In this issue

Winter Edition

The Intrepid Fiddler

Busking in the Digital Age

5 mins

Jody's Column

"Broken Down Gambler" as played by The Skillet Lickers

3 mins

On Improvisation

In this On Improvisation column, we'll be discussing Mr. (or Ms.) Pinky, as he (or she) is known to his (or her) friends.

4 mins

Violin Maker's Corner

Fundamental Friction Facts for Fiddler Folks

5 mins

John Preston: Making Living Trees into Singing Instruments

Every great chef knows the excellence of their dish depends on the quality of their ingredients. The same is true for the builder of instruments.

5 mins

Dan MacDonald: Organically Grown Music

Born in Ironville, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Dan MacDonald grew up with the sounds of his parents and a few of his 11 siblings making music.

10+ mins

Christiaan Van Hemert: Arpeggiating Jazz

For anyone trying to learn to play Gypsy jazz, one of the main hurdles is becoming a fluent improvisor.

10+ mins

Gerry Harrington's Search For The Soul Of Irish Music

Few fiddlers, Irish or otherwise, are as sensitive or insightful interpreters of traditional music as Gerry Harrington.

8 mins

Bronwyn Keith-Hynes: Opening Windows

Bronwyn Keith-Hynes is a fiddler who likes to open windows, not only to hear what is out there, but also to let some of that air into the sound of her band Mile Twelve. She and her bandmates are happy having one foot in traditional bluegrass, while the other foot is dipping its toes into other genres.

6 mins

Violin Maker's Corner

Hello friends, I am pleased you have joined me this quarter as I, and the wonderful staff here at Fiddler Magazine, kick off a brand new column!

3 mins

Kenny Kosek: Tales From The 'Fertile Crescent Of Fiddle Music'

It was nearly a half century ago that Breakfast Special swung by the Rutgers University student center for a performance at the Tuesday Night Folk Music Concert Series.

10+ mins

'I Wouldn't Trade My Style …' An Interview With Carl Grexton

[This is an edited transcription of a conversation between Will Henry and fiddler Carl Grexton, who was 74 at the time. It was recorded at Grexton’s home in Grandview, Manitoba, on March 13, 1984.]

10+ mins

Waltzes & Airs

A River of Possibilities

1 min

The Hidden Note

Cherish the Ladies, Part II: Pioneering Women Fiddlers

4 mins

Tony DeMarco: A Priceless Tutelage

New York fiddler Tony DeMarco is a master of the Sligo fiddle style.

10+ mins

David Bragger: At Home in the Old-Time Tiki Parlour

Observing the status quo over the years lends one a macro view of the music scene.

10 mins

Read all stories from Fiddler Magazine

Fiddler Magazine Description:

Founded in 1994, Fiddler Magazine is an informative, educational, and entertaining resource for fiddlers, accompanists, and appreciative listeners. Each quarterly issue (+/- 55 pages each) features a variety of different styles of fiddling, as well as plenty of other articles and columns. Regular columns include: Bluegrass Fiddling, “The Practicing Fiddler,” Fiddle Tune History, On Improvisation, Irish Fiddling, Scottish Fiddling, and reviews of CDs, books, and DVDs. Each issue also includes transcriptions of several tunes.