2 whole songs!
1. Peg & Awl, ala Bruce Molsky (you'd probably like)
2. You Never Can Tell, Chuck Berry (2 chords)

Just like singing with guitar, in that, the fiddle really needs to be automatic.
Ketch from Old Crow Medicine Show is the master.

It IS part of the old time fiddle tradition, but not very common. Tommy Jarrell was the modern "master," but before him there were John Carson, Gid Tanner and Arthur Smith, to name a few. Walt Koken was very good at it - don't know if he got the idea from Tommy, or just needed it to entertain. There are lots of Highwoods shows on YouTube now, where I guess there are many examples. Also the recordings of "Free Little Bird," etc., etc.
I can do it too, and there are some recordings on my music page here - "Old Man at the Mill," "Sugar Hill," "Western Country."
Playing the fiddle is not the ideal accompaniment for vocalizing though. I've heard that John Lair urged Lilly May Ledford, who was a great fiddler, to switch to banjo in the Coon Creek Girls, because she was also a great singer.
I've seen comments here that people don't like singing at their jams (presumably because it takes time away from playing more boring cross-tuned A tunes) so probably not many people are trying it today.

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Originally posted by farmerjones

2 whole songs!
1. Peg & Awl, ala Bruce Molsky (you'd probably like)
2. You Never Can Tell, Chuck Berry (2 chords)

Just like singing with guitar, in that, the fiddle really needs to be automatic.
Ketch from Old Crow Medicine Show is the master.

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Peg and Awl is one I do as well - Bruce Molsky's version. There are variations of the lyrics used in the chorus / refrain, but - from what I have read - he sings the version that was on the earliest recording (Kelly Harrell / 1926).   

Interesting fact - the "new machine" was not invented / patented until 1858 and wasn't really put into production until 1861, not around 1801 - 1804. Interesting history behind that... But its a great song - anyway.

Here's Fiddlin' John playing and singing "Batchelor's Hall" - one of my favorites!
youtu.be/WQw7yz0YUu0?si=la5nxzTZtzkMmoPo

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Originally posted by DougD

...it takes time away from playing more boring cross-tuned A tunes

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 ...touche!!!

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Originally posted by DougD

Here's Fiddlin' John playing and singing "Batchelor's Hall" - one of my favorites!
youtu.be/WQw7yz0YUu0?si=la5nxzTZtzkMmoPo

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I was asked once - by the folks I play with on Monday nights - if I thought it was important to include songs in a set list for performing old time. 

I said yes - for a stage performance, I think it adds a lot. I've often said that old time fiddle tunes are more for dances and for musicians to enjoy while playing tunes together - but not so much for an audience in a  concert setting, After about 5 or 6 tunes, they need a song to hold their interest.

That has always been a goal, but I think it is going to be part of my "reset".   

I can't sing and play, though I would like to. Here's a resource I came across a few months ago on the topic. It's a good read.

https://www.fiddlingaround.co.uk/fiddle%20singing.html

I was recently at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, which is pretty awesome. They had several examples of one-string fiddle used for song accompaniment. One is the Serbian Gusle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUSrOTtGV8k

Another was a single-string Spanish Rabel. Unfortunately, even though I have a picture on my phone, I couldn't find any internet examples of a rabel with one string. Apparently rabel means rebec, so all searches led to three- and four-string rebecs. Here's a great example of someone singing with a rebec: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSec6QI4DRo

Unfortunately for me, I guess, my voice is down there with Hank Thompson's. So I would have to sing something like a Six-Pack To Go, which isn't going to work with fiddle!

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Originally posted by DougD

Here's Fiddlin' John playing and singing "Batchelor's Hall" - one of my favorites!
youtu.be/WQw7yz0YUu0?si=la5nxzTZtzkMmoPo

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That's a great one!

At that tempo and with the simple melody I think I could do it.

As I consider my singing voice as OK, not great, I find that I can play the same melody as I sing while playing fiddle or banjo. I figure it adds to the melodic aspect of the song. I can't do like Bruce Molsky who can play a harmony line on fiddle while singing a melody (that must twist one's brain quite a bit).

I often sing harmony with a lead singer. In such cases, I can only chord while singing harmony.

The Blackest Crow, Bruce Molsky

I guess I do this one too. Not near as good as Bruce.

Also listen to his Rye Whiskey/Jack-o-diamonds, and Drunken Hickups.

As Steve said, best if the fiddle is solid and on autopilot (helps if singing is too, so you can work out what the fiddle is supposed to do, harmony-wise). I think songs are an integral part of the old time canon and I love it when someone sings at a jam, especially if the lyrics are funny.

I do a few songs while playing fiddle. I'd like to take the time to work on some more. It works well with a simple melody, but sometimes I'll play 2 note chords. Any attempts at harmonizing with either voice or fiddle is too advanced for me, but maybe someday.

I used to sing quite a bit, in a duo that used vocal harmonizers to perform stuff like Beach Boys and other complex harmony music. But my voice is not what it used to be. These days I only sing 1 tune out while playing fiddle, a swing tune we wrote. I play basic double stops over the lead line. But would never be able to sing the lead line while playing a complex or even a moderately notey backup line. Above my pay grade for sure.

Funny but playing guitar and singing - no problem.

Ernie - If you like slower tempos, I have a couple slower ones on my music page here, which I'll attach. You don't have to listen!
"Old Man at the Mill" is fun, but if you have a low voice you'd have to find a different key.
One of our members asked if anyone played a "droney" version of "Wayfaring Stranger," and I thought I'd give it a try, although its not a song I usually play or sing. Tried cross A, but I couldn't sing it there, so I went to ADAD. I had to look up the words, and worked on the playing a bit and tried a recording. Take 1 was terrible - what you hear is from takes 2 and 3. I haven't played it since. This is probably an example of what happens when you don't know the material really well, but it was just meant as a suggestion.

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Originally posted by tonyelder

How many of us are singing songs while playing fiddle? Is that a desirable "goal"? 

I know it probably doesn't have a place at dances, but shouldn't it be a part of the "old time fiddle tradition" too?  

What would be your advise?

Yes, I have opinions...  

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Not sure I get the questions?

I often use fiddle to accompany singing, both as solo; as well in context part of larger group. For me, useful option; but it's simply about the sound as a whole, what I think would fit the song.

As far as questions, dictating to others what's desirable goals; need to learn/do; and/or should/shouldn't be part of the "old time fiddle tradition"; or needs permission? That's probably part of a different discussion... as per some other recent topics. Yeah, there seems some pretty differing opinions about that.

quote:

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Originally posted by DougD

Ernie - If you like slower tempos, I have a couple slower ones on my music page here, which I'll attach. You don't have to listen!
"Old Man at the Mill" is fun, but if you have a low voice you'd have to find a different key.
One of our members asked if anyone played a "droney" version of "Wayfaring Stranger," and I thought I'd give it a try, although its not a song I usually play or sing. Tried cross A, but I couldn't sing it there, so I went to ADAD. I had to look up the words, and worked on the playing a bit and tried a recording. Take 1 was terrible - what you hear is from takes 2 and 3. I haven't played it since. This is probably an example of what happens when you don't know the material really well, but it was just meant as a suggestion.

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Those are great examples, thanks!

My voice isn't crazy low, and I can get higher with a head voice. It just seems that all recorded music is of tenors. It's rare that I can sing along with recorded music. On the fiddle side, I could go down by playing my viola (down a fifth) or tenor viola (down an octave). Except that my viola is currently strung as a cross-tuned tenor viola.

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Originally posted by alaskafiddler

quote:

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Originally posted by tonyelder

How many of us are singing songs while playing fiddle? Is that a desirable "goal"? 

I know it probably doesn't have a place at dances, but shouldn't it be a part of the "old time fiddle tradition" too?  

What would be your advise?

Yes, I have opinions...  

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Not sure I get the questions?

I often use fiddle to accompany singing, both as solo; as well in context part of larger group. For me, useful option; but it's simply about the sound as a whole, what I think would fit the song.

As far as questions, dictating to others what's desirable goals; need to learn/do; and/or should/shouldn't be part of the "old time fiddle tradition"; or needs permission?

LOL....  goodness George. Did my questions really sound like I was trying to dictate anything to anyone?  I'm lost. They were more survey  type questions.  Is "singing while playing the fiddle" something you - or others desire to do?  How did you find or read "dictate" in there?  ...especially given my last question.    ...and even more so - given my last statement.

That's probably part of a different discussion... as per some other recent topics. Yeah, there seems some pretty differing opinions about that.

I'm still lost.     What "other recent topics are you talking about?  ...and would  that "there" have to do with this "here"?  

Depending on the key, of course, I can sing just fine when I'm playing guitar. Accompanying myself on piano, meantime, is an entirely 'nother kettle of fish. As for singing while fiddling, not a chance.

worked for John Hartford

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Originally posted by Mobob

worked for John Hartford

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One of my heroes.

I’ve wanted to develop the skill for a while, but every time I try, it doesn’t go very well. I think I could probably improve with some lengthy dedicated practice, but I don’t have the time or the motivation to develop it.

I think it’s a useful skill, not just a parlor trick, and I can appreciate players who do it well.

quote:

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Originally posted by The Violin Beautiful

I’ve wanted to develop the skill for a while, but every time I try, it doesn’t go very well. I think I could probably improve with some lengthy dedicated practice, but I don’t have the time or the motivation to develop it.

I think it’s a useful skill, not just a parlor trick, and I can appreciate players who do it well.

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Likewise it's something I've wanted to do but I haven't progressed. It seems beneficial to use a cross tuning for a full sound behind you for singing. But that is also something I haven't really tackled. I'm afraid of cross-tuning adding confusion to my playing in standard tuning. If I'm to ever make the leap it would likely be to do both together.

I’m not very good at this, but I’m interested. I find that cross-tuning is the easiest way for me to sing and play. That way I can whack away at the tonic chord without thinking about it. In parts of the song where that doesn’t work, some chopping can keep everything going.

If I tried to sing and play in standard tuning my brain could get dangerously overloaded and might explode...

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Originally posted by tonyelder

quote:

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Originally posted by alaskafiddler

quote:

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Originally posted by tonyelder

How many of us are singing songs while playing fiddle? Is that a desirable "goal"? 

I know it probably doesn't have a place at dances, but shouldn't it be a part of the "old time fiddle tradition" too?  

What would be your advise?

Yes, I have opinions...  

---

Not sure I get the questions?

I often use fiddle to accompany singing, both as solo; as well in context part of larger group. For me, useful option; but it's simply about the sound as a whole, what I think would fit the song.

As far as questions, dictating to others what's desirable goals; need to learn/do; and/or should/shouldn't be part of the "old time fiddle tradition"; or needs permission?

LOL....  goodness George. Did my questions really sound like I was trying to dictate anything to anyone?  I'm lost. They were more survey  type questions.  Is "singing while playing the fiddle" something you - or others desire to do?  How did you find or read "dictate" in there?  ...especially given my last question.    ...and even more so - given my last statement.

That's probably part of a different discussion... as per some other recent topics. Yeah, there seems some pretty differing opinions about that.

I'm still lost.     What "other recent topics are you talking about?  ...and would  that "there" have to do with this "here"?  

 

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Just pointing out there are different type of discussions.

Just stated wasn't sure what to interpret; the vague way worded what those questions were about; where you were going? 

By dictate, I meant about fitting in, acceptance, conformity to some definition to genre label "old-time fiddle tradition"; which seem what want to discuss (or debate?)... given question about what to advise, as to if should be part of; and that you have some opinion. That it's vote/survey consensus is part of that.

The other type of discussion would be just directed about function, musicality why, how to, tips. In similar discussion of singing with other instruments. Not really about the above with genre/label; or any rules; but finding options/tools to what works for the individual what want to accomplish musically.

...and would  that "there" have to do with this "here"?  

My comment on other topics; is just noticing how a lot of these discussions, comment seem more about the former, opinions or concerns on aspects of genre/label definitions, (or checklists, rules?). Not that it shouldn't be discussed... just creates a different type of discussion.

quote:

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Originally posted by alaskafiddler

quote:

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Originally posted by tonyelder

quote:

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Originally posted by alaskafiddler

quote:

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Originally posted by tonyelder

How many of us are singing songs while playing fiddle? Is that a desirable "goal"? 

I know it probably doesn't have a place at dances, but shouldn't it be a part of the "old time fiddle tradition" too?  

What would be your advise?

Yes, I have opinions...  

---

Not sure I get the questions?

I often use fiddle to accompany singing, both as solo; as well in context part of larger group. For me, useful option; but it's simply about the sound as a whole, what I think would fit the song.

As far as questions, dictating to others what's desirable goals; need to learn/do; and/or should/shouldn't be part of the "old time fiddle tradition"; or needs permission?

LOL....  goodness George. Did my questions really sound like I was trying to dictate anything to anyone?  I'm lost. They were more survey  type questions.  Is "singing while playing the fiddle" something you - or others desire to do?  How did you find or read "dictate" in there?  ...especially given my last question.    ...and even more so - given my last statement.

That's probably part of a different discussion... as per some other recent topics. Yeah, there seems some pretty differing opinions about that.

I'm still lost.     What "other recent topics are you talking about?  ...and would  that "there" have to do with this "here"?  

 

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Just pointing out there are different type of discussions.

Just stated wasn't sure what to interpret; the vague way worded what those questions were about; where you were going? 

By dictate, I meant about fitting in, acceptance, conformity to some definition to genre label "old-time fiddle tradition"; which seem what want to discuss (or debate?)... given question about what to advise, as to if should be part of; and that you have some opinion. That it's vote/survey consensus is part of that.

The other type of discussion would be just directed about function, musicality why, how to, tips. In similar discussion of singing with other instruments. Not really about the above with genre/label; or any rules; but finding options/tools to what works for the individual what want to accomplish musically.

...and would  that "there" have to do with this "here"?  

My comment on other topics; is just noticing how a lot of these discussions, comment seem more about the former, opinions or concerns on aspects of genre/label definitions, (or checklists, rules?). Not that it shouldn't be discussed... just creates a different type of discussion.

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   ... appreciate you making the effort to explain.