A fiddle is a musical instrument with four strings and hollow wooden body which resonates when the strings are picked or a bow is used to slide along the strings. A fiddle is another name for a violin - they are the same instrument. It is possible to buy a wooden fiddle or an electric fiddle and the choice will depend on the type of music being played.
A person who learns how to play the fiddle must use a combination of skill, practice and dexterity to become an accomplished player. Fiddles are relatively small string instruments and are popular with folk and country music musicians, often played in the same way as a guitar or banjo. Fiddle music sounds different from violin music because when someone is playing the fiddle the strings are plucked or played with open tuning, using alternative tuning of the strings to create different majors on the same instrument.http://folkmusic.about.com/od/tipsforpros/qt/AltTunings.htm
History of the Fiddle
The fiddle or violin first appeared in its present form during the 16th century by combining elements from early curved fiddles, rebecs and the lira da braccio. Andrea Amati, Gasparo da Salò and Giovanni Maggini are all known as early masters of the instrument but it wasn't until the 17th and 18th centuries that fiddles became very popular when composers like Antonio Vivaldi and Johann Sebastian Bach incorporated the instrument into their compositions. http://musiced.about.com/od/beginnersguide/a/halloween.htm
Fiddle players are found all over the world, however the tradition is strongest in the British Isles, particularly Scotland and Wales, where it became the staple instrument of Celtic music along with drums and bagpipes.http://www.celtscot.ed.ac.uk/fiddle/conclusion.htm Groups such as The Fochabers Fiddlers along with The Banchory Strathspey keep the traditions alive and encourage new players by touring and performing at fairs and exhibitions.http://www.celtscot.ed.ac.uk/fiddle/conclusionpres.htm
In the US the fiddle is popular in Cajun music, with many live performances and players keeping the Cajun and Zydeco dance culture active. David Greely, the founding fiddler of Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, and Joel Savoy of The Savoy Family Band and the Red Stick Ramblers are two such players who tour and play throughout the southern US states.http://www.linktv.org/worldmusic/blog/post/395/world-music-from-the-usa-the-cajun-fiddles-of-david-greely-and-joel-savoy
Featured Video How to Play the Fiddle
This instructional video by David Kaynor shows you how to play the fiddle using a bow. The fiddle is played using a number of techniques including plucking the strings or using the bow. To become an accomplished player both techniques need to be learned. The fiddle can be tuned in a traditional manner or open tuned to create different majors on the instrument.
References
Fast Facts
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Origin
Created during the 15th century
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Varieties
Fiddles come in a variety of sizes ranging from 14" to 23-5/8" for the full sized instrument
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Prices vary from $100 to $500 for a vintage instrument
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Popular with folk, country and cajun musicians
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