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
Archive | Learning Methods
Different ways to learn
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
Sugarfoot Rag
By fiddlejamman on February 18, 2013 in “Tater”, A major, Bluegrass Fiddle, Blues Scale, By Ear, By Feeling, By Key, By Knowledge, By Sight, Cornerstone Styles, Country, Fiddle Tunes, Fiddler’s Tab, Folk Fiddle, Gigger Level, Jammer Level, Jamming 101, Jamming 102, Lesson List, Major Pentatonic Scale, Mixolydian Mode, Note Name – Finger Number, Old Time Fiddle, One-Room-School-House ORSH, Staff Notation, Style Studies
Fiddle Tune Topics: Melody, A Mixolydian, A Blues, A Major Pentatonic, slides, intermediate technical challenges, creating backup parts, improvisation. Description: I like this one. It is decently simple and fairly repetitive. It was taught to me by a friend the old fashioned way… by ear, one note at a time
Angeline the Baker
By fiddlejamman on February 18, 2013 in Artist Level, Bluegrass Fiddle, Blues, By Ear, By Key, By Scale, By Sight, C major, Cajun-Zydeco, Cornerstone Styles, Country, D major, Fiddle Tunes, Fiddler’s Tab, Folk Fiddle, Gigger Level, Isms, Skisms & Hybrids, Jammer Level, Jamming 101, Jamming 102, Lesson List, Major Pentatonic Scale, Memphis Country Blues, Music Philosophy, Note Name – Finger Number, Old Time Fiddle, One-Room-School-House ORSH, Rock, Roots Rock, Staff Notation, Style Studies, Swamp Fiddle, Teacher Training
Hey! That’s not Bluegrass!… yes, that is true… you tell ME what style it is! …a good tune is a good tune, and can be re-interpreted in any number of ways. That’s my good friend Michael Ward Bergman on accordion… we are calling this group “Viordion”!?! Description: One of my