There are plenty of tune books out there containing communal repertoire, tunes shared not only with other players on the scene but with past and future players – the noun or thing of folk music, if you will. Far fewer address the process or verb of folk music, that personal freedom to ornament and vary these tunes, responding to other musicians or to our own musical whims. The Fiddle Project looks at both the stylistic elements involved and the processes of experimentation and exploration that are involved in really getting into a tune and that constitute the doing of folk music.
The first book, English Jigs Book One, will guide you through the process of experimenting with a few selected stylistic elements. The website contains videos (29 for the violin edition, 34 for the viola edition) of slow play-throughs for each tune, exercises, tips on how to play the elements and faster play-throughs that relate to listening challenges set in the book, as well as a Spotify playlist of recommended listening. All written music has a corresponding video, so it’s accessible to people who don’t read music or who are less confident reading music.
Simply buy the book (physical copy or download), have a look at the videos and get playing! Take a look inside the book and hear all about it:
NOW AVAILABLE: English Jigs Book One: VIOLA EDITION! With tunes in both standard keys and viola-friendly keys, and 34 supporting videos.
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The Fiddle Project 