place to start out is to find someone else to practice with - preferably someone with experience in Renaissance European fighting arts. They could help you learn to fence properly, help you avoid bad fencing habits, answer questions, and probably help you learn much faster.

I'd see if you can find someone near where you live if I were you.

If you can't find anyone with experience, it is still helpful to have someone else there to practice with. It is possible to train alone, but it is much easier if you have someone to practice your strikes, parries, etc. with.

As far as where to start exactly, most of us start with Ringeck's Commentaries on Liechtenauer. Unfortunately, Ringeck did not include any pictures when he wrote his manual back in the 1300s. It's the best place to start, but may be difficult for a new swordsman if you don't have anyone more experienced handy.

If you don't have anyone else with more experience nearby to train with, it becomes a little more difficult to decide where to start. There is a modern translation of Ringeck with pictures, but unfortunately many of the illustrations are wrong.

Another option would be the works of Fiore Delli Liberi or perhaps the Codex Wallerstein. Normally, we wouldn't teach either of those unless someone had already learned Ringeck first (as Liberi and Wallerstein are more complicated). Yet Liberi and Wallerstein are among the easiest to follow out of all the manuals that have illustrations.


I hope that helps!

Best of luck with your swordsmanship.

[Nathan McCartney]

Thanks a lot James. I'll look up Liberi and Codex Wallerstein someplace (apparently wiktenauer is having site problems) and try to get started there.
I know there is a study group about an hour away, and I've talked to the person that runs it already. Only problem is they meet early saturday mornings and I work that day so I wouldn't be able to go that often. A friend of mine is interested in doing this with me but he has a lot on his plate already so for the time being I'm stuck training alone.
BUT, until that time I'm happy to learn and progress on my own and at least get moving in the art.
Thanks for the help. =)

[John Farthing]

Nathan,

I am not sure how close you are to the 'Twin Cities' area, but there is an ARMA Study Group located there. I'm sure they would be quite forthcoming and helpful if you contact them.

You can contact ARMA Twin Cities Study Group Coordinator Steve Pangrel at: s_pangerl@yahoo.com and/or visit their facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ARMA-Twi ... 47?sk=wall

Best of luck to you!

[Steve Pangerl]

I know there is a study group about an hour away, and I've talked to the person that runs it already. Only problem is they meet early saturday mornings and I work that day so I wouldn't be able to go that often.

Hi Nathan,
Keep in mind things are not necessarily that formal. Saturday morning happens to be the day where the most active members can get together, so that is when we get together. All of us practice on our own throughout the week as well though. There is nothing to prevent people from getting together instead of going solo, or practicing at other times (for example one member and I both had the day off from work a month ago so we got together for a couple of hours).

[James Brazas]

You're welcome, Nathan!

Best of luck.

And I agree with the others. Just because you can't meet at the designated time doesn't mean you can't meet at all. See if you can find someone who has a schedule that meshes well with your own. I doubt they would mind the extra practice.

[Nathan McCartney]

I know there is a study group about an hour away, and I've talked to the person that runs it already. Only problem is they meet early saturday mornings and I work that day so I wouldn't be able to go that often.

Hi Nathan,
Keep in mind things are not necessarily that formal. Saturday morning happens to be the day where the most active members can get together, so that is when we get together. All of us practice on our own throughout the week as well though. There is nothing to prevent people from getting together instead of going solo, or practicing at other times (for example one member and I both had the day off from work a month ago so we got together for a couple of hours).

Oh don't get me wrong I'm not saying I'll never go to the study group. Just that for the time being Saturday mornings aren't a possibility for me and I wouldn't expect people to change their schedules if thats what works best for them. For now I'm content to train and learn on my own until my own schedule is a little more manageable.