Asking for a list of challenging but fun fiddle songs

December 13, 2025, 10:04 AM · What are some hard fiddle songs that you know? I am curious about what the hard fiddle songs are. I'm currently trying to work through Whistler's Waltz. I'm interested in challenging pieces that still have some a lot of musical value to them. If the song is out of copyright and can be performed, it's even better for me, but I would be interested even in songs that are still copyright protected.

Replies (5)

Don Noon

December 13, 2025, 10:21 AM · It would be useful to narrow down the genre of "fiddle" that you're looking for. Whistler's Waltz I haven't heard before, but it sounds like a complex contest-style or Texas fiddling type like in the early Mark O'Connor recordings.

Nickie McNichols

December 13, 2025, 2:05 PM · I’d say Old Joe Clark, New Five Cent Piece, Angelina Baker, Soldiers Joy, Rakes of Mallow, Arkansas Traveler. Those are the ones I started with. They should get you going.

Richard Pairaudeau

December 13, 2025, 2:40 PM · I'm going to try some of Nickie's suggestions. I bet there are some beauties in her list! I'm fond of 'Jerusalem Ridge' myself, and there are many great things by O'Carolan.

Larry Samuels

December 13, 2025, 5:33 PM · I'm not sure if this is the level you're looking for, but Augustin Hadelich has written out some arrangements of "Orange Blossom Special" and "Wild Fiddler's Rag", and made them available at his website (under "Scores"):

https://augustinhadelich.com/en/scores

You can hear him play these pieces on youTube. Even if you don't play all of his arrangement, there might be some ideas or portion you can use.

Henry Butcher

December 13, 2025, 6:27 PM ·
There's a great version of 'The Devils Dream', it has 6 variations. Check it out here, (version no.5)...https://thesession.org/tunes/259

Asking for a list of challenging but fun fiddle songs

Replies (5)

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