Black Pine Waltz is more than just a little way off the beaten path when it comes to waltzes. The structure is non-standard. The chords are a little bit strange (and you are unlikely to find a guitar player who knows it at most contests you go to.) And, I think it’s a cool tune, […]
Peaches and Honey – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 144
Yesterday, I posted a challenge that the first one on Facebook to respond correctly to the question: “What is a Sally Growler?” would have today’s tune dedicated to them. And, Kerry Varble was the Winner saying that a Sally Growler is an ugly fish. Greg Fisher got a second place win (sorry, no prize for second […]
Misty Moonlight Waltz – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 139
Misty Moonlight is certainly a pretty waltz, and it’s a tricky one to play in tune. I learned it from Tony Ludiker, but I first heard it on Mark O’Connor‘s Soppin’ the Gravy Album – which I totally wore out. Mark wrote this tune at age 16. If only I could play it as smoothly as […]
Clarinet Polka – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 136
I never really play Clarinet Polka. I know the melody, and I have taught it to a student here or there, but I haven’t ever worked it up or played it publicly (before tonight.) It’s not that I don’t like it, or think it’s cool. I guess it has just sat there on the periphery […]
Calgary Polka (Gaudet Polka) – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 122
The first time I heard Calgary Polka was on Mark O’Connor’s album Soppin’ the Gravy, which I TOTALLY wore out when I was a teen. And, I started working on it when I heard Hanneke Cassel playing it in the warm up room (cafeteria) one of the first times I wen to Weiser. I remember […]
Allentown Polka – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 115
I don’t remember where I first heard Allentown Polka, but I do remember that it was being played by someone who was competing against me in a fiddle contest. And, that’s why I learned the tune. I can’t say that I ever played it in a fiddle contest, or that I have played it with […]
DeGolyer Hornpipe – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 111
Inspired by Mark O’Connor’s definition of a breakdown in the infamous thread on the Facebook Fiddler’s Association that began with my post of Cumberland Gap asking the question, who is your favorite breakdown fiddler. I should have known better than to ask a question like that to 200 ravenous fiddlers. 😉 I think I had […]
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 […]
Mason’s Apron – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 63
I don’t remember when I first heard Mason’s Apron, but I know it was a long time ago. I seem to recall having a recording of Mark O’Connor playing it. The thing that really sticks with me about this tune is its similarity to a couple of other tunes – Ace of Spades, and Red […]
Summertime – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 55
Summertime is one of my all-time favorites. I remember the first time I heard it; I was listening to the Four World Champion Fiddlers album that featured Benny Thommasson, Terry Morris, Jim “Texas Shorty” Chancellor, and Mark O’Connor. I wore that record out. I hope that Mark O’Connor decides to reissue it. I will definitely […]