hello, there:
I am trying to learn Appalachian old-time style fiddle.
Many tunes are played on AEAE or GDGD tuning due to the drones. Do people actually keep and carry arond three fiddles of different tuning sets? I don't see how else they can handle with this tuning business !
I don't do much of that, but when I do, I just quickly tune. I know some folks that do carry more than one fiddle for just that reason. Have you asked on that fiddle website (I forgot the name of it, I think I saw links posted here, or was it myspace?)
I think the website that wyogal is referring to is Fiddle World (http://fiddleworld.ning.com). It deals with various fiddle styles (not just ITM) and someone there will probably be able to answer your question.
I've noticed that the old-timers will carry two fiddles for performances, but just take time to tune for jams - they seem to stick to one tuning for a while in jam sessions. I've discovered that polkas sound really good cross-tuned
I've also seen what airport mentioned- old-time fiddlers will play an hour in one key before changing. 5 string banjos also have to retune so it's very common in old-time music. There tends to be a preference for steel strings because they handle the retuning better.
good point about the steel strings - also I've never seen anyone go from AEAE to GDGD. You might start in standard, then go to D (ADAE), then raise the D to AEAE. I suppose there are people out there who don't might retuning four strings, but it doesn't sound like much fun to me...
Fiddles don't like being retuned from standard tuning and back again. When you do a major retune from GDAE to AEAE or GDGD it takes a while for the new forces in the fiddle's body, sound post and bridge to stabilise, and the same vice versa. That's why it makes sense to have two fiddles if you regularly use two different tunings.
old-time fiddle paradox
old-time fiddle paradox
hello, there:
I am trying to learn Appalachian old-time style fiddle.
Many tunes are played on AEAE or GDGD tuning due to the drones. Do people actually keep and carry arond three fiddles of different tuning sets? I don't see how else they can handle with this tuning business !
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by hykkoh
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
I don't do much of that, but when I do, I just quickly tune. I know some folks that do carry more than one fiddle for just that reason. Have you asked on that fiddle website (I forgot the name of it, I think I saw links posted here, or was it myspace?)
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by wyogal
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
yes, often two...one standard and one in the other tuning they tend to play in
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by mtodd
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
I think the website that wyogal is referring to is Fiddle World (http://fiddleworld.ning.com). It deals with various fiddle styles (not just ITM) and someone there will probably be able to answer your question.
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by jsmith
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
I've noticed that the old-timers will carry two fiddles for performances, but just take time to tune for jams - they seem to stick to one tuning for a while in jam sessions. I've discovered that polkas sound really good cross-tuned
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by airport
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
Y'all need a Transformer fiddle.
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
good idea - flip the neck, rotate the sides up, and voila.... banjo!
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by airport
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
lol!
Or, "...and voila...viola!"
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
très bon!
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by airport
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
I've also seen what airport mentioned- old-time fiddlers will play an hour in one key before changing. 5 string banjos also have to retune so it's very common in old-time music. There tends to be a preference for steel strings because they handle the retuning better.
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by azfiddle
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
good point about the steel strings - also I've never seen anyone go from AEAE to GDGD. You might start in standard, then go to D (ADAE), then raise the D to AEAE. I suppose there are people out there who don't might retuning four strings, but it doesn't sound like much fun to me...
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by airport
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
Fiddles don't like being retuned from standard tuning and back again. When you do a major retune from GDAE to AEAE or GDGD it takes a while for the new forces in the fiddle's body, sound post and bridge to stabilise, and the same vice versa. That's why it makes sense to have two fiddles if you regularly use two different tunings.
# Posted on April 16th 2009 by lazyhound
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
I'd say most fiddlers I know in this situation keep, and often carry, two fiddles.
# Posted on April 16th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
you must have nicer fiddles than the beaters we use here - the steel strings help too
# Posted on April 16th 2009 by airport
Re: old-time fiddle paradox
James Kelly seems to be comfortable changing tuning from EADG to EAEA on his fiddle, in the middle of an interview in front of a television camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb1K5BCtLY8
# Posted on April 16th 2009 by Jumper