Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 15:07:10 -0400
Subject: Fiddle vs. Violin

Greetings Carri,

I was curious, what is the major difference between learning fiddle and violin?

It's all in the approach and the choice of material. Learning violin is far more disciplinary; learning fiddle is less restrictive in form and technique. Violin has a well-established outline for the learning process...it's also very critical to learn correct form and position. The bowing technique on violin is far more rigid...the fingerboard hand is well defined and also has set parameters. For instance, you never hear a slide technique within a violin context. On fiddle, sliding up, or down, to a melody note is very common. Additionally, there is no set standard for holding the neck or bow as there is on violin. I believe that a well-versed fiddler can tap into violin technique to a large advantage. By learning proper violin form and technique, the fiddler will only advance themselves to a level that will ensure no impediments from bad habits.

I'm just now starting to learn and was very excited about
finding your Web site. But I'm not sure if I need to go with the fiddle
lessons or the violin lessons, or if there is even a major difference
other than musical taste. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

On our lessons section, I teach fiddling through violin technique and violin in its traditional form. The main difference between these two approaches to learning, as divided up on our website, would be that the melodies and exercises are designated as fiddle or violin. Classical pieces would be listed in our violin lessons section; traditional fiddle tunes, or Celtic tunes, are written out for our fiddle section.

Hope this helps, Mickey


Thank you,
Carri Walker