I first heard this tune on Matt Wyatt’s album, The Goodbye Waltz – back porch fiddling. I asked Matt about it, and he learned it off of a recording of Benny Thommasson playing it. I have added a little bit of my own variation to it. According to my sources, it’s an old fiddle tune […]
Drunkard’s Hiccups – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 79
Doh! Who would have thought it would be so tough to document that Drunkard’s Hiccups was a public domain tune. According to my sources, this tune is REALLY old, like 400 years old give or take. I have known the basic Jack of Diamonds melody for long enough that I don’t know where I heard […]
Miller’s Reel – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 75
I like Miller’s Reel. It’s simple and straight ahead, and it’s just plain fun to play. And, if it matters, Irish people play it too. 😛 Get Sheet Music Learn to play Miller’s Reel on fiddle here MILLER’S REEL [1]. AKA and see “The Dawn [1],” “Dawning of the Day [5]” (Fáinne an Lae), “Dusty Miller [5]” […]
Smith’s Reel – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 74
Until I have read the Fiddler’s Companion story on Smith’s Reel, I won’t know the origin of it. I have long thought that Smith’s Reel was a fun tune, but haven’t ever spent time working out something really cool with it. Jeff Guernsey played a cool version of it at the Grand Master’s Fiddler Championship […]
Kesh Jig – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 73
I don’t have an elaborate story about Kesh Jig. I have heard it a number of times, and hadn’t really ever played it but I had it in my head. When I was thinking of Irish tunes, it came to mind so I played it. Kesh Jig is a pretty simple tune, and I think […]
Golden Eagle Hornpipe – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 72
Golden Eagle Hornpipe was probably American originally, but when I was looking for a tune to record, it came to mind, and the Fiddler’s Companion listed Irish after American in the tune derivation, so it is at least Irish-ish. 🙂 I was amused when I read the Fiddler’s Companion profile where Tolman calls the tune […]
Swallowtail Jig – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 71
Continuing with the Irish tune trend, today’s fiddle tune is a jig called the Swallowtail Jig. It is my understanding that this is a traditional Irish jig, so I hope that my understanding is confirmed by the fiddler’s companion. I was inspired to play Swallowtail Jig because of it’s similarities to the Angry Birds theme […]
Shenandoah – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 61
There is only one way about it, Shenandoah is a beautiful melody. My primary memory around this song is hearing my Dad sing it as a kid. What a great tune. Get Sheet Music for Shenandoah Learn to play Shenandoah on fiddle here This tune is also featured my album with Steve Eulberg, Not My Monkey […]
Woodchopper’s Reel – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 60
Woodchopper’gs Reel has always been a tune that I have enjoyed playing. And, it’s one of those tunes that will sometimes come to me as I’m noodling around, and I can’t remember the name. For some reason, it always reminds me of Great Western Clog. Get sheet music for Woodchopper’s Reel here Learn to play […]
Spider Bit the Baby – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 59
Wow, 59 days of a fiddle tune every day. That really sounds like a lot. And, I’m almost 20% of the way done. The first time I heard Spider Bit the Baby, I was 11 years old at the Winfield, KS fiddle contest (at the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival). If I remember correctly, Billy Ward […]