In this issue

Fall features include violin makers John Preston, James Morris, and Murray Kuun; Volume Five's Glen Harrell; Ingredients of Fiddle Tunes. Columns and tunes: Violin Maker's Corner (Friction Facts: Pegs); On Improvisation (Mr. Pinky); Waltzes & Airs ("Chez Seychelles"); The Tune Sleuth ("Upon a Summer's Day"); Tunesmiths: Stefan Curl ("Race the River Jordan"); Jody's Column: Skillet Lickers ("Broken Down Gambler"); The Hidden Note: Competitions ("O'Sullivan's March"); Irish Fiddling: Feddersen & Gourley ("Paddy Sean Nancy's"); Scottish Fiddling: Isle of Birds ("The Dipper," "Chailleach-Oidhche/The Owl"); The Intrepid Fiddler: Busking in the Digital Age; Bluegrass Fiddling: Mac Magaha ("I'm Just a Used to Be to You"); The Practicing Fiddler (Being a Professional Fiddler); Reviews; Crossword Puzzle; Fiddle-toon.

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

Instrument Maker James Morris: Where History and Creativity Meet

I first came upon James (Jim) Morris' musical creations on the Facebook group Fiddle Tune Video Library.

3 mins

Murray Kuun: Non-traditional Violin Maker

Murray Kuun is a woodworker and luthier living in South Africa, where he builds violins and other instruments. In a recent interview, he told us about his path to becoming a maker of instruments with innovative designs.

2 mins

Violin Maker's Corner

Fundamental Friction Facts for Fiddler Folks

5 mins

Glen Harrell - Turn up the Volume

In just a little over 10 years since its formation, Volume Five has become one of the most popular bluegrass bands in the industry. The reason is obvious: distinctive, strong vocals, quality instrumentation, well-chosen bluegrass and gospel songs in its repertoire, and a dedicated leader of the band.

5 mins

Ingredients of Fiddle Tunes

After several years of teaching and playing at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington, Marc Savoy, accordion maker and player, said he did not want to return.

6 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

Tunesmiths

A Favorite Tune and its Mysterious Title

7 mins

Jody's Column

"Broken Down Gambler" as played by The Skillet Lickers

3 mins

Isle of Birds

Scottish Fiddling with Pete Clark

4 mins

The Intrepid Fiddler

Busking in the Digital Age

5 mins

Bluegrass Fiddling

Mac Magaha-Nashville's Dancing Fiddler

1 min

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.