The Fiddle Coach Reveals Secrets of Fiddling

They don’t exactly call it a fiddle tune widget. But, that’s what it is for me.

It doesn’t play more than a smidge of the tune. You can get the gist of it, though. For example, in the widget to the right you can listen to a little of Soldier’s Joy. Or, just skip down to one of the Vassar tunes.

Down Yonder, Avalanche and Lonesome Fiddle Blues are all from the famous Will the Circle Be Unbroken Album. With Amazon’s mp3 tune availability, you can get any of these classic, great tunes for 99 cents.

I have tab charts for Down Yonder and Lonesome Fiddle Blues. The first one is an old time way of playing it. The second closely follows Vassar’s signature style, without doing the really hard advanced moves.

If you download these from Amazon, let me know and we’ll figure out a way for you to get the tabs, if you want them.

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Over the years of teaching fiddle I have presented the basics of music theory quite a few times. It takes about an hour to really go over the equivalent of a year of college level theory.

Of course, the theory is only what is needed by fiddle students. That’s why I can leave much of the college stuff out.

The first installment is on YouTube.

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Let’s cut to the chase. Cue the fast music.

It’s the same instrument. Details at 11:00.

Personally, I find playing the violin requires more strength, more concentration, more effort. By comparison, playing the fiddle is easier and less physically stressful. And, it’s more fun.

Violin music can covey a deep sense of esthetic satisfaction. That’s not found in fiddling, as far as I can tell.

For more detail you can look at Violin and Fiddle.

Each offers its own rewards. Both are good.

Also on Fiddleguru: Difference between Violin and Fiddle

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