Tolle's Celtic / Bluegrass Fiddle Archives

(and a few scattered comments about learning the Fiddle.)

Fellow Fiddlers and Music Affeccionados:

    This page contains my growing archive of Celtic and Bluegrass Fiddle Tunes, Sheet Music, and Midi and Cakewalk files.  I've also shared my lessons learned in the fine art of fiddling, with a computer as a training aid.  You're never too old to jump in and start learning and enjoying the instrument of your choice.  I am 38 years old, and an utter beginner, so you child prodigies and Suzuki Method veterans and Mark O'Connor groupies bear with me!

    My self-imposed methodology is as follows:

    1.  I  transcribe sheet music to Cakewalk Guitar Studio Version 2 (any recent version of Cakewalk will do), in the proper meter and key, then play the music back through a quality Soundblaster Live! card, using a violin/fiddle midi patch.  The sound quality is good enough for government work.  :-) 

    2.  I play the music very slowly, seeking precision before speed, and repeat the tune until it is smooth.  Then I increase the tempo.

    3.  Other materials at my disposal are videos, CDs, and books.  The best video/pamphlet combinations include Craig Duncan's "Anyone Can Play the Fiddle" (Mel Bay), Kevin Burke's "Learn to Play Irish Fiddle" (2 tapes), and Bluegrass Backup Trax from Mel Bay.   (This one contains a CD which includes a slow rendition as well as a an up-to-speed rendition.  Great for practice!)

    There it is.. I've learned that consistency, discipline, and focus are invaluable in learning the fiddle (well, anything for that matter...)  Now, on to the good stuff!

SELF-INSTRUCTION RESOURCES

(I've just started this page, so below is an outline of what I will be adding in the weeks to come.)

Cakewalk Files

Midi Files

Sheet Music

My Heroic Attempts at the Following Tunes (Recorded in MP3 format--download MusicMatch Jukebox!)