Fiddle and Violin Again

I just can't beat this topic to death, can I?

I can't stop spreading my beliefs around the net. Now it's Yahoo that gets the update.

Here is a slightly revised definition of the question, "What's the difference between violin and fiddle?"

It's no last word. I keep thinking of my recent speculation on where pop violin fits into the picture. So many players want to call it fiddling.

Okay, it's the violinists that want to call it fiddling. Well, they get a vote, too. They have some expertise in the subject from a violinists point of view.

Viola Fiddling

A few months ago, it seems more recent, someone wrote me about fiddling on the viola.

I've done that. It's not as easy as fiddling on the violin. The bigger instrument takes more enerfy and strength to keep up with speedy players.

If you play viola, you might consider playing fiddle tunes on the violin, like Kathy Aagard, the Asst. Principal Viola of the Florida Orchestra.

My thought is that the viola could be a great jazz ax. Like the baritone sax. A unique voice and its own reason for playing jazz.

Until that happens, you might check out my info on Viola Fiddling. 

Indian Point, a Magnetic Fiddle Tune

This tune, Indian Point, is a jig written by Rick Mohr. I have posted a few comments about a blog post on Fiddle Hangout.

If you end up following a link to my 100 Fiddle Tunes blog, you will have the chance to hear the tune in A-432.

If you are in the Tampa Bay area, I have concerts coming up on the 7th, 9th of November. Also, I'll be playing with the Crystal Beach String Band at the Rattlesnake Festival on the 16th.

I hope to write more about this in my email from the grassapelli blog.

A-432 Search Leads to the Crystal Beach String Band

Jim Rhodes, the reluctant leader of the Crystal Beach String Band, told us how he got an order for our new CD in the mail. Apparently, our new fn found us through searching on the term A-432.

I don't believe there is anything on the band's web site about A-432. (I just looked.) The fan found the site address from another site, presumably. I make no assumption it was this one, though it may have been. (I've written about the band and linked from the post to the band web site.

From the activity of our new fan, I am leaping to a conclusion that A-432 is a stronger idea than many people think.

Those who are pursuing information and sounds in this tuning will go an extra mile or so to get what they want.

I also believe the band should put up at least a page about our tuning and why we use it. All in favor say Aye--(in 432!). 

Knilling Perfection Pegs to the Rescue

I may not have written much about the Bradivarius pick up I'm using on my fiddle. I am an advocate. It has given me a good reliable sound every time in every place I play.

The thing is, I'm no longer using one violin for A-432 and another for A-440. I had to retune my gig violin repeatedly.

Before this, I was using a Yamaha Sax microphone. I could switch it from one violin to another easily. But, it was a finicky device. Outside the gain sweet spot, it was too quiet, or howled with feed back.

To solve the tuning problem I got Knilling Perfection Pegs. Note: the web site is Flash driven.

They have worked out very well. I can easily tune up to 440 or down to 432 when I wish. It takes only seconds and is effortless.

I got my pegs on eBay for about $70. Then, I had a local luthier put them in my fiddle for another $35. Truly, one of the better investments I've made in my fiddle.

432, 440 or Fight

There was a slogan in the 19th century that encouraged the territorial expansion of America to the north west. 54--40 or Fight. (As I remember my high school history.)

Lately I have been switching back and forth between my 432 fiddle and my 440 violin, that it is just not a problem. I still like playing in 432 a little better.

I'm especially grateful that the Crystal Beach String Band is playing in A-432. It's our most unusual quality, I think. Besides just being a rather large string band, with six musicians.

The album is called The Cost. It's almost ready. By next week we should be making announcements.

East Tennessee Blues Texas Crapshooter and Beaumont Rag

The Crystal Beach String Band has almost completed the album. It represents the combined efforts of six musicians, and especially Jim Rhodes. Jim produced the album, spending long hours in the studio.

The results sound good. I've produced several albums myself, but none as large a project as this.

You can find one of the tracks on Fiddle Hangout. It's a medley of rags listed in the title of today's post.

 

100 Fiddle Tunes Announcement

My project of 100 Fiddle Tunes deserves its own site, so now it has one.

The current tune is Ebeneezer. I use that tune to teach Georgia bow.
It has a repeating figure that adapts well to the Georgia shuffle.
This makes a tough thing to master just a little easier.

100

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Fiddle Blog Update

Over the past months, I've been reorganizing my fiddle publishing online.
First I started a blog on Publishing 100 Fiddle Tunes online in a year's time.

I've used the opportunity to publish revisions of some of the tunes in my book,
43 Fiddle Tunes in Tab. I like the way it's working out to the benefit of many.

Second, I've begun repurposing earlier writing in a new blog,
Fiddle & Violin. Many earlier articles are being reconsidered and rewritten
in smaller segments with fewer points.

This is another example of the fractalization of information that
characterizes the web.

Video Blogging in A-432

Lately my focus has been to get going with a new concept: 100 Fiddle Tunes published online in one year's time.

I got the idea from the movie, Julie & Julia. My full account of how this happened is on my online biz hobby blog at Julie & Julia Demo Blog Success.

Pursuing this project takes me to video land. The latest is Ten Penny Bit.

Ten Penny Bit Rhythm Trick from Elan Chalford on Vimeo.