The three strongest and most important chords within a key, sometimes called “tonic” sub-dominant” & “dominant” (in Classical Music). These chords within a key are the basis for 90% of ALL music, from Classical to Heavy metal and beyond! Want to learn more about this? Click here for more info
Archive | By Knowledge
Learning by first understanding.
Why Major Scales are “MAJOR”
By fiddlejamman on February 23, 2013 in By Knowledge, By Sight, By Topic, Course, Ionian Mode, Lesson List, Major Scale, Music Mechanics
So, what’s up with this major and minor (& other) thing, you may ask?… Those who have studied modes a bit know that “Major” is not really the real name for this scale anyways (it is “Ionian”)… so why is it deserving of the title: “Major”???… is it really
Note Number System
By fiddlejamman on February 22, 2013 in By Ear, By Feeling, By Knowledge, By Sight, Gigger Level, Ionian Mode, Jamming 102, Lesson List, Major Scale, Music Mechanics, One-Room-School-House ORSH
Sometimes called the “interval” system, the Note Number System is way of explaining how music notes relate to each other within a key or scale and is quite universal in the “gigging” world. <<:Want to learn about this? Click here for more info on our free Fiddle Jam Club membership
Amazing Grace
By fiddlejamman on February 20, 2013 in “Tater”, A major, Beginner Violin, By Ear, By Key, By Knowledge, By Scale, By Sight, Cornerstone Styles, Country, Fiddle Tunes, Folk Fiddle, G major, Gigger Level, Jammer Level, Lesson List, Major Pentatonic Scale, Major Scale, Note Name – Finger Number, One-Room-School-House ORSH, Staff Notation, Style Studies
Description: This very popular Christian spiritual tune* has crossed many style boundaries. Countless students have requested it from me over the years. I’ll include it here. I’ve included it here in two separate but popular and fiddle-friendly keys: G & A. The G version is lower and sweeter sounding, and
Shave Endings
By fiddlejamman on February 19, 2013 in A major, Beginner Violin, Bluegrass Fiddle, By Ear, By Feeling, By Knowledge, By Sight, Cornerstone Styles, Country, D major, Fiddle Tunes, Folk Fiddle, G major, Gigger Level, Ionian Mode, Jammer Level, Lesson List, Major Scale, Music History, Music Mechanics, One-Room-School-House ORSH, Staff Notation, Style Studies, Teacher Training
”Shave and a Hair Cut… Two Bits!” History & Culture: Ubiquitous traditional fiddle tune ending… and friendly hello/goodbye rhythmic gesture… at least here in America. Knock this rhythm on your friend’s door to signal it is you. Often done in a call and answer way, where the “caller” will do
Potato Fiddle intros
By fiddlejamman on February 19, 2013 in “Tater”, A major, By Ear, By Feeling, By Knowledge, By Sight, D major, G major, Gigger Level, Ionian Mode, Jammer Level, Lesson List, Major Scale, One-Room-School-House ORSH, Staff Notation
”Po-tato, Po-tato, Po-tato, Po-tato”… Common count in for fiddle tunes. Usually done by the “lead” musician in an ensemble (most often the fiddler… you?). This is the fiddling equivalent of a rock drummer clicking his/her sticks while counting the band in: “one – two – three – four!…”
Acadian Two-Step
By fiddlejamman on February 18, 2013 in A major, Artist Level, Bluegrass Fiddle, Blues, By Ear, By Feeling, By Key, By Knowledge, By Scale, By Sight, Cajun-Zydeco, Cornerstone Styles, Country, Fiddle Tunes, Fiddler’s Tab, Folk Fiddle, Gigger Level, Jam-Along Tracks, Jammer Level, Jamming 101, Jamming 102, jamming 103, Lesson List, Mandolin for the violinist, Mixolydian Mode, Music Mechanics, Note Name – Finger Number, One-Room-School-House ORSH, Staff Notation, Style Studies, Wit & Wisdom
Description: This one’s a bit more challenging, but well worth the effort. I personally love the whole Cajun “thang” (see Side Notes below). I honestly do NOT hear this tune much at Pickin’ Parties and jams, but it is pretty cool, and the chords are easy enough to teach others