I have recently become interested in entering fiddling contests. I'm wondering what types of songs or techniques are considered trick and fancy. I'm also wondering what double bowing is.
Assuming you're entering the U.S. style competitons, have a look at the categories on this site - http://www.fiddlefest.org/index.asp?pgid=16 .. and as it says, for 'trick and fancy', almost anything goes, but no electrics or amped instuments allowed. Some players are doing thing like ricochet and shuffle bowing (sometimes referred to as double bowing). I've a couple of short clips of these on my site (I'm slowing down the shuffle a bit here) if you want to take a look.
I think he's talking to Greenmountaindragon. There's quite a few things in his very short paragraph which would be guaranteed to get his back up; e.g. "songs", "contests", "trick and fancy". None of these seem to have very much to do with playing music, as far as I'm concerned.
As a matter of fact, I play "music" very well. It's a shame that people feel compelled to belittle others for asking a question. I appreciate everyone who replied respectfully.
I took a look round the web for 'trick and fancy' fiddling just to keep up to date. The criteria for judging is different : the 'playing music' categories are judged by a panel (just like Comthaltas), but the 'trick and fancy' category is judged by audience vote. So, in that sense, 'trick and fancy' is a lot less musical and more entertaining, but the reality is that most of these T&F entrants are highly skilled musicians in their own right. They enter the T&F for fun. Just like sessions are supposed to be.
Jim
PS ...and it's such a common U.S. thing to refer to tunes as songs - don't ask me why.
You can win a fiddle competition simply by playing a tune at a high level with tasteful ornamentation, like a reel, and then a slow air. No tricks needed. The thing that blows people away is not the brief adrenaline rush you may give them and yourself by doing something overtly flashy, but the way your playing should move them on an emotional level. You can make more of an impact on people when you move them with your musicianship than with any type of trick or gimmick.
Sorry, GMD. I'm also making a bit of humour (good naturedly, of course) at Michael's expense as I know he doesn't like competitions etc. I find the term "trick and fancy" a bit unappealing as it gives the impression of "showing off". However, after looking at Jim's links, I realise that it's just a bit of fun. Also, I did realise that you meant "tunes" rather than "songs". You're not the only one who has said that but I always find it amusing.
I agree. The last time I went to a competition, I felt that the contestants in the trick and fancy division were excellent performers. They had great tone and a wonderful stage presence. Many of the contestants came straight from the champion division.
According to what I was taught, shuffle bowing is a style and is not notated as part of the sheet music except in books that teach shuffle bowing.
There are probably tunes on this site that could be played with shuffle bowing, but I doubt any of them include that in the notation. At least, I haven't, in my explorations, seen any. Try checking the comments fields of a tune posting for advice on bowing specifics for that tune.
The search feature for discussions is also extremely well-designed to pick up details like that, so try searching prior discussions and see what you find about shuffle bowing.
What constitutes trick and fancy?
What constitutes trick and fancy?
Hi,
I have recently become interested in entering fiddling contests. I'm wondering what types of songs or techniques are considered trick and fancy. I'm also wondering what double bowing is.
Thank you,
# Posted on June 7th 2005 by greenmountaindragons
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
Using two bows at once - a good trick!
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by geoffwright
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
You should save your 'songs' for the singing competitions.
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by curlew
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
Assuming you're entering the U.S. style competitons, have a look at the categories on this site -
http://www.fiddlefest.org/index.asp?pgid=16 .. and as it says, for 'trick and fancy', almost anything goes, but no electrics or amped instuments allowed. Some players are doing thing like ricochet and shuffle bowing (sometimes referred to as double bowing). I've a couple of short clips of these on my site (I'm slowing down the shuffle a bit here) if you want to take a look.
http://www.worldfiddlemusic.co.uk/video/1-bow-bounce.wmv
http://www.worldfiddlemusic.co.uk/video/1-shuffle-bowing.wmv
Good luck
PS Where are you from?
Jim
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by Worldfiddler
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
It's a shame you don't seem intersted in playing music
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
You talking to me, Mr Michael?
Jim
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by Worldfiddler
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
I think he's talking to Greenmountaindragon. There's quite a few things in his very short paragraph which would be guaranteed to get his back up; e.g. "songs", "contests", "trick and fancy". None of these seem to have very much to do with playing music, as far as I'm concerned.
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by Back for a while
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
As a matter of fact, I play "music" very well. It's a shame that people feel compelled to belittle others for asking a question. I appreciate everyone who replied respectfully.
Thank you
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by greenmountaindragons
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
I took a look round the web for 'trick and fancy' fiddling just to keep up to date. The criteria for judging is different : the 'playing music' categories are judged by a panel (just like Comthaltas), but the 'trick and fancy' category is judged by audience vote. So, in that sense, 'trick and fancy' is a lot less musical and more entertaining, but the reality is that most of these T&F entrants are highly skilled musicians in their own right. They enter the T&F for fun. Just like sessions are supposed to be.
Jim
PS ...and it's such a common U.S. thing to refer to tunes as songs - don't ask me why.
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by Worldfiddler
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
You can win a fiddle competition simply by playing a tune at a high level with tasteful ornamentation, like a reel, and then a slow air. No tricks needed. The thing that blows people away is not the brief adrenaline rush you may give them and yourself by doing something overtly flashy, but the way your playing should move them on an emotional level. You can make more of an impact on people when you move them with your musicianship than with any type of trick or gimmick.
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by violynnsey
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
Sorry, GMD. I'm also making a bit of humour (good naturedly, of course) at Michael's expense as I know he doesn't like competitions etc. I find the term "trick and fancy" a bit unappealing as it gives the impression of "showing off". However, after looking at Jim's links, I realise that it's just a bit of fun. Also, I did realise that you meant "tunes" rather than "songs". You're not the only one who has said that but I always find it amusing.
Hope you haven't taken too much offence.
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by Back for a while
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
I agree. The last time I went to a competition, I felt that the contestants in the trick and fancy division were excellent performers. They had great tone and a wonderful stage presence. Many of the contestants came straight from the champion division.
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by greenmountaindragons
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
I'm not offended lol. Is the shuffle bowing something that is written into sheet music? Are there any tunes on this site which have shuffle bowing?
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by greenmountaindragons
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
According to what I was taught, shuffle bowing is a style and is not notated as part of the sheet music except in books that teach shuffle bowing.
There are probably tunes on this site that could be played with shuffle bowing, but I doubt any of them include that in the notation. At least, I haven't, in my explorations, seen any. Try checking the comments fields of a tune posting for advice on bowing specifics for that tune.
The search feature for discussions is also extremely well-designed to pick up details like that, so try searching prior discussions and see what you find about shuffle bowing.
And don't mind our resident curmudgeon.
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by sara g
Re: What constitutes trick and fancy?
Hi GMD,
Here's some sheet music to accompany the video clip. It pretty much matches the video (the first part anyway).
http://www.worldfiddlemusic.co.uk/graphics/orange-blossom-special.jpg
Jim
# Posted on June 8th 2005 by Worldfiddler