Fiddle Hangout - Other Fiddle-Related Topics Forum Feed

Terry Dignon Cd Kickstarter

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:26:31 CST

Those of you who followed the Hangoutout post about getting the Old Time Sound may remember that I highlighted the playing of my friend Terry Dignon.. Terry is a most enthusiastic and talented young man. He is trying to get a CD produced and is doing a fundraiser... See below. Thanks

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/892039524/recording-a-quality-debut-old-time-album

Congress: Instruments allowed as airline carry-ons

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 05:13:13 CST

Click here for the article.

Fiddle layout with all notes

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 17:53:26 CST

I had a sheet of paper that was given to me that had the whole layout and notes on the fiddle. Anyone know here I could find this to print out online. I don't even remember where I got mine.

Changing keys

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:31:56 CST

My fiddle teacher has challenged me to do key changes for my songs. I'm learning two things here, one this can be very fun and exciting (no it doesn't take much). And two how much I dislike the E string. If you had asked me to do something like this a year ago, I would have thought you were crazy, but changing keys helps me learn the song and remember it better. Is there anyone else out there that does this? Keep in mind I've only been playing for about 2 years and before that I played mandolin. Reading music, much less changing keys was foreign to me. This just opens up a whole lot of new possibilities at jam sessions for me! I "hear" the songs better too it seems in different keys. The E string thing, I'll get over, or get a 5 string fiddle somewhere down the road.... Susan

IBMM in dire straits, possibly moving to Nashville?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 11:14:13 CST

Here's the article in Bluegrass Today.

Playing Bluegrass 8-Week Class - Jupiter, FL (Begins This Week 2-8)

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 07:02:22 CST

Hello Everyone -

Once again, I will be holding an 8 week class for anyone interested in learning how to play bluegrass and acoustic music with others. For anyone in the Jupiter Florida area who may be interested in joining, the class starts tonight. The sessions are held in 8 week terms. All skill levels are invited to attend.

For more information, go to www.fretmentor.com.

Here is a link to the online advertising flyer:

http://www.fretmentor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35:bluegrass-performance-class&catid=49:music-classes-and-workshops&Itemid=16

I look forward to seeing many of you tonight.

Pleasant surprise from Thomastik--Infeld E in Strings this month

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 01:52:22 CST

The 25th Anniversary Strings magazine (March 2012) arrived yesterday, and as I read it this morning, I found a double page ad from Thomastik for Peter Infeld strings, including an E string glued to the page. Clever people these Austrians, tempting us to buy expensive strings this way.

Harold

I couldn't get to my fiddle for TWO WHOLE HOURS!!!

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 22:50:25 CST

I was at school yesterday (I'm usually on campus all day because of bus schedules) and by about 1:30 I didn't have any homework, my brother was in classes and my friend I was going to hang out with forgot and went home, so naturally the thing I wanted to do most in the world was play my fiddle! So I went to go get it out of my locker, and there were two kids sitting in front of the lockers - specifically RIGHT in front of my locker - drawing a picture of the hall for their art class homework!!! I couldn't ask them to move so I was hoping they'd be done in a few minutes. I went outside because it was nice, warm, and sunny, and sat down on the sidewalk just outside the doorway to wait. I waited...and waited...and waited...but they still weren't done. I was starting to go crazy because I wanted my fiddle so bad. I started pacing around while I waited. All I could hear was my fiddle's frantic screams: "Let me out!!! Please come get me!! I want to be played!!!" One of my teachers, whose office is in the building, must have noticed me pacing back and forth because he brought out a chair for me and said I could sit down, lol! :) So another hour dragged SLOWLYYYYY by, and FINALLY, after what seemed like 40 years, the kids drawing the hall were done and I got to go get my fiddle out!!! I guess now I know what parents must feel like when their kid gets kidnapped...

Have you ever had any similar experiences, where you couldn't get to your fiddle and it drove you CRAZY? :)

Henry T Fiddler

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:12:50 CST

Dear freinds, anyone ever hear of Henry T Fiddler/ he was here in Yuma in January at our annual contest, he came to my house set up transferring photos from my camera to my computer, Boy howdy that guy can fiddle he won the grand championship here last month the trick and fancy event also. I just seen him in Ajo Arizona this past weekend at their annual contest, he won again, He tied with Katherin Messer and they had to do another round, he beat her by one point,, the audience went wild a lot of whooping and hollerin, He can also play a saw, something I havent seen in a long while, he is also a fan of one of my earlier influences or who I admired as a kid "Spade Cooley"..................................I just thought I would tell you he is one fine fiddler, I hope everyone gets to meet him someday, he travels around from town to town..................................................Dennis in Az

Filmed Myself Fiddling

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:35:35 CST

I can understand how I drove that one Classical instructor mad. My bow goes...well it goes where I want it to go. I seem to get to the notes alright and I like my tone enough and seemingly so do my pards in the band and at the local pub. I hold my bow...well I hold it my way, trading off from a TUF to a "Russian?" in which only a few fingers hold it. I played "Cherokee Shuffle" and "Nine Pound Hamburger" and "Swallowtail Jig" and a few others in front of the camera.

I don't look as young as I used to, for some reason.

I only kept that instructor for one lesson, too, afore I fired him. He wanted to "correct" all that was good and fine and blessed and pure and fun with my fiddling.

And I ain' playin' no Gustav Mooler, either.

Sincerely,

Humbled

Just be glad you play the fiddle..

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:54:39 CST

See? Now aren't you glad you mother made you play the fiddle and NOT the banjo?

New 5-string

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:10:10 CST

I bought a nice 5-string fiddle from another FHO member. I spent hours tonight playing my regular tunes a string or two down, having fun experiencing the deep darkness of the lower registers. Now I'm wonder what else I can do with it.

On my other fiddles, I usually keep the G string tuned up to A. Does anyone who plays a 5-string cross-tune? I tried an AADAE tuning, with the two bottom As an octave apart. I play Richmond Cotillion with chords on the second part of the B section, and with my new 5-string, even my old dog paid attention! What else can I do with my new toy? I was thinking I might try an EAEAE tuning, but worried that the C string would be over-stressed with an E tuning, so I might wait and try an octave violin string (thanks again to the FHO member who sent me octave strings! You know who you are...) or a viola string.

What suggestions do you have? Anyone else out there play a 5-string? Now that I have my wonderful new fiddle, I'm wondering what I can do with it.

Need Violin Identification Help!

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 4 Feb 2012 21:55:46 CST

Hello Everybody!

I was recently helping a friend prep his great grandfather's home for sale. The house had been in his family since 1912. For my help, my friend told me that if I saw something I liked, I could have it. Well, I came across two violins in the attic which belonged to his great grandfather. Without hesitation, my friend removed them from the trash pile and gave them to me. When I finally got them home, I was in for a bit of a surprise! Here's what I found:

1. Early to Mid 1900's (unable to verify) Stainer (supposed) Violin in a wooden case. No label inside, but "Stainer" engraved on the back. Beautiful wood striping on the back and "odd" shape of body.

2. Stradivarius Copy. Label states: Copy Of Antonio Stradivarius, Made in Germany. Scroll having decorative carving. (Early to mid 1900's, again unable to verify)

I was wondering if anybody would have any insight to verify and properly identify these 2 violins. I would like to restore them to playing condition if it is worth it. They both have minor damage near the bridge, mostly scratches and a small chip. The strad copy has some more along the body which looks like seperation of the wood. :(

I would love to here from someone with more experience then myself about these violins! Can you help a newbie out? You can find pictures on my profile page under "Stainer Violin" and "Strad Copy."

Thanks in advance!

~Eric

Young fiddler is finalist in music competition

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 4 Feb 2012 19:15:55 CST

I just found out one of my 6th grade fiddle students is a finalist for the Topeka Young Musicians Awards....!! She entered playing Ragtime Annie and created her own version of this fiddle tune from listening to other arrangements...the other instrumentalists were all playing classical tunes. I am really proud of the judges for incorporating this style into their competition.....awesome......

This is also very cool because it shows that judges and competitions for being a good musician now are opening the door for tunes that aren't strictly of one genre. like classical. I think this will keep and get a lot more kids interested in playing when they find out that they can be recognized with their peers at the same ability levels even though they prefer folk styles. I am not a teacher that pushes my students towards competitions but if they are interested I will certainly coach them and encourage them to participate when there is an opportunity that fits their desires. We (the student and myself) also remain very open minded about what a competition is about. We believe in doing our best and letting the subjective judges do their thing. We use it as a training tool to accomplish work that we might otherwise not be as motivated to engage in. It's great to win but it's really even greater to do the work and try to finish at the top.

anyone familiar with Georgia fiddler Newt Payne?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 4 Feb 2012 16:28:54 CST

While browsing through YouTube recently, I came across a video of Stephanie Coleman and Adam Hurt playing a piece entitled "Newt Payne's Tune" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOD8f3BiL_U ) . There are a few other videos of the tune on YouTube, and one MP3 here on the Hangout. It seems that most current versions of it come from Bob Townsend's CD "Old Time Fiddlin' Tunes From the South Cumberland". Being a banjo player in the mood to play an obscure tune I had never heard of before, I began learning a clawhammer version of it, with some help from tablature I found on the Mossy Oaks site (http://stringband.mossyroof.com/ ).

Learning the tune then piqued curiousity about Newt himself, which only increased once an Internet search turned up almost no information on him, other than that he was an old-time fiddler from Georgia. I did come across a reference to a Newt Payne who lived from 1904 - 1977, but I am not even sure that it the Newt in question. So I was just wondering if anyone here on the FiddleHangout had heard of him, knew whether he had ever recorded, knew of other tunes in his repertoire, and so forth. There might be such information in the liner notes of Bob's CD, but I don't own a copy.

Byron Berline with Bill Monroe in 1967

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 4 Feb 2012 08:08:50 CST

Thanks to Buddur at BHO for THIS LINK.

bow hair

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 3 Feb 2012 12:38:03 CST

http://www.allthingsstrings.com/layout/set/print/Bows/CARE-MAINTENANCE/How-Different-Hair-Types-Influence-a-Bow-s-Sound-and-Feel

This was an interesting read for me. Thought I would pass it on and ask for comments.

Recording a fiddle

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 3 Feb 2012 10:26:26 CST

I would like some tips on recording a fiddle.. I have a Steiner with a pickup on it.I have been plugging it in directly into my Korg D3200 recorder.. but the sound is not natural.. I find it harsh, with every scratchy movement of the bow, & almost distorting kind of sound, hard to explain, but certainly not what I would like to hear like Bluegrass fiddlers through a mic..

Any & all suggestions would be most welcome & greatly appreciated.. I have several different mics, Shure SM 58, Shure SM 57, Ribbon condenser mic, & large diaphragm condenser mic.

Missouri Brenda's Reel - History?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:11:55 CST

I learned Stinnetts version of Brenda's Reel recently. It's a great tune, but I'm trying to figure out where it came from. As far as I can tell, it's got no relation to the Canadian "Brenda Stubberts", but it doesn't seem like the kind of tune that just evolved. Anybody know anything more about it?

Another mystery is "Big Horned Cattle." Stinnett apparently learned it from his father, but it seems unrelated to any other tune I know of.

"Keeping the Tradition Alive in Little Dixie" - video

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 3 Feb 2012 06:03:44 CST

Ran across this video on the 'Kansas City Old Time Music' blog and thought I'd share it here. Pretty good video with a lot of Missouri fiddle content. Even a not-so-Missouri appearance of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

http://www.openfilm.com/videos/keeping_the_tradition_alive_in_little_dixie/

Good blog to keep in your regular browse rotation too.

Know your timber - Peer pressure?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 3 Feb 2012 02:34:41 CST

A fairly idle question!

Seen from over here in England it's noticeable that players in the US, seem to be very knowledgeable about the woods used in their (newer obviously) instruments. This suggests it's something people care about.

Over here in England, I doubt one in a hundred players would be able to recite the list of timbers that make up their new instrument.

Is it "expected" over there in the USA that you'll know? Is there peer pressure to know? Would anyone confess to making it up because they didn't know? Is it more prevalent on the net than in "real life"? Is it more noticeable with some instruments? Over at mandolincafe.com they seem red hot on the issue!

Maybe just social custom amongst musicians. I wonder how it got started and reached critical mass.

Cheers

Tom

Groundhog Day

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:51:33 CST

Come on, I thought someone would post something related to the holiday.

Ok, here's something for the occasion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C64trwPaKMs&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL91682E2BD2B2657C

Wintergrass Bellevue, WA 2012

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:34:08 CST

Any one headed to Wintergrass in Bellevue this year? It is a LOT of fun!!! last year they had a LivingSocial deal for half off the full-weekend tickets. Keeping my fingers crossed they do it again- otherwise I will buck up and pay the full amount as we have in years past- it is well worth the $$$

Here is the link: http://www.acousticsound.org/

Mark O'connor playing on skateboard

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 06:34:15 CST

Here is a link to watch Mark O'Connor playing an entire concert on skateboard. 20 years old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mujTVTrSBw0&feature=share

SPBGMA in Nashville

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:40:54 CST

SPBGMA 38th Annual Bluegrass Music Awards & 29th National Convention is in Nashville this weekend at the Music City Sheraton.

Anyone going?? I'll be there Friday night and most all day Saturday. Lots of good pickin'.

Sure, I SAY I'm Learning The Fiddle....

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 04:25:46 CST

but it feels like I'm really learning the bow.

"Self-deprecation-free" Zone

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:41:58 CST

Just letting somebody know that I am feeling pretty good about my fiddling tonight.

Bow question

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:26:41 CST

A couple of years ago I had our local violin maker put together a ( fiddle ) for me.

He did a great job selecting from his large quantities of violin bodies.

At that time I just had to have a fiddle, not knowing anything about one...( I do play a banjo ( try ) in old time and a little bluegrass backup.

The violin maker ( excellent credentials and a great person ) included a bow with my purchase, told me it wasn't anything special.

Now the question regarding a bow....on certain areas of the bow while playing I get this great feel like it is grabbing, and sounds great, on other areas it feels like the bow is just sliding and I don't like the feel of it.

I like the feel of the grabbing part..

Could the bow be worn out ? Hairs are all intact, not loose.

Rosin helps but fades rapidly...

Strings are same that came with the instrument

Same with various tension's on the bow.

Thought I'd try here for some input...Thanks

Lomax work digitized / available soon

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:02:17 CST

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/arts/music/the-alan-lomax-collection-from-the-american-folklife-center.html?_r=1&hp

Thought I would pass this along. Looks like all of Alan Lomax's collection of work is going to be available online soon.

Posting a pre-recorded fiddle tune

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:56:40 CST

Just wondering what steps are necessary to post recorded files from older fiddle players. I've transferred 33 LP recordings to CD and could transfer the recordings to my laptop. It there a way to post any of these tunes to FHO...? Suggestions and directions are appreciated.

Is there a place for a guy like this...

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:28:35 CST

...on fiddle hangout?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMxX0y8eeq8&list=UUdjQ9a8ebE_bV6Z52xFrJBw&index=1&feature=plcp

I just realized how terrified I am...

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:34:29 CST

...just watched on YouTube a video synopsis of the 2009 Vandalia Gathering in wva...I dream of getting to go to soe of these things not that far away from me one f these years,..taking the fiddle, banjo, guitar and just jumping n there ... The suddenly was overwhelmed by fear... Yes, I think I would be scared to death to go and play music in such a situation! I think I am phobic of musicians (have never called or thought of myself as one), and even more phobic of fiddlers in the flesh. Lol...that's a bad, bad feeling!

Freedom Lake Park Old Time Jam (Clearwater)

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:08:48 CST

The Pinellas Folk Festival at Heritage Village is Saturday. It looks like most fiddle and banjo people in the area are going there, so there will not be anyone at the Freedom Lake Old Time Jam.

The next Freedom Lake Jam will be Saturday Feb 11.

Nick

RP Christeson's "Old Time Fiddle Repertory" Now online

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:09:42 CST

Here's my latest project. Book 1

Much thanks to Terri Lakacko for all her help on this one.

http://slippery-hill.com/RP/

Speed Vs. Tone

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:59:59 CST

It seems to me that people playing musical instruments, seem to fall into two different camps; those concerned with speed and those concerned with good tone. Which are you? Before you answer both, ask yourself which would (and do) you sacrifice to attain the other? I'm definitly in the tone camp. I don't mind being slow but I abhore bad tone.

Gaspesian Fiddle Article

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:53:25 CST

I recently completed an article for the Gaspesian Heritage webmagazine summarizing some of my work documenting the fiddle traditions of the English-speaking population of the Gaspé penninsula here in Quebec. We have some audio, video, and nice photos to go along. Thought some people out the in the greater fiddlesphere might be into this sort of thing. http://gaspesie.quebecheritageweb.com/article/gaspe-sound-exploring-old-time-fiddle-traditions-gaspe-coast-part-1 Its a two part article, the link to part 2 is at the bottom of the first page. Gaspesian Heritage is a division of the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network, a great group working to preserve the culture and traditions of English-speaking Quebeckers in Rural communities. They have a great site woth browsing through. Lots of great photos of this beautiful part of the world.

Discount Room Rate Extended for DC Bluegrass Fest Feb. 24/25

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:32:40 CST

Hi All. The $89 discount room rate has been extended for the DC Bluegrass Festival. The Boxcars, Sierra Hull, Eddie & Martha Adcock w/Tom Gray. Many more! www.dcbluegrassfest.org

Hotel reservation: 301-345-6700, mention code BLU for discount.

Lots of jamming! Workshops! The works!

Randy

Know any fiddlers in Iceland?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:57:00 CST

I'll be in Reykjavik in August, and am looking to meet / jam with / hear some Icelandic fiddlers. Does anyone have any fiddling contacts there?

Mig langar að hitta fiðla leikmenn!

Thanks,

Dave

What tune is firmly stuck in your head today?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:43:32 CST

So what tune is firmly stuck TIGHT in your head today? The kind where you just keep hearing it in your head, then you have to go play it since it won't leave, then you hear it some more, then you hum it, then you go play it again....

Today mine is Tom and Jerry. :)

Don't let the roots of Portland Collection die out

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:05:40 CST

If you've gone to Contra Dance you've probably heard tunes that were learned from the Portland Collection. If you've been playing fiddle music for while you've probably learned a tune that was derived from the portland collection. Yet the Hall they dance in is under pressure to close. This a message my wife received asking for help.

Eleanor Alice Benecki

3:29pm Jan 19

Thank you, Ken! We're a sister dance community in Portland, Oregon- hope to dance with you, hope you can dance with us- but we need help from the contra community everywhere if we are to keep our contra dance alive in Portland.

CONTRA DANCING THREATENED IN PORTLAND OREGON!
an appeal to sister dance communities across the continent-

Fulton Park Hall in Portland, Oregon is home to The Portland Collection, the vast compendium of contra sheet music dancers hear every week across the country and an epicenter of contra in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. We've been dancing there continuously for 30 years or more- and now our beloved hall and the continuity of our dance community is threatened by one city commissioner's thought to close it. The hall is in perfect shape, great floor, no structural problems- he simply wants to mothball it to save paying the part-time staff wages needed to keep it open.

Fulton also serves families and special-needs children's programs, such as children with autistic disorder. Closing Fulton to save wages of part-time staff is a terrible idea.

We are hoping that our city Commissioner will rethink his idea- especially if he realizes that the importance of our beloved hall extends beyond Portland. Musicians, callers and dancers from across the across the US come to Fulton, and the Portland Collection is played from every time a band sets up for a contra. Sue Songer, author of The Portland Collection has a list of 70 other halls here in Portland- none of which work for contra- we have nowhere else to go.

Please take a moment- help a sister dance community- and email Commissioner Nick Fish, mayor Sam Adams and let them know that this short-sighted idea would have an effect that spreads far beyond Portland- that people know Fulton, are watching their actions, and care.

Please post this to your own Facebook pages, to friends in other contra communities (CDSS?) and email as often as you can- the decision to close Fulton comes up January 30. There is not much time.

-eleanor alice benecki

CONTACT INFO: (The newspaper letters may be as important as contacting the commissioner and the mayor...)

Commissioner Nick Fish- commissioner who proposes to close Fulton
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 240
Portland, Oregon 97204
503-823-3589
nick@portlandoregon.gov

Mayor Sam Adams
1221 SW 4th Ave, Room 340
Portland, OR 97204
503-823-4120
sam.adams@portlandoregon.gov

and our local newspaper, the Oregonian is going to run a feature on saving Fulton this Saturday- even a short email supporting saving our hall will help so much!

Oregonian

GUIDELINES FOR "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR"
We invite your letters to the editor. Send them to:
Letters to the editor, The Oregonian1320 S.W. BroadwayPortland, Or., 97201
Or e-mail to: letters@oregonian.com
They may also be faxed to (503) 294-4193.
Please limit letters to 150 words. Please include your full address and daytime phone number, for verification only. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Thank you so, so much!!!!

For updates and background information please see our site:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/248550138549063/

Save Fulton Park Community Center & Preschool

A group for Fulton Park Community Center users and community members to come together at to save Ful...

Are efficient are you when you play?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:43:45 CST

Check out these two videos. The first is Mr Zepp, I believe, playing the banjo..I am impressed with the efficiency of motion in his right hand. The second is Kevin Burke playing the fiddle. Watch how efficient he is with his right hand.. These guys really impress me. It looks like they aren't doing anything, yet everything gets done!.. LEE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB67_-Hd2lY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oKyL0VAkDw&feature=player_embedded#!

a real treat

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:29:34 CST

Last night was the 2nd night of our 2012 Anchorage Folk Festival. The guest artist was the Hanneke Cassel Trio (Hanneke Cassel, Ariel Friedman, Keith Murphy). If you have never heard of her, and you like Scottish and Celtic fiddling, you owe it to yourself to check her out. And if you know of her and haven't seen her live, don't miss the oppurtunity if you have it.

Perhaps a little less that tradational, but none-the-less tremendoulsy talented. Shea has a very dynamic and powerful style of playing that will grab a hold and won't let go - til she is done. Her whole body is as much a part of the music she is playing as the fiddle in her hands. Good thing? She's back again for another performance tomorrow night.

http://www.hannekecassel.com/music.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYAscSfoafA

I was amazed that after an hour of playing that way - she only broke on bow hair. And that was on the last tune. How did she do that?

Our band had our 15 minutes of fame earlier in the evening!

Strings

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:19:05 CST

I am thinking about getting some new strings for my fiddle. I was wondering, is there any type of strings that are more sought after for Country/bluegrass playing? I bought my strings from the shop that repaired my fiddle and they are a classical shop. So is there a difference in strings for classical vs bluegrass? Thanks.

Where's YOUR Wood Shed When You Wood Shed?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:02:22 CST

While I DO actually heat with wood all winter, I don't have a wood shed. When I'm working out a tune MY wood shed has mostly been sitting at the dining room table. sometimes the bathroom (when I want that BIG sound). Once I have it worked out, my wife will grab her guitar and we'll see where the music takes us. Summertime my wood shed is sitting under a pine tree (not quite the big sound of the bathroom, but very, very mellowing.

Where's YOUR wood shed?

"big" named fiddler in concert

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:12:20 CST

Did you hear about my buddy, who went to see a 'big' named fiddler in concert? He spent a lot of money on a ticket, camped out to get into the venue early, paid a fortune for food at the venue and had to wait through several 'opening' bands? Finally, the guest star appeared and said, " Thanks for coming. I'd like to start with a tune that goes a little somethin' like this"....My buddy jumped up and yelled as loud as he could, "Hey! I have a lot invested in your performance and I don't want to hear "a LITTLE SOMETHIN' LIKE THIS... For what I paid, I want to hear EXACTLY how that tune goes.!!!!

another 8th of January

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:16:30 CST

When Peggy posted her version of 8th of January - I thought I would post a recording of 8th of January that I learned from Bruce Molsky (Lost Boys). I really like his version. I can play it, but I can't help comparing his playing to mine when I listen to the playback - and well, do I really need to say any more? oh well.... I'm not being fair to myself.

Anyway, the reason for writing is that - I'm not altogether sure this recording is the properly titled as 8th of January. Well, that's the title of the track on the album. But it is so radically different from the original (traditional) version, it has me wondering. What is the story behind that? Does anyone know? Is it just his radical arrangement or reinterpretation? Do you hear the traditional version in there somewhere?

To add to the confusion - if you go to amazon and listen to the preview of the track under the title - it is not the same. You have to listen to Fox Hunt.

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Boy-Bruce-Molsky/dp/B0000002NY/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1326823763&sr=1-2

Don't get me wrong - I really like his version of the tune! I'm just wondering, is it really 8th of January? Or do you recognize it as something else?

like button

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:50:37 CST

dont know how long we have had it but I like it!!!

kathy c in ky

Stolling violinist songs???

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:00:46 CST

Help, I'm in over my head here. I just agreed to be a strolling violinist at a St. Valentine's day meal our church is sponsoring. Somehow I'm thinking Cotton Eyed Joe is not what they have in mind. I'm hoping any of the Jay Ungar waltzes(Ashokan, Lover's Waltz, Old Madiera Waltz, Mountian House) are good, what else???? I'd like to have some things that aren't in 3/4 time too. Any suggestions for slow easy appropriate tunes would be greatly appreciated, greatly!!

Pub sessions for a middling fiddler

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:20:38 CST

Over the last few years I haven't had as much fun at pub sessions as I used to. One of the biggest issues for me is that sessions either aren't challenging enough or are far to focused on obscure oddities that I don't find very interesting. There's a boatload of other little annoyances and throwing alcohol on top of it all is the cherry on top that makes me hide in my livingroom.

I've become so much more happier with house sessions or 'closed pub sessions' even though some of those have really esoteric tunes.

When I was new & starry-eyed I didn't notice or care, but it's really driving me away from 'open pub sessions' Is this a normal thing that other players have gone through?

I know someone's going to tell me to start my own session. I have, I do regular house sessions & other things - but I'm more interested in if it's normal for peoples interest to waffle in playing with others in an open jam setting.

Teaching Kids

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:36:50 CST

I am considering offering fiddle lessons to children of a few of my friends, and I realize that there has been much discussion here on this topic. However in searching for teaching material, I'm having quite a bit of difficulty. I ran across a site that I think may be what I am looking for but now I can't find it. It featured many simple 'kid-like' drawings and games. Is anyone familiar with this site?