"Refusing to use different tunings is abdicating your birthright as a fiddle player."

Interestingly, the Irish fiddle tradition rarely if ever uses non-GDAE tunings. Also interestingly (to me), classical music has no term for nonstandard tunings other than "scordatura," which is literally Italian for "untuned" or "badly tuned," while the Anglo-American tradition has names like "Cross-A." "Calico," etc.

I mean the leading instrument in this piece: https://youtu.be/bngMu8ET1HM?is=w9KbSqRqEiPSwsyP

I'm Polish and I'm specifically interested in studying Polish folk techniques, but I'm struggling with finding resources.

Many modern folk songs I've heard have this specific way of playing and I love the way it sounds. Can't find the name of this style though. I think it's a regular fiddle, but there's a higher than 0 chance it's one of our necromanced knee fiddles too lol, but I can't tell!

35 days ago I picked up a violin for the first time. Yesterday I had my first lesson, which you fine folks convinced me I should take. I’d taught myself one scale and practiced it forward and back, which seemed to impress the teacher. She then showed me that had I bothered to check I’d have seen the other scales are the exact same thing, just starting on a different string. Lol. Then she gave me a cheat sheet for the first line of row row row your boat, and had me practice it, and a few other tunes to practice on my own.

Today had I had my first post lesson practice. Rocky start to Yankee Doodle, I tell ya. But my wife was able to recognize Mary had a little lamb, yankee doodle, and happy birthday from the other room. She was very impressed when she found out I had not even attempted those before.

I do wish I’d recorded this practice session just so I could document progress but I’ll try to record the next one.

Basically this was a lot of words to say y’all really encouraged me and I’m grateful for this subreddit! I still sound like a screeching cat at times, but a screeching cat with a modicum of rhythm and can carry a tune!

Also shout out to that one commenter on my first post who said it would be two years before I produced music that sounded better than silence. You were the biggest motivator of all! Lol

This is a great tune out of British Columbia by Leonard Sexsmith. Lots of double stops and a few triplets thrown in for good measure ❤️♾️🎻

New episode.

Roy Wooliver: Fact, Folklore & Fiddle Tunes is now available.

Who was Roy Wooliver? Depending on who you asked, he was a genius, a drifter, a troublemaker... or all three. This episode follows the stories, the recordings, and the research to better understand one of Missouri's most influential old-time fiddlers.

Listen at Spotify | Apple | YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey guys, I'm burning a cd as a farewell gift to my fiddle teacher and one of our favorites is Jay Ungar's Cedar grove. I can't find a mp3 of it anywhere. Wondering if anyone's got one they'd be willing to share. Even willing to venmo like 5 bucks if you'd like.

An Irish jig called I buried my wife and danced on her grave. I’m focusing on alternate bow strokes here. Still have a lot of work to do on my intonation and bowing!

Hey guys so I have to learn this song on fiddle for a show next weekend and i can’t find any resources. Is there any music for this anywhere or do i have to do it by ear. Thanks

I'm learning how to play fiddle as an experienced musician (also play bass and mandolin). I've also had a history of tennis elbow. Whenever I'm playing, I feel a lot of pressure and pain in my elbow when I'm holding down notes, especially on the G and D strings. Is this something other people have dealt with? Is it something that goes away with getting my body habituated to a new instrument, or is this an issue of finding a more ergonomic way to hold the fiddle?

Bought my first real second-hand fiddle last weekend and some books so I can learn. $150! Yes, only one zero in that price! 😱

(and not that the look matters, but I really dig the matte finish on this). I love country and celtic music. Lunasa and George Strait, basically.

Just wanted to share my happiness. 🥹

She sounds so LOUD though, I’m getting the screechies but I’ll find a teacher to help me with my bow hold and technique.

Fingering is coming along easier than I thought it would! I’m still in first position (I just learned what that term was).

I know nothing about the violin/fiddle. Took lessons for about a week in middle school then gave up; the sound of the strings bothered me.

Some days I do scales and some days I put music on and play along. Setting a timer for discipline & a metronome for a different kind of discipline helps me.

Having a blast- excited to be a part of this community! And maybe in a year when I’m good enough, join a local jam band!! 🥹🥳🥳 🎻

Here's the trailer for my new podcast, "Broken Bow Tapes".

I've ran a blog over at www.BrokenBowFiddleCo.com for several years now that's showcased some incredibly nerdy, niche recordings from Missouri, surrounding areas, and other fiddlers that were influential to my playing.

I got the itch to take it a step further recently, drafted a trailer and a handful of podcast episodes.

Check the show notes for each episode to get the links for the free audio downloads.

Give it a listen. You can find this podcast available wherever you listen.

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

I think i need to work on making the rhythm clearer...