I’ll never forget my earliest days of playing. It began when I found my grandmother’s ancient violin stored away under a dresser in a tattered case, and after prying open the rusted clasps, I was overwhelmed by joy and the smell of mothballs. Within the week, after a trip to the violin shop for an appraisal and a good cleaning, I was squeaking and sawing away on the polished heirloom. That summer, I began lessons. While I loved the instrument for its boldness and beauty, I was less than motivated to play the beginner’s tunes Hot Cross Buns and Ode to Joy. Soon, I discovered The New Mexico Fiddle Kids – a local group of young musicians learning and performing Bluegrass and Old Time fiddle music from the seasoned professional, Marilyn Luft. That’s when my love for the violin transformed into my obsession for fiddle music.
Just as it was for me, many people are unaware of the rich spectrum of tone, style, technique, and tradition that make this instrument the marvel that it is. It’s important to first understand that violin and fiddle are the exact same instrument, and it entirely depends on the musician’s expression and repertoire that defines what it might be called. Here I would like to briefly explain a bit more about the two most common styles of playing here in America: Violin and Fiddle.
Violin
Paganini, Beethoven, Bach, Vivaldi, Mendelssohn. These are the just some of the Greats who set the standard for violinists all over the world beginning in the mid-18th century. Classical music is rooted in the vision and theory laid out by these men, and their works are faithfully studied and performed to this day. Even as contemporary composers write and direct, it is with strict adherence of the written notes and dynamics that a violinist will perform. Always attempting to interpret the piece as the composer intended, perform with clarity and crisp tonality, and apply expressive dynamics as written are in most cases what a violinist will strive for. For beginning students, attention to good posture, proper form, note reading, and intonation are highlights of daily practice.
Fiddle
Arguably, the key that sets fiddle apart is oral tradition. Where classical violinists rely on reading music, fiddlers hear it and teach it by demonstration. In the same way stories are passed down through generations, so are fiddle tunes; therefore, there are new interpretations of these tunes with each retelling and such expression is highly encouraged. It is the fiddler’s prerogative to not only learn tunes as they’ve been taught for generations, but then to change it and recreate it in their own light. Of course, this tradition dates back at least as far as Irish music can reach, and Bluegrass music only made its debut in the 1940s. As such, fiddle music encompasses many cultures and genres and it is still evolving. Beginning students will most often focus on aural skills, bowing, and playing with others.
All This to Say…
…if you’ve taken up the violin, be it in the past decade or the past week, don’t hesitate to explore the many possibilities it has to offer! Many musicians from both traditions have studied and married the two to create wonderful music, challenge their technique, and engage with the world around them.
Next Steps
Listen to one of my favorite fiddle music playlists to get inspiration
I’d love to help you learn to love to play fiddle as much as I do! Here’s my violin teacher page to learn more and contact me!