Fiddle Hangout Forum Feed

Bluegrass is part of the blues don't you think?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 05:20:27 CST

As much talk as I get to read on here about genres and cross genres, I'm curious where you think "Bluegrass" falls in a "Blues Festival"???

Yesterday, we played the Western Maryland Blues Festival. A HUGE festival that went on for years run by the city of Hagerstown MD. It ended in 2018 and was revived this past weekend! It was an honor.

Blues fans are protective about their genre for sure and we did overhear conversations about "Bluegrass??" and the promoter said, "just wait, they will these guys" and boy, it was a good time! Sound company had no idea how to mix acoustic instruments but we pressed on through. I did say to the band, "at least we will stick out and be remembered and if you listen to bluegrass, we were singing about the blues...

Turkish Revelry

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 20:20:23 CST

Here’s one for you. I purchased the CD this comes from a decade or so ago. The double cd set contains some excellent songs and tunes, but the selections are a bit uneven in texture. Some, like this one, have a distinct folk flavor with others covering punk-rock sounds and even patchbay synth stuff. This piece is nicely sung and has some great fiddle as well. Enjoy.

youtu.be/Hdpe7WgEwX4

Mitch Miller Explains Berks Fiddle Playing Contest, Plays Some Tunes

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 15:17:04 CST

Mitch Miller, Hannah Violet, and Jansen Wendell take the stage at Berks Fiddle Fest for Mitch to explain the fiddle playing contest rules and for the trio to play some great old time tunes.

BOBBY BRUCE MUSIC

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 6 Jun 2026 09:47:28 CST

I'm trying to locate a recording of his, "Country Dance Waltz." Thanks

Homemade 1943 Fiddle

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 16:32:54 CST

Hey guys - so, my dad came of age around 1943 or so.
So, wartime, no dad, and poor, yet built a violin.
He lived on Whitetop, and worked with Albert Nash on his own violin, that became my orchestra instrument. I can remember visiting Albert's house when small.

So, 83 years later - it needs some touch-up, etc.
Allowing for lack of 'commercial' supplies, anyone have a good first guess what the finish may be? It is an light amber, blond finish, open neck and rosewood fingerboard and store bought trim (maybe late for my use).

Anyone?

Musical bridges

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 09:47:26 CST

On my drive to work this morning I was listening to the Leake County Revelers’ 1927 recording of “The Old Hat”, trying to decipher some of the more opaque lyrics. Before walking into the building, I sat down in a break area and talked with one of the housekeeping staff, a black woman of about 65-70 years of age. Without any prompting from me, the topic turned to family history lost to age and time. She told me about her grandmother singing “crazy songs” to her as a child and recited two verses from “The Old Hat” involving a raccoon and a ‘possum almost verbatim from the Revelers recording!

This probably shouldn’t be that surprising. They are somewhat floating lyrics and originated (?) in this area, but it was just so serendipitous and unexpected that it brought tears to my eyes thinking of the paths of history and cultures that led to two people of disparate races and economic status sitting in front of a Mississippi chicken plant in 2026 trading lines from a now-obscure 100+ year old song.

Kate Bush "Jig Of Life" Genius

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 14:55:07 CST

Almost makes me believe in Woo Woo...( well worth waiting for the fiddle tune) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntIlVNDpLW8

Player Zero…

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 09:56:42 CST

Yesterday at session, a fiddler friend who I had not seen for awhile played a jig she had just learned (Kitty Lie Over, which is also a song). I first learned that jig off an album, and when I played it at session, I was utterly alone and solo - nobody knew it- people kind of knew the song, but nobody “played” it. SInce then, the Kitty Lie Over jig has apparently come into local repertoire :-) and people are learning it! So I guess I was Player Zero … aka “Patient Zero”, in viral terms…

I once started a set of tunes I had heard around and learned, and the master flute player at session joined in…afterwards she said, “I like that set too! I got it off Mike Rafferty.” So I think I accidentally found Player Zero for that set! That was a fun discovery. :-D

I like how the tunes get passed around, almost like a virus…with some sleuthing/asking of the older players, you can usually find who first brought it to our area!

Bow creeping up string/down string

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:27:40 CST

I seem to have an issue, particularly when I've been playing for a while, where the bow creeps up the string. That is, on the up stroke the bow stays perpendicular to the string as it should, but it slides sideways on the string up a bit towards the fretboard. Then the downstroke, it slides sideways down towards the bridge. Any idea if it's me, my bow, rosin build up, gremlins??? Yeah, I should get back to my teacher. I'll get around to it but wanted to ask here in case it's a common problem people have with a know cause.

-K

Intonation

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 28 May 2026 21:14:19 CST

I have several fiddles that all have wonky intonation. I printed off a "fingerboard guide" for testing purposes only (I know those things aren't that accurate, I just wanted it as a reference for a straight line across the fingerboard), and tested intonation. You would think that the intonation on one string would be the same as the string beside it right? Like the line on the diagram would be either perfect between two strings, equally flat, or equally sharp, right?

Well, no such luck. The one fiddle I tested was basically this: The G, D, and A strings were relatively close to each other, but the E string was considerably flat from the rest.

I only tested one fiddle, but I know several of mine have similar issues.

I am very limited in my knowledge of fiddle setup (only thing I've ever done is cut new bridges to match the old ones). I am a banjo builder though. Anyone have any advice on how to chase down the issue?

Lethargy

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 12:12:01 CST

Come on guys i had to go back to last week to find a post!!

Gone to Bass

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 06:17:21 CST

The jam desperately needs a bass. I've been invited and encouraged. I really don't have anything more to prove on a fiddle.
Played bass for the whole session yesterday. I guess I'd rather be useful and yet always learning. Learning stuff one doesn't learn in any other situation. You have to be "in it." There's a lot of responsibility in that one(1) note.

Nope. There's no Bass Hangout

Martin Hayes on Slow vs Fast

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 13:04:02 CST

For those who don't know, Martin Hayes is one of the great, living Irish fiddlers, known for his 'slow' playing. Here are some of his thoughts on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-woPQ90mxzE

Tim O'Brien Songbook now available!

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 10:32:16 CST

HI all. The new Tim O'Brien Songbook is available. 40 songs spanning Tim's incredible career, including Nellie Kane, Midnight on the Highway, Walk the Way the Wind Blows. Book includes both notation and lyrics with chord changes. Also, Tim shares his knowledge in chapters on singing and songwriting. Please spread the word! You can find it HERE on Amazon.

How do y'all keep your tunes and tune data in order?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 08:46:51 CST

Curious how people here actually keep track of tunes these days.

Do you use spreadsheets? YouTube playlists? Phone recordings from jams? Notes apps? PDFs? Set lists? Something else?

I realized over the years I ended up with tunes scattered across all of those and started building something for myself to keep recordings, keys, tunings, references, versions, and shared repertoire attached to the actual tune instead of spread across apps.

But now I’m wondering if I’m solving a weird personal problem or if other people organize music this way too.

What’s your current system and what annoys you most about it?

Went to a Violin Store and ...

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 18 May 2026 08:43:46 CST

I'm a novice with a suitable student instrument. My teacher tried my violin and said don't upgrade until I can spend at least $1500. If I get better and can play more, eventually I'd like to upgrade. But, if and when I'm ready, I feel like I'm going to be very intimidated and will have no idea how to shop.

I recently went to the larger violin store in my area when I had few minutes and was driving by. I needed to buy another piece of rosin as my dog had knocked the one I off my desk and shattered it. The main floor was rather stark with a couple younger people at the register. I asked for some rosin and they recommended a $12 piece which I bought.

I was curious if I could learn what the process would be like if/when I want to upgrade. I'm used to plucked instrument stores where can pull (almost) anything off the rack and try it. Several times I've spent in hour in a store playing a dozen mandolins from $3,000-$10,000 and from what I understand, violin stores don't work that way. So how do you ever start learning what you'd even want if you can't dabble?

I did mention to one the young guys that my teacher said my next violin should be at least $1500 and I was curious how you go about picking the next level one out. He showed me a shelf of violins that were of better rental quality with outfits about $900 and also that I could rent to own. I don't think he understood was I said, I said I don't need a violin a tiny bit better than what I had. He did mention that the violins up to about $3000 were downstairs the above about $3000 were upstairs (or v.v.). But I needed to get back to work so I didn't window shop on those floors; not sure if it would have even been appropriate. Maybe if I had time and went to the $1500-3000 floor there would have been a guy who could describe the process and at least tell how making an appointment would work and what to expect. I don't know.

what is it ?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 17 May 2026 21:27:11 CST

...it is the player ...learning how to play / use / handle the instruments (bow and fiddle) / tool they have in their hands, more than just learning the tunes.

BUT - the emphasis needs to be placed on - the player LEARNING how to use that particular instrument and that bow in their hands - to make it work - more than anything else. Every bow and fiddle is looking to be treated a certian way. One of our primary tasks is to learn what that is (imo),

Yes. I know some instruments are VSOs - but the proof of what I am saying is easy to recognize in the fiddlers we emulate and what they had to use. They learned how to make what they had - sing. They did not have access to what we have available.

So is the secret in getting a "better" instrument? ..or falling in love with what you have? ....and "learning to treat her right"?
Or would you say that the reason a person is noted for their fiddling is because of they had such an exceptional instrument to play?

...ought to be good for at least a 20+ response thread - I would think.

AI again.... Heres what its good at..

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:28:52 CST

Just spent a happy afternoon with AI and it came up with a tailor made fiddle scales program just for me! Edit: all the buttons work! going to try to make it play tomorrow. the physics button displays how it physically looks on the fiddle ie: positions getting smaller!

Performing Hangout fiddlers...on Facebook

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:25:13 CST

Performing Hangout fiddlers... Do you have a public/professional Facebook page for yerself or yer band?

I thought it might be fun to follow each other... get some interaction going...

My trio has a new page and if you follow it, we'll follow you back... Share yer links...

https://www.facebook.com/thegreenbriarband

Three note walk-up intro for bluegrass break

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 14 May 2026 07:54:31 CST

I often hear a breaks on fiddle in bluegrass tunes start with a walk-up three ascending notes, like - "Da Da Da Note". Where "Note" is the first note of the melody.

I would assume that works when the melody starts on a downbeat ("Note is on the downbeat), and the melody doesn't start with a pickup; so "Da Da Da" functions as a pickup. Sound right?

Curious if there a standard set of notes that are used? Does it vary based on the first "Note" of the melody, like if it's a the 1st of the Chord of the 5th of the chord?

Any tips on adding the three-note walk off to kick off a break based on melody?

Anyone have an example of a standard bluegrass tune where this works?

E String Issue

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 13 May 2026 05:36:52 CST

Sometimes, when doing an upstroke on the E string (doesn’t seem to happen on down stroke) there is no sound. For a second there is silence. I haven’t been able to pinpoint if it’s a certain section of the bow when this happens. Nor whether it’s a bow problem or a string problem. Any suggestions what might be causing this or how to zero in on the issue?
Thanks!
John

Something about a Bass

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:54:36 CST

I brought my $80 electric bass to the weekly jam. I have a little microcube I put under my chair. A bass is so welcome it's one of the few amplified instruments allowed at our jams. Our circle is about twelve feet at the longest. So a bass tightens up the rhythm, as we're all a bit hearing impaired. I played one fiddle tune, the bass was so well received.
So I'm back in learn mode. I know my 1, 4, 5 in all the common keys, but need to add the minor 3 and 6. It'll come in time. It's almost like work, but still fun.

I spose everyone here knows how to play bass but chooses not? Yes? No?

Leaning on a Wall

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 07:48:24 CST

I learned this tune from a recording by Dirk Powell ("Hand Me Down") - great tune. But I've been kind of reluctant to play it out - I've never heard anyone else play it, and so - I figured it was a tune composed by Dirk. He has written a few other nice tunes.

But now I'm learning that it is a traditional tune from Kentucky and West Virginia. But there is no other recording available in the public - that I have found. Apparently Bruce Greene used to play it and did teach it at one time - but no digitized recordings online.

Apparently, it only shows up in a few Eastern Kentucky tune lists, West Virginia modal tune inventories, a few handwritten fiddlers’ notebooks, and collector notes from the 1970s–80s. No fiddler is given credit for the tune. The written version seems to show it to have been a slightly crooked tune, played in D. Dirk's version is not crooked, and he plays it in G.

No - none of this is that important... but I sure would love to know a bit more - and would really love to hear a recording of it played "crooked in D".

Can anyone add anything? ...has a recording? (never know until you ask)

bow hair

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 10 May 2026 10:13:49 CST

I'm sure most all of us have had to have a bow re-haired. I've had several through the years.

Unless I was mis-informed about a few issues I've had through the years, there is a few things that I've learned about the different grades, types. color, methods used to install.

I used to go through hairs pretty quick, so... on a few occasions, I thought it would be wise to learn how to do this for myself. But I don't need it as often now - so - no more than what I would need to do it, I would never get enough experience to "master" the art. And I have found a good luthier that I trust.

Reason for the post here: I'd like to hear what you have learned through the years - about all of those things we should know to get the best hair to compliment how we fiddle.

I'll save mine for a little later. I'd rather hear some things first. Please...

The “History” of the Folk Revival

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 9 May 2026 08:53:42 CST

This video is part of a series I’ve come across recently that goes into the origins of bluegrass, country, and Old Time music. It’s intriguing to hear the story of how music that came to be considered foundational was so carefully curated and industrialized. It’s also interesting to see how many of the figures in the history were not just Bohemian creatives or simple country bumpkins but were often savvy businessmen who capitalized on trends they saw. It also shows how much a lot of the people who were making the music who weren’t as savvy were scalped and cannibalized by the New England folk revivalists who wanted to co-opt the music to suit their own purposes.

youtu.be/JJlZGpEtA1E?si=NeKyMlr0fUf33iV4

Just Intonation vs. Equal Temperament and Digital Tuners

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 7 May 2026 08:18:48 CST

I've read that violins are played in just intonation instead of equal temperament.

I've also read that you shouldn't try to watch a tuner to refine your intonation while playing.

I've occasionally turned my tuner on while play a note to "check" the intonation, like, that F# just doesn't seem to sound right. Let me turn on my tuner and check that one note. But I find it frustrating. I would guess that digital tuners are setup for Equal Temperament. That makes me think that trying to match the tuner may be pointless if my ear is looking to hear just intonation.

Using Structured Practice to Improve Violin Consistency

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 5 May 2026 07:21:01 CST

Hi, I`m new here. And I’ve been thinking about how much structured routines can improve consistency in violin playing, especially for those of us who benefit from clear patterns and repetition. Breaking practice into small, predictable segments—like intonation, bow control, and rhythm—has made a noticeable difference for me. It reduces frustration and helps track progress more objectively. Curious if others here use structured approaches or prefer a more free-form style when practicing?

Looking for Jams, or any Get Togethers, close by in Missouri

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 4 May 2026 05:08:12 CST

Been trying to find others in my area for quite a while, and I've put the word in Facebook groups as well.
My dilemma: I've been trying, and re-trying, to teach myself old time fiddle for a number of years. Always starting, stopping and re-starting. Recently I decided to get out of my comfort zone and attend a jam in St Louis. It was great, although I was a bundle of nerves at first. Problem is it is a 2 hour drive (I'm in Pulaski County). In fact, ALL the known (to me) jams are a 1.5-2 hr drive, usually on a worknight, which includes Springfield area, McClurg, St Louis and Columbia....and I'm smack dab in the middle, in a fiddling DEADZONE it seems.
I'm gonna try one in Ozark this Friday, being that it is slightly less of a drive. But, as gas is getting out of hand this may me short lived as well.
It really sucks, because I really enjoy playing with others.

So, now I'm putting the question out here: Does anyone know of any open old time jams closer to my area, or of any players in this area, who might be willing to get together somewhere in the area?

Surrounding counties are: Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Pulaski, Wright, Texas

Review of Violin Pro-Hold by Susanne Woolley

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 1 May 2026 10:04:06 CST

Professor Susanne Woolley, String Music Teacher at East Central University (Oklahoma), reviews the Violin Pro-Hold, an innovative magnetic system designed to maintain optimal playing position with reduced neck pressure. The tool features a thin, lightweight magnetic anchor that provides stability and reduced physical strain by minimizing the need for downward chin or jaw pressure.

Order the Violin Pro-Hold at violinprohold.com

Selling help

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:46:22 CST

Just wondering what this violin is going for.
Ton-klar
The dancla
Made in west Germany
No. 126/3273
With a friedrich Zach bow.
Any and all help would be awesome.

The Fiddle Shop

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:25:18 CST

I'm thinking that "The Fiddle Shop" (Brian Christianson) in Nashville has gone out of business. At least - its not showing up in any searches...

Does anyone know for sure?

I've heard rumors - that he once worked as a luthier at Fred Carpenter's "The Violin Shop" and later opened his own business. I went to his shop a few times over the years- and wanted to stop by again - since (in my silly mind) - he was pointing to fiddles instead of violins in his business. But I knew he maintained a good relationship with Fred. I'm still looking for "my" fiddle.

Did he go back to the Violin Shop - or has he moved on... I know he was a really good fiddler.

Pretty Little Cat (and friends)

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:36:31 CST

A friend shared a version of "Pretty Little Cat" that I enjoyed working out on banjo this morning (fiddle is next). It's the Foghorn Duo version [1]. That led me to a rabbit hole, of course, where I came across the one on Slippery Hill from Wilson Douglas [2] and the Traditional Tune Archive annotation connecting it to "Pretty Little Dog" and "Henry Reed's Breakdown" [3]. Oddly enough, earlier today I was watching a video with Alan Jabbour and Ken Pearlman where they play "Henry Reed's Breakdown" [4], which I had never heard either.

The tune's similarities to "Kitchen Girl" (at least that Foghorn version), "June Apple" (the Douglas version), Dwight Diller's "Muddy Roads", and so many others are pretty fascinating, but none of these really seem to match up with the Foghorn one quite right. I'm curious, are there well worn (or lesser known) stories about these distinctions? I like the one my friend shared best, in part because it's a bit different than and has a nice groove when slow. I'm interested to know where these folks got their version, or if it just came out of messing around with others.

Thanks for any help!

[1 Foghorn Duo]: youtu.be/G6FdUkSeokU
[2 Wilson Douglas]: slippery-hill.com/content/pret...ittle-cat
[3 TTA]: tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:P...ittle_Cat
[4 Jabbour's Henry Reed's Breakdown]: youtu.be/ifRZ47BItts?si=mgE5VT...0LP&t=385

I built an Old Time tune tracking/organization app, maybe you'd like it

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:54:13 CST

Hi all, it's been a long time since I've been here (2011 apparently!). I hope it's OK to post a promotional thing. I want to share an app I built to track and organize the tunes I know and love. Some of my local fiddling friends have been using it and so far they're into it!

It's called TuneSheet (tunesheet.com). You can add your tunes (one at a time or in bulk) and record/upload audio for them. There's a "slow downer" feature for recordings and you organize your tunes with custom tags and lists. You can share your tunes with other people (even if they don't have a TuneSheet account).

One feature I'm most proud of is "tune roulette" where you can shake your phone to have it present a random tune. Say you're in a jam and are trying to think of G tunes... You can filter your tunes by the key of G, then shake the phone to get a random G tune. If you don't like it's pick, just shake it again. Our local jam has gotten some real use out of this and at Folk Festival in April a buddy of mine told me about a session he got into that attempted to only play the tunes called randomly by the app.

The value for me comes from spending years keeping track of my tunes in a spreadsheet that's gotten totally out of control. Recently I also began adding tunes to the notes app on my phone and have a ton of unorganized recordings in my voice memos app. It seems like a lot of my friends are in the same boat.

Anyway, it's very new and there's a lot more that I want to do but the current version is finally ready to share.

You can try it out for free without entering any payment info. There is ultimately a subscription fee (the app costs me quite a bit in time and money to keep it running) but I've tried to keep it affordable with cheaper options that people can select if they can't afford it. I realize that folks might be sick of apps and subscriptions and all that... I'm hoping people will think of it as more of a "supporting an artist/creator" thing rather than subscribing to yet another app.

If you want to try it out, you can sign up at tunesheet.com/signup. If you're curious about the price and how I'm thinking about it, all the details (including an FAQ) are at tunesheet.com/pricing. If you need more time to play with it than the free 30 days, let me know and I will extend your trial. If you pay for it and decide you don't like it, I will refund you. If you want to see some screenshots just go to the homepage (tunesheet.com).

Right now the mobile app is only available for iOS (here: apps.apple.com/us/app/tuneshee...761281400). Though I'm currently working through Google's requirements to get it out there for Android so it should be there soon. If you want an Android preview, I can send you the app with installation instructions.

If you have kind feedback I'm all for it. I feel vulnerable putting this out there so, I want to emphasize the "kind" part of that. If you find bugs or any confusing things, please let me know instead of leaving a negative review (you can email me at carter@tunesheet.com or just respond here).

Also, if you have a big list of tunes and feel daunted by adding them all in for the first time, I would love to do it for you. This will help me build out some tune import features I want to create and, I hope, save you a bunch of time.

Thanks for reading!

Just A Jam

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:58:16 CST

A jam session in the jammers area of Berks Fiddle Fest. Enjoy some of the best in Berks County

IEM's for Fiddle

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:42:55 CST

Any recs on good sounding IEM's for a fiddler? Someone recommended to me the Sensaphonics D2 earphones. Thanks!

Tune Suggestions: Easy bluegrass/folk songs with a lot of space for fils

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:10:44 CST

I'm a novice player and have just started working on putting simple fills in. I found two tutorials that use Banks of the Ohio and it's perfect as there is a full chuck/boom/chuck/boom between each line. A couple songs i practice backup and breaks on, Circle Be Unbroken and I Am a Pilgrim, only have one chuck/boom between each line.

Anyone have suggestions for easy standards with plenty of space for fills between lines?

Don't need notation or chords, I'll look them up. Don't need recordings unless they are slower tempos as most renditions will be to fast for me; I generally practice with strum machine.

-Ken

Original Instrumental

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:51:32 CST

Nyke Van Wyk and Craig Thatcher perform an original instrumental at Berks Fiddle Fest

Bending first thumb knuckle on bowing hand

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:09:27 CST

I've heard that you should bend your first knuckle (neat the tip) of your thumb when holding your bow. I keep slipping back into having the knuckle fully extended. It just seems to keep the bow steady and I'm working very hard on trying not to hold the bow too tight and anything that steadies it helps. So...

Is not bending that knuckle really so bad that I have to break the habit as it will hold me back?

If I really need to bend the knuckle, any tips on keeping it bent and keeping the bow steady?

Playing while injured!

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:27:32 CST

Those of us who play out, have you ever injured a finger, hand, arm or what have you, and still done the performance? Last week, I pinched my middle finger setting up a stupid mic stand, pinched it right on the landing pad, while setting up for the first of 4 sets per day for a 2 day festival. Raised a nice big blood blister and the whole finger print part went all eggplant colored and swollen. Played both days, but painfully ( and hyped the concertina tunes, which hurt less). Its just getting back to normal color but still hurts a bit.

So lets hear anyone's war stories about playing through an injury or a booboo!

Tape/marks on a bass neck?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:13:16 CST

youtube.com/watch?v=TPw5TvDPRoc

Stop it at 2:53. It sure looks like that the bass players has some stops up the neck with some sort of markers. Never seen that before.

Fingers holding the bow hair?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 05:15:32 CST

Here’s a photo of a fiddler named Sarah Gwendolyn. She appears to be holding down the bow hairs with her fingers. Has anyone seen this before?

Getting intonation right when starting

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:32:09 CST

I decided not to be a wimp and pulled the tape of my finger board a bit ago. Of course being a novice intonation is always something I need to work on. The hardest part is when I first start a piece. Muscle memory helps for the distance between the fingers but less so when the left hand is first positioned. Anyone have tips?

I have one trick I've tried which seems to help. That is, before I start test play the three finger note (5th stop) and get in tune with the octave below on the longer string. Like play D on the A string and then D on the D string and get them in tune. Have I a clue?

'The End of Homemade Music"

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:12:38 CST

A good little chat - he's not saying anything most of us haven't thought of, I would assume, but it's nice to hear someone saying it, all the same: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw8DS2rx4nU

New CD by the band SNAPPIN' BUG: "Straight Four"

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:42:34 CST

I got to know the fiddling of Mark Tamsula a while back, and today received an email from Mark bringing this new recording to my attention - so I thought I'd share: With one or two exceptions these were all new tunes to my ear. And they were all done with exceptional musical finery. The bass captured the drive of the music, and showed up in all the (sample) recordings at a consistent, appreciable level that did not fade into the sound mist or interfere with the cadence of the band. Your fiddle was snappy, precise, assertive where it needed to carry a fast piece, and poetic on waltz music. The banjo pushed the tunes forward – as though the five-string player was placing his hand on the backs of each musican and pressing them forward to keep in charge of the beat. It brought me back to Clifftops long ago – especially David Winston’s clawhammer that found a way to charge ahead with the sound and feel of a steam driven locomotive. The guitar, fife, and accordian all added up to a find band recipe for great old-time music. Here’s the link to their new album, STRAIGHT FOURS: snappinbug.com/store/product/s...fours-cd/

Lee Cremo on Up Home Tonight

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:16:44 CST

Here's a little something to put a bit of a bounce into your step: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOip8X3bEbE

(If you go to the youtube channel, you'll get lots more of Lee Cremo - at parties, dances, as well as his albums).

American Violin by Thomas Hofto, 1920

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:12:51 CST

This is a violin made by Tacoma, Washington violin maker and player Thomas L. Hofto. The maker spent some time learning from a Polish maker in California, then moved to Washington, where he established a business making and selling violins from 1915 until his death.

A jazz player from DC brought this violin to me to sell because he’s been downsizing his collection of violins and bows. It was played extensively and then taken to The Violin House of Weaver for repair and revarnishing (its original varnish had been peeling off to the point that it was no longer salvageable). It was set up there to the player’s preference of low string heights for quick response and ease of playing with a light touch. It responds easily and produces a rather pleasant tone. It’s a quirky violin that’s part of the history of Washington state violin making. I have some additional information and pictures of the maker that I will provide to the buyer upon purchase.

Here is the listing:
fiddlehangout.com/classified/13138

GEWA Hybrid Carbon Fiber/Pernambuco Violin Bow

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:47:47 CST

This is a bow that provides good value and handling at a price that’s easy on the wallet.

A colleague who was impressed with their full size bows persuaded the company to follow up on their success by making them in fractional sizes as well for younger players. The fractional bows have turned out to be a success for the company as well.

I have two of these bows available currently.

Here is the listing:
fiddlehangout.com/classified/13137

Violin Cello to Violin Bass

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:32:16 CST

I have 4 old student cello’s lying around the place 2 full size and 2 half size. So I took a Stentor II (is that two or eleven) full size and bought a d,addario low F string for the NS design electric cello for it. Reading all the reviews on this string it comes up time and again that on an acoustic cello it is way too floppy so I hatched a plan!
I moved the soundpost a little closer to the tailpiece and then shifted the bridge to the other side of the soundpost. Then I fitted it with a tailpiece from one of the half size cello’s, and of course I had to make a new taller bridge. The vibrating string length is now 2” longer than the standard. This makes the F string acceptable. I honestly thought it would be better but it still is quite good. I payed a little under €70 for the F from Thomman in Germany. For the other 3 slots (CGD) I bought a set of cheap and cheerful Chinese cello strings for €30 which are only available in medium strength.
The bridge is two pieces of bamboo glued together with the grain direction 90 degrees opposed as you can see in the photo. The idea of this is to maintain strength and take advantage of the vertical grain which transfers sound waves a lot more efficiently.
The results are very impressive. The F as mentioned is good and the other 3 are awesome when plucked. Soft tension Larsen’s are on my wishlist. Due in part to the short afterlenght below the bridge and the inferior strings the bowing performance is mediocre with the current set up.
Off to the pub for a play! Yippee!!!
The first thing is space. Sitting in tightly packed space this instrument is the ideal size. I’ve seen double bass players at sessions and they have to stand to play and they get relegated to the periphery. It’s hard to be objective when it comes to the sound and volume of an instrument like this because all the sound is projected forward away from the player. From what I can hear it sounds exactly like a a double bass and I can clearly hear the CD&A strings. The F not so clearly but I know it’s there. It is great fun to play. The tuning is a little funky to get used to, GDAE would be easier for me but I like to have the F available for now. Maybe when I get the lower tension strings I can shorten the vibrating length a little and tune it up higher. The really important thing is that everybody loves it and it is welcomed to the session (some people I rub shoulders with are fussy. Very fussy).
So it’s a winner if any of you want to give it a try

what causes the bow to slip back & forth across the strings??

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:08:09 CST

Sometimes when I practice, my bow will slide back & forth from side to side on the strings, especially the E string. It's usually not a problem, but occasionally it is, like this morning. I have always assumed, maybe incorrectly, that it probably had something to do with rosin. I probably assumed this because it's only an occasional problem. Can this be caused by too much, or too little rosin on the bow, or by rosin build up on the strings? Maybe it's something I'm doing, but if so, I can't figure out why it just happens once in a while.

If I could change one thing about violin/fiddle learning materials

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:25:33 CST

It may be because I come from fretted instruments but even if I didn't I think it would make more sense to simply use a stop numbers instead of finger and low or high.

I just find 1 2 3 4 way simpler than 1 low, 1, 2 low, etc.