Reese's Pieces

March 30, 2008 at 2:50 AM

I had an interesting experience today. I normally think of the terms violin and fiddle as being synonomous. Today I was visiting the person who does work on my violin when necessary, and as I was playing one of the violins he especially likes, made sometime in the late 1800's I believe, I was trying to play a Paganini piece, and was having a tough time not hitting other strings in my bowing strokes. After this happened a few times, I just made a few ajustments and was okay but wondered what the problem was. After I finished the piece, I was talking to the fellow who let me play it, and he pointed out that he had cut the bridge for fiddle type playing. He showed me that it was cut more flat on top then the standard violin bridge so that chords could be played easier for fiddle type music. He then played Ashokan Farewell for me "fiddle style," and what a marked difference from the way I've always played it, basically as it appears on the sheet music and in conjunction with my having heard it on the "The Civil War" series by Ken Burns. I must admit, fiddle type music and fiddle style playing really aren't my cup of tea, but they are fun and enjoyable to listen to on occasion.

From Kim Vawter
Posted on March 31, 2008 at 4:34 AM

Interesting observation. I attended a couple of fiddle sessions with a group who gathered on a regular basis-weekly. The common thread was that they were relaxed and seemed to be able to sail through their pieces in a carefree style. I am still fascinated by folks who can "just pick up a fiddle" and play without formal instruction.

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Reese's Pieces

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