2010 January : Flog (Fiddle Blog)

Fiddle 3 (Mon) – week 3

Now for the key of A, Old Mother Flanagan

A singular recording of the tune was made in 1972 by the Fuzzy Mountain String Band. Note how the B-part was split into two separate shorter parts. (The Fuzzy Mt. albums might still be available on CD from Rounder Records

Old Mother Flanagan

slow

medium

faster

Filed under: Fiddle 3,Paul Tyler by Paul | January 20, 2010 | Comments (2)

Fiddle 4 Cajun (Tue) – week 2

A great two-step in A, ‘Tit Galop pour Mamou.

Once again, the classic recording is from the Balfa Brothers.
The recording is available through Floyd’s Record Shop.
(See the post from Week 1)
Dewey Balfa fiddle break with the Balfa Brothers

Here’s another fiddle break. This one is twin fiddling from
Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys

This is the title track of an early Rounder CD by the band

These are the tune played on a fiddle tuned down one step.
The B-part (the “turn”) is played as I taught it in week 3.

slow

medium

Here I played the tune on a fiddle in standard tuning
medium/standard tuning

Filed under: Fiddle 4,Paul Tyler by Paul | January 20, 2010 | Comments (0)

Fiddle 2 (Tue) – week 2

Cindy, in the key of A

by the Volo Bogtrotters = 4 fiddles and 1 harmonica

Cindy demonstrated

slow

medium

faster

This version has a few more notes than the skeleton of the tune we learned in class. Listen carefully a bunch of times, and I bet you can add some of those notes. They’re ones you already use.

Filed under: Fiddle 2,Paul Tyler by Paul | January 20, 2010 | Comments (0)

Old-Time Ensemble (Wed) – week 2

Lulu Likes ‘Em Young
Banjo master Ray Alden’s reworking of a the classic “Sleepin’ Lulu”
NB This recording not yet uploaded. Check back later.

kinda fast

Ray was also a tireless recorder and producer of old-time music. Part of his legacy is the Field Recorders Collective.

Thanks Ray

NB: An earlier problem with this post has been fixed.

Filed under: Old Time Ensemble,Paul Tyler by Paul | January 20, 2010 | Comments (0)

Fiddle 3 (Mon) – week 2

A tune in G, “Sandy River Belle”

This earliest recording, by Dad Blackards Moonshiners, is from 1927.

slowly

medium

Filed under: Fiddle 3,Paul Tyler by Paul | January 13, 2010 | Comments (0)

west fork gals

sorry for the delay in the posting. here’s west fork gals slow and fast, with some extra added babble about guitar chords at the end.

Filed under: Fiddle 3,Steve Rosen by Steve | January 12, 2010 | Comments (0)

Old Time Ensemble (Wed)- week 1

Boatin’ Up the Sandy
Fiddled by Craig Johnson with the Double Decker String Band

medium tempo

Thanks Craig

Hint: Click on the arrow to listen. Right click the highlight to save link to your computer.

Filed under: Old Time Ensemble,Paul Tyler by Paul | January 7, 2010 | Comments (0)

Fiddle 2 (Tue) – Week 1

Here’s the first fiddle tune I ever taught at the Old Town School, January 1990.

Buzzard’s Roost from Ken Smelser of Paoli, Indiana (1980)

slow

medium

fast

Hint: Click on the arrow to play. Right click the highlight to save link to your computer.

Filed under: Fiddle 2,Paul Tyler by Paul | January 7, 2010 | Comments (0)

Fiddle 4 Cajun (Tue) – week 1

Let’s start with a waltz

Chère Bassette from the CD Balfa Brothers – Play Traditional Cajun Music, Vol. 1 & 2
[The link above takes you to the CD at Floyd's Record Shop in Ville Platte, Louisiana]

Here are two fiddle breaks played by Dewey and Will Balfa (Bolfa)

And a slower and different version played by your teacher.

Remember these melodies are very fluid and variable.

Listen for the chord changes in the band. Can you hear or imagine them when listening to the solo melody or when you play it by yourself?

Filed under: Fiddle 4,Paul Tyler by Paul | January 6, 2010 | Comments (0)