Fiddle Hangout Forum Feed

Bass Update - Pure Joy!

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:42:55 CST

I've never played an instrument with such an abstract, non-standard approach to playing what seems to be pretty straightforward, when it comes to Country, and Bluegrass. Use your thumb. Use a pick. Use your fingers. "We don't care! Just be there on the beat." Sure, you can watch videos until you're blind. Well, if one has no other musical experience, one could be forever mystified. I'm convinced people would rather sell fish than teacher fishing. Savvy?
So I cover two strings with one finger. The root & fifth, typically. I don't have particularly big fingers but I'm used to barring. Light strings make this a joy. A year ago, I tried to make a primer for a friend. Showing him the root/fifth and the 1-4-5 of all the major keys. I had no idea I was doing it for myself. I'm sort of getting the minor ii, and minor vi in standard locations as well. I'm not selling this approach. Don't worry. And I understand why there are so many approachs. Partly because there are variations in chord voicing. This is where the fiddle double stop knowledge comes in. Three voicings for each chord, multiplied by the fact one can only play two of the notes. Decisions on the fly are often late. I could talk about rhythm timing and beat. Fiddlers seem to boss the beat around. Where the bass follows the whole band if there's no drums. When that note comes down in the right spot you can hear it. When it comes in the wrong spot, you can hear it. We had a bass player that was always smiling. Now, I know why.

Bass Update - new Toy!

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:15:14 CST

I started with a Musicians friend, Rogue bass. I learned about trussrods from that one. The tuning machines always rattled. So I tied a strip of rag around each tuner and knotted it in the middle. Didn't rattle. $80.
Now don't get ahead of me. I was reading reviews. The $60 Glarry P-style bass was getting good reviews for like six years. I ordered one. Tobacco sunburst, to match my Stratocaster ($130 but I digress) It came. I went through all the setup specs. Trussrod, stringheight, intonation, pickup height. I could've gone straight to the gig! I did spring for a set of light bass strings. Then I had to tweak the trussrod an eighth of a turn. To the jam I went! More later!

phantom power

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:22:55 CST

We have a 4 channel speaker sys but need a total of 8. A Phantom power sys will be needed in the future. Question is, can we buy a 6 channel w/Phantom and plug it into 1 port of our 4 ch. set-up? Or better to just get an 8 w/ phantom.
Any suggestions on brands? W currently use the sys maybe a half dozen time a year.

So bad it’s good (?) after a few beers.

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:08:02 CST

I don’t know if you’re familiar with the term “soundies”. These are musical clips from low budget movies and short subjects from the 30s and 40s.
So, if you want to get a feel of Hollywood considered country music back then… pop the cork out of the jug, pass it around, and enjoy. ( P.S. I apologize in advance. )

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zn2NdO3z1s&list=PLkY8-UOMZQ0-VLIYTi97MG4Rx1jsP29bk&pp=iAQB8AUB&ra=m

The Frost Is All Over

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:09:01 CST

Kitty Lye Over ...Etc

1. What would you do if the kettle boiled over?
What would I do? Only fill it again.
And what would you do if the cow ate the clover?
What would I do only set it again.
2. The praties are dug and the frost is all over
Kitty lie over close to the wall.
How would you like to be married to a soldier?
Kitty lie over close to the wall.
3. The praties all boil and the herring's a roasting
Kitty lie over close to the wall.
You to be drunk and me to be sober
Kitty lie over close to the wall.
4. What would you do if you married a soldier
what would you do would you follow his gun?
And what would you do if he drowned in the ocean
what would you do would you marry again?

Obscure Cajun or Zydeco title: Yuleida?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 06:28:55 CST

Pronunciation: Yoo-lie-dah.
The fellow passed away and was the only scourse of the tune I knew.
I think it's because of spelling. Searched YouTube. But different spellings didn't yield.
Any help appreciated. Thank you!

Mid June 2026

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:42:38 CST

My latest version of Joli Blon and a rock riff to play my new cheap bass. $60! No doubt I would gig with thing. It's amazing.
youtube.com/shorts/L_WEO2s2v14...iPGRZs4aJ

youtube.com/shorts/z8Daj97zz-U...q20tN91z8

Old German Violin Labeled Reinhold Geipel, 1897

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:27:54 CST

This is an old German violin newly set up. It’s in great shape and shows very minimal wear even though it’s seen some use. It’s always a treat to find a violin that’s lasted over a century in great shape, especially if it’s been played.

It has a crisp and bright tone that packs a punch. You could warm it up a little more with a set of Dominants and a different soundpost position, but it’s nice to have the potential to carry easily at your command.

Here is the listing:
fiddlehangout.com/classified/13174

Hiroshi Kono Violin, 2019

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:03:26 CST

This is a Kono violin, made in 2019 and newly set up professionally. The Kono name is beloved among teachers and players throughout the country and even further. They’re often affectionately referred to as “fiddle killers” for their consistent ability to punch well above their weight. They’re nimble and light in the hand but have astonishing power.

I’ve worked on at least hundreds of them (maybe even thousands at this point!) and am always impressed by their consistency. It’s no accident that they’re like that—every one is carefully graduated and given a good bass bar to ensure good tonal character. And they’re all varnished by hand with a good quality varnish that doesn’t choke out the sound as is the case with many commercial instruments.

Here is the listing:
fiddlehangout.com/classified/13173

Shiela coyles

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:00:34 CST

Erm... A reel called Sheila Coyles...? Recorded on a crap phone ... Long live the sound off... lol

Tablet for music pdfs?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:45:41 CST

Hi All,

Been a while since I have posted anything on FHO. Life has been busy, but also good.

I am considering moving from my paper/printed music library to a digital (pdf/jpeg) library mostly to minimize what I end up toting around.

My question is what tablets are folks using to store your sheet music/transcriptions? What considerations should I take into account? What app(s) should be obtained? Are there any tablets that I should avoid? I would prefer Android, but Apple as a last resort.

I know iPad Pro is the benchmark standard, but I really don't want to spend that much, and I am really not a fan of Apple products. The Samsung Galaxy S10 or S11 is the Android standard, but again, I really don't want to spend that much.

Thanks for your collective wisdom.

Kirk

Country Gongbang performs Golden at Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:32:07 CST

A very talented group of individuals does exactly what the older generation so craves… brings the new generation to Bluegrass music.

A little challenge

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:24:21 CST

Here is what happened.. I'd been playing "Liberty off the Corn Liquor Still" for a zillion years.. I think I play it well and have a lot of fun with slight variations.. I played it at last nights jam and Terry, who prides herself in playing Original Source versions of tunes said, "I'm gonna have to learn that tune."...GULP..She will be learning right off of the Skilletlickers recording.. .While I have no shame in how I play the tune is DO think I may have strayed from the Gid Tanner version ...a little..
I felt challenged to track down original transcriptions..(several available..all a little different) and picked the one that I thought was close. (PS..my hearing keeps me from learning from recordings.. that is my excuse, anyway).. I found that there were two phrases that I'd drifted away from probably too much.. I worked on them, made corrections and am ready for Terry to choose the tune sometime in the future...
The thought of not being able to play along with an original version was my inspiration, challenge... Sure, when I busk, there are no rules and I'll do what I want, but in a jam it is best to try to play pretty close to how others play..

New Fiddle Day (NFD)!

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:37:17 CST

Playing off the Mandolin Cafe's NMD (new mandolin day) topic, I need to talk about my new fiddle. Actually, more about the guy I bought it from.

I bought the Gene Ivey fiddle that was advertised in the FHO Classifieds last week. Mr. Ivey was a regionally well-known fiddler and luthier from Sand Mountain in NE Alabama. I bought it mostly for its provenance (I'm originally from N. AL) and gorgeous woods, but it plays great and sounds pretty good as well. The seller, William Sansbury, lives in the Seattle area and was an absolute pleasure to deal with. He was extremely frank and honest about the instrument and *after* the price was settled upon, did some setup work and fitted new strings of my choice!

Mr. Sansbury posts fiddles here now and then, so if you're shopping the FHO Classifieds, take this as an enthusiastic endorsement of his status as a good seller.

Allergies: Quick Report

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:49:14 CST

My allergies have become so bad that I have had to switch to Clarity, which supposedly is 100% synthetic and contains no pine rosin.

FWIW, my observations:

- Clarity does indeed reduce my allergy symptoms.
- Clarity requires a bit more weight on the bow to properly grip the strings.
- Clarity doesn’t last as long as other rosins that I have used -- it needs to be refreshed more often.

I took me a while to get used to the Clarity “rosin". But all in all, I’m happy with the switch -- mainly because I can play with less interference from allergy symptoms.

Third Place - Berks Scottish Fiddle Playing Contest 2024

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 21:09:04 CST

Adelaide Gustavson wins third place in Berks Scottish Fiddle Playing Contest

Ode to Highwoods

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:11:18 CST

With a recent discussion on the origins of various styles I was thinking about a sub-style of old time I enjoy. I've gradually become a big fan of some of the younger old time groups like Foghorn String band, The Onlies, Bigfoot, Uncle Earl... It occurred to me recently that Doug and his band the Highwoods are the beginning of this. I know there's New Lost City Ramblers and others, but the young energy of the Highwoods String Band seems to me the birth of this modern era.

Maybe everybody already knows that. I was thinking back to the early 70s when I first heard them, and how new it seemed then. There's maybe been a lag between them and what's happening now, but still a direct connection. My girlfriend and I loved the tunes and used to sing Hop Along Peter after learning it from a cassette we made from local public radio station KRAB in Seattle.

Gosh, I didn't know anyone noticed...

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:03:17 CST

I've been informing various people that I'm no longer attending the Indiana Fiddlers Gathering or the CLifftop event..
Of course there are those who I will miss.. As for the Indiana Fiddlers Gathering, I was texting with Cliff Harrison (kin to Garry Harrison).. I mentioned that after having attended 40 times!! that I wouldn't be attending again.. What surprised me was his response.. He said that my 'welcoming' jams would be missed... I paused when I read that...I always had open jams in which even the most rank beginner could join..I was that welcoming because when I was a beginner I never felt welcome in jams... When I could finally 'fiddle' I changed that... I wasn't expecting to hear that my jams were noticed by a lot of people....Such is life.. Just when you think nobody was watching...some people were!!! That made my heart grow two sizes...I'd developed a reputation that I didn't even know I had!!

Fire On the Mountain, Run Boys Run

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:57:07 CST

I was lazing around yesterday morning and this piece came on in the NPR program "1A," which I usually don't pay too much attention to. It was about the Charlie Daniels recording "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," which was just included in the recording registry at the LOC. When they described the fiddle tune titles mentioned in the song something sounded familiar, and sure enough it was very brief quote from our recording of "Fire On the Mountain," made in my backyard in 1972.
the1a.org/segments/
Our little part is about midway in, but the whole piece is interesting.
As C. Berry once said "It goes to show you never can tell!"

Dyslexia and reading music

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:37:49 CST

So, what does someone with Dyslexia see when reading music?
I have a student who has it and she writes in the letter name under the note.
I'm assuming this is her adapting to her condition. Any suggestions on how I can help her?

Medicine Fiddle

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:31:17 CST

Got this fiddle from a friend who got it from a dealer who said they originally got it from the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota. Hoping to return it to where it came from but it has no paperwork with it and no proof of origin. Wondering if anyone out there might have some info on it. It has beautiful coral and bead inlay and an amazing bear effigy headstock. The coral was a popular trading currency from out west throughout the 1800s and early 1900s which makes me think this is probably the time frame in which it was built, but could be even older.

Full Set - Andrew Vogts and Maxwell Brown at Lyons Fiddle Festival

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 19:06:48 CST

Andrew and Maxwell take the stage and play a number of great tunes and fill the crowd in on some back stories and other wild stuff about the tunes they play, illustrating that Maxwell is well beyond his years and his teacher, Andrew, is great at what he does.

Bluegrass is part of the blues don't you think?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 05:20:27 CST

As much talk as I get to read on here about genres and cross genres, I'm curious where you think "Bluegrass" falls in a "Blues Festival"???

Yesterday, we played the Western Maryland Blues Festival. A HUGE festival that went on for years run by the city of Hagerstown MD. It ended in 2018 and was revived this past weekend! It was an honor.

Blues fans are protective about their genre for sure and we did overhear conversations about "Bluegrass??" and the promoter said, "just wait, you will love these guys" and boy, it was a good time! Sound company had no idea how to mix acoustic instruments but we pressed on through. I did say to the band, "at least we will stick out and be remembered and if you listen to bluegrass, we were singing about the blues...

Turkish Revelry

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 20:20:23 CST

Here’s one for you. I purchased the CD this comes from a decade or so ago. The double cd set contains some excellent songs and tunes, but the selections are a bit uneven in texture. Some, like this one, have a distinct folk flavor with others covering punk-rock sounds and even patchbay synth stuff. This piece is nicely sung and has some great fiddle as well. Enjoy.

youtu.be/Hdpe7WgEwX4

Mitch Miller Explains Berks Fiddle Playing Contest, Plays Some Tunes

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 15:17:04 CST

Mitch Miller, Hannah Violet, and Jansen Wendell take the stage at Berks Fiddle Fest for Mitch to explain the fiddle playing contest rules and for the trio to play some great old time tunes.

BOBBY BRUCE MUSIC

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 6 Jun 2026 09:47:28 CST

I'm trying to locate a recording of his, "Country Dance Waltz." Thanks

Homemade 1943 Fiddle

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 16:32:54 CST

Hey guys - so, my dad came of age around 1943 or so.
So, wartime, no dad, and poor, yet built a violin.
He lived on Whitetop, and worked with Albert Nash on his own violin, that became my orchestra instrument. I can remember visiting Albert's house when small.

So, 83 years later - it needs some touch-up, etc.
Allowing for lack of 'commercial' supplies, anyone have a good first guess what the finish may be? It is an light amber, blond finish, open neck and rosewood fingerboard and store bought trim (maybe late for my use).

Anyone?

Musical bridges

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 09:47:26 CST

On my drive to work this morning I was listening to the Leake County Revelers’ 1927 recording of “The Old Hat”, trying to decipher some of the more opaque lyrics. Before walking into the building, I sat down in a break area and talked with one of the housekeeping staff, a black woman of about 65-70 years of age. Without any prompting from me, the topic turned to family history lost to age and time. She told me about her grandmother singing “crazy songs” to her as a child and recited two verses from “The Old Hat” involving a raccoon and a ‘possum almost verbatim from the Revelers recording!

This probably shouldn’t be that surprising. They are somewhat floating lyrics and originated (?) in this area, but it was just so serendipitous and unexpected that it brought tears to my eyes thinking of the paths of history and cultures that led to two people of disparate races and economic status sitting in front of a Mississippi chicken plant in 2026 trading lines from a now-obscure 100+ year old song.

Kate Bush "Jig Of Life" Genius

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 14:55:07 CST

Almost makes me believe in Woo Woo...( well worth waiting for the fiddle tune) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntIlVNDpLW8

Player Zero…

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 09:56:42 CST

Yesterday at session, a fiddler friend who I had not seen for awhile played a jig she had just learned (Kitty Lie Over, which is also a song). I first learned that jig off an album, and when I played it at session, I was utterly alone and solo - nobody knew it- people kind of knew the song, but nobody “played” it. SInce then, the Kitty Lie Over jig has apparently come into local repertoire :-) and people are learning it! So I guess I was Player Zero … aka “Patient Zero”, in viral terms…

I once started a set of tunes I had heard around and learned, and the master flute player at session joined in…afterwards she said, “I like that set too! I got it off Mike Rafferty.” So I think I accidentally found Player Zero for that set! That was a fun discovery. :-D

I like how the tunes get passed around, almost like a virus…with some sleuthing/asking of the older players, you can usually find who first brought it to our area!

Bow creeping up string/down string

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:27:40 CST

I seem to have an issue, particularly when I've been playing for a while, where the bow creeps up the string. That is, on the up stroke the bow stays perpendicular to the string as it should, but it slides sideways on the string up a bit towards the fretboard. Then the downstroke, it slides sideways down towards the bridge. Any idea if it's me, my bow, rosin build up, gremlins??? Yeah, I should get back to my teacher. I'll get around to it but wanted to ask here in case it's a common problem people have with a know cause.

-K

Intonation

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 28 May 2026 21:14:19 CST

I have several fiddles that all have wonky intonation. I printed off a "fingerboard guide" for testing purposes only (I know those things aren't that accurate, I just wanted it as a reference for a straight line across the fingerboard), and tested intonation. You would think that the intonation on one string would be the same as the string beside it right? Like the line on the diagram would be either perfect between two strings, equally flat, or equally sharp, right?

Well, no such luck. The one fiddle I tested was basically this: The G, D, and A strings were relatively close to each other, but the E string was considerably flat from the rest.

I only tested one fiddle, but I know several of mine have similar issues.

I am very limited in my knowledge of fiddle setup (only thing I've ever done is cut new bridges to match the old ones). I am a banjo builder though. Anyone have any advice on how to chase down the issue?

Lethargy

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 12:12:01 CST

Come on guys i had to go back to last week to find a post!!

Gone to Bass

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 06:17:21 CST

The jam desperately needs a bass. I've been invited and encouraged. I really don't have anything more to prove on a fiddle.
Played bass for the whole session yesterday. I guess I'd rather be useful and yet always learning. Learning stuff one doesn't learn in any other situation. You have to be "in it." There's a lot of responsibility in that one(1) note.

Nope. There's no Bass Hangout

Martin Hayes on Slow vs Fast

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 13:04:02 CST

For those who don't know, Martin Hayes is one of the great, living Irish fiddlers, known for his 'slow' playing. Here are some of his thoughts on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-woPQ90mxzE

Tim O'Brien Songbook now available!

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 10:32:16 CST

HI all. The new Tim O'Brien Songbook is available. 40 songs spanning Tim's incredible career, including Nellie Kane, Midnight on the Highway, Walk the Way the Wind Blows. Book includes both notation and lyrics with chord changes. Also, Tim shares his knowledge in chapters on singing and songwriting. Please spread the word! You can find it HERE on Amazon.

How do y'all keep your tunes and tune data in order?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 08:46:51 CST

Curious how people here actually keep track of tunes these days.

Do you use spreadsheets? YouTube playlists? Phone recordings from jams? Notes apps? PDFs? Set lists? Something else?

I realized over the years I ended up with tunes scattered across all of those and started building something for myself to keep recordings, keys, tunings, references, versions, and shared repertoire attached to the actual tune instead of spread across apps.

But now I’m wondering if I’m solving a weird personal problem or if other people organize music this way too.

What’s your current system and what annoys you most about it?

Went to a Violin Store and ...

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 18 May 2026 08:43:46 CST

I'm a novice with a suitable student instrument. My teacher tried my violin and said don't upgrade until I can spend at least $1500. If I get better and can play more, eventually I'd like to upgrade. But, if and when I'm ready, I feel like I'm going to be very intimidated and will have no idea how to shop.

I recently went to the larger violin store in my area when I had few minutes and was driving by. I needed to buy another piece of rosin as my dog had knocked the one I off my desk and shattered it. The main floor was rather stark with a couple younger people at the register. I asked for some rosin and they recommended a $12 piece which I bought.

I was curious if I could learn what the process would be like if/when I want to upgrade. I'm used to plucked instrument stores where can pull (almost) anything off the rack and try it. Several times I've spent in hour in a store playing a dozen mandolins from $3,000-$10,000 and from what I understand, violin stores don't work that way. So how do you ever start learning what you'd even want if you can't dabble?

I did mention to one the young guys that my teacher said my next violin should be at least $1500 and I was curious how you go about picking the next level one out. He showed me a shelf of violins that were of better rental quality with outfits about $900 and also that I could rent to own. I don't think he understood was I said, I said I don't need a violin a tiny bit better than what I had. He did mention that the violins up to about $3000 were downstairs the above about $3000 were upstairs (or v.v.). But I needed to get back to work so I didn't window shop on those floors; not sure if it would have even been appropriate. Maybe if I had time and went to the $1500-3000 floor there would have been a guy who could describe the process and at least tell how making an appointment would work and what to expect. I don't know.

what is it ?

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 17 May 2026 21:27:11 CST

...it is the player ...learning how to play / use / handle the instruments (bow and fiddle) / tool they have in their hands, more than just learning the tunes.

BUT - the emphasis needs to be placed on - the player LEARNING how to use that particular instrument and that bow in their hands - to make it work - more than anything else. Every bow and fiddle is looking to be treated a certian way. One of our primary tasks is to learn what that is (imo),

Yes. I know some instruments are VSOs - but the proof of what I am saying is easy to recognize in the fiddlers we emulate and what they had to use. They learned how to make what they had - sing. They did not have access to what we have available.

So is the secret in getting a "better" instrument? ..or falling in love with what you have? ....and "learning to treat her right"?
Or would you say that the reason a person is noted for their fiddling is because of they had such an exceptional instrument to play?

...ought to be good for at least a 20+ response thread - I would think.

AI again.... Heres what its good at..

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:28:52 CST

Just spent a happy afternoon with AI and it came up with a tailor made fiddle scales program just for me! Edit: all the buttons work! going to try to make it play tomorrow. the physics button displays how it physically looks on the fiddle ie: positions getting smaller!

Performing Hangout fiddlers...on Facebook

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:25:13 CST

Performing Hangout fiddlers... Do you have a public/professional Facebook page for yerself or yer band?

I thought it might be fun to follow each other... get some interaction going...

My trio has a new page and if you follow it, we'll follow you back... Share yer links...

https://www.facebook.com/thegreenbriarband

Three note walk-up intro for bluegrass break

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 14 May 2026 07:54:31 CST

I often hear a breaks on fiddle in bluegrass tunes start with a walk-up three ascending notes, like - "Da Da Da Note". Where "Note" is the first note of the melody.

I would assume that works when the melody starts on a downbeat ("Note is on the downbeat), and the melody doesn't start with a pickup; so "Da Da Da" functions as a pickup. Sound right?

Curious if there a standard set of notes that are used? Does it vary based on the first "Note" of the melody, like if it's a the 1st of the Chord of the 5th of the chord?

Any tips on adding the three-note walk off to kick off a break based on melody?

Anyone have an example of a standard bluegrass tune where this works?

E String Issue

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Wed, 13 May 2026 05:36:52 CST

Sometimes, when doing an upstroke on the E string (doesn’t seem to happen on down stroke) there is no sound. For a second there is silence. I haven’t been able to pinpoint if it’s a certain section of the bow when this happens. Nor whether it’s a bow problem or a string problem. Any suggestions what might be causing this or how to zero in on the issue?
Thanks!
John

Something about a Bass

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:54:36 CST

I brought my $80 electric bass to the weekly jam. I have a little microcube I put under my chair. A bass is so welcome it's one of the few amplified instruments allowed at our jams. Our circle is about twelve feet at the longest. So a bass tightens up the rhythm, as we're all a bit hearing impaired. I played one fiddle tune, the bass was so well received.
So I'm back in learn mode. I know my 1, 4, 5 in all the common keys, but need to add the minor 3 and 6. It'll come in time. It's almost like work, but still fun.

I spose everyone here knows how to play bass but chooses not? Yes? No?

Leaning on a Wall

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 07:48:24 CST

I learned this tune from a recording by Dirk Powell ("Hand Me Down") - great tune. But I've been kind of reluctant to play it out - I've never heard anyone else play it, and so - I figured it was a tune composed by Dirk. He has written a few other nice tunes.

But now I'm learning that it is a traditional tune from Kentucky and West Virginia. But there is no other recording available in the public - that I have found. Apparently Bruce Greene used to play it and did teach it at one time - but no digitized recordings online.

Apparently, it only shows up in a few Eastern Kentucky tune lists, West Virginia modal tune inventories, a few handwritten fiddlers’ notebooks, and collector notes from the 1970s–80s. No fiddler is given credit for the tune. The written version seems to show it to have been a slightly crooked tune, played in D. Dirk's version is not crooked, and he plays it in G.

No - none of this is that important... but I sure would love to know a bit more - and would really love to hear a recording of it played "crooked in D".

Can anyone add anything? ...has a recording? (never know until you ask)

bow hair

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sun, 10 May 2026 10:13:49 CST

I'm sure most all of us have had to have a bow re-haired. I've had several through the years.

Unless I was mis-informed about a few issues I've had through the years, there is a few things that I've learned about the different grades, types. color, methods used to install.

I used to go through hairs pretty quick, so... on a few occasions, I thought it would be wise to learn how to do this for myself. But I don't need it as often now - so - no more than what I would need to do it, I would never get enough experience to "master" the art. And I have found a good luthier that I trust.

Reason for the post here: I'd like to hear what you have learned through the years - about all of those things we should know to get the best hair to compliment how we fiddle.

I'll save mine for a little later. I'd rather hear some things first. Please...

The “History” of the Folk Revival

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Sat, 9 May 2026 08:53:42 CST

This video is part of a series I’ve come across recently that goes into the origins of bluegrass, country, and Old Time music. It’s intriguing to hear the story of how music that came to be considered foundational was so carefully curated and industrialized. It’s also interesting to see how many of the figures in the history were not just Bohemian creatives or simple country bumpkins but were often savvy businessmen who capitalized on trends they saw. It also shows how much a lot of the people who were making the music who weren’t as savvy were scalped and cannibalized by the New England folk revivalists who wanted to co-opt the music to suit their own purposes.

youtu.be/JJlZGpEtA1E?si=NeKyMlr0fUf33iV4

Just Intonation vs. Equal Temperament and Digital Tuners

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Thu, 7 May 2026 08:18:48 CST

I've read that violins are played in just intonation instead of equal temperament.

I've also read that you shouldn't try to watch a tuner to refine your intonation while playing.

I've occasionally turned my tuner on while play a note to "check" the intonation, like, that F# just doesn't seem to sound right. Let me turn on my tuner and check that one note. But I find it frustrating. I would guess that digital tuners are setup for Equal Temperament. That makes me think that trying to match the tuner may be pointless if my ear is looking to hear just intonation.

Using Structured Practice to Improve Violin Consistency

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Tue, 5 May 2026 07:21:01 CST

Hi, I`m new here. And I’ve been thinking about how much structured routines can improve consistency in violin playing, especially for those of us who benefit from clear patterns and repetition. Breaking practice into small, predictable segments—like intonation, bow control, and rhythm—has made a noticeable difference for me. It reduces frustration and helps track progress more objectively. Curious if others here use structured approaches or prefer a more free-form style when practicing?

Looking for Jams, or any Get Togethers, close by in Missouri

eric@fiddlehangout.com — Mon, 4 May 2026 05:08:12 CST

Been trying to find others in my area for quite a while, and I've put the word in Facebook groups as well.
My dilemma: I've been trying, and re-trying, to teach myself old time fiddle for a number of years. Always starting, stopping and re-starting. Recently I decided to get out of my comfort zone and attend a jam in St Louis. It was great, although I was a bundle of nerves at first. Problem is it is a 2 hour drive (I'm in Pulaski County). In fact, ALL the known (to me) jams are a 1.5-2 hr drive, usually on a worknight, which includes Springfield area, McClurg, St Louis and Columbia....and I'm smack dab in the middle, in a fiddling DEADZONE it seems.
I'm gonna try one in Ozark this Friday, being that it is slightly less of a drive. But, as gas is getting out of hand this may me short lived as well.
It really sucks, because I really enjoy playing with others.

So, now I'm putting the question out here: Does anyone know of any open old time jams closer to my area, or of any players in this area, who might be willing to get together somewhere in the area?

Surrounding counties are: Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Pulaski, Wright, Texas