Cross Tuning on the fiddle, aka open tuning or scordatura.Why, how and where?
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- From Appalachia to Norway, and Scotland to the Middle East, cross tuning or scordatura is an essential part of countless fiddle traditions. This mini documentary delves into the history of scordatura, the reasons why it is so useful, and its place within the numerous fiddle traditions. Specific string tunings, such as ADAE, AEAC#, DDAD, AEAE, and GDEE are named and described, some with audio examples.
Much of the text of this video is also found in my book "Exploring Folk Fiddle", published by Schott.
Below are details of further fiddle resources from Chris Haigh
1. Patreon
2. Books
3. Subscription video courses
4. Website
5. Email to request pdf’s.
1. PATREON
This is a platform where anyone can directly help to support creative artists and get closer access to their work. You can join me on Patreon at three levels, for £4, £10 or £40 per month.
At the lowest level you get access to all my pdf’s and tune collections, plus many exclusive tuition videos not available to the public.
At level 2 you can join also me once a month for a group Zoom chat, and can request three backing tracks each month.
Level 3 gives you all the above plus a free lesson once a month, and access to all my backing tracks.
You can find me on Patreon at
/ thefiddlechannel
2. BOOKS
I have eight fiddle tuition books published by Schott, all widely available from the publisher, from Amazon, and many other outlets. All come with audio tracks illustrating the tunes and exercises.
Exploring Jazz Violin
Beginning Jazz Violin
Discovering Rock Violin
Exploring Folk Fiddle
Exploring Klezmer Fiddle
Hungarian Fiddle Tunes
French Fiddle Tunes
Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle
You can order from
bit.ly/31ZWmgm
3. VIDEO SUBSCRIPTION COURSES
I have three video subscription courses
-
MUSIC GURUS- Exploring Jazz Violin. Based on my Schott book
Parts 1 and 2 are each £26 for 26 lessons, covering the first and second halves of the book
Part 1; tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
Part 2 tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Discovering Rock Violin. . Based on my Schott book
£35 for 46 lessons
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle. Based on my Schott book. 31 lessons for £31.99
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
ACADEMY OF FOLK
Includes a folk fiddle primer course, with introductions to basic techniques and concepts plus an Irish Fiddle Course and Scottish fiddle course. A monthly sub of $9.99 gives access to all lessons
academyoffolk....
4. WEBSITE
My website is probably the most extensive and detailed summary of fiddle styles on the web, as evidenced by the range of top hits on Google for many fiddle styles.
www.fiddlingaround.co.uk
____________________________________________________________
TO REQUEST PDF’S, or ask any questions, CONTACT ME AT
haighchris@hotmail.com
Excellent Chris - as someone who uses quite a few alternate tunings on harmonica, this video has a special resonance ;-)
Thanks Brendan!
*Fanitullen* is virtually identical with a tune played in Bihor, Romania, called "Ceasul." I also have it on a Russian record, "At the smithy," indicated as "Odessa style."
That's very interesting. Do you happen to know if they use the same tuning in Romania, and is it common there? It seems to me that to some extent these obscure tunings virtually write the tunes themselves. It could be possible that the same tune could arise separately in different places. Alternatively, to someone who knows the tuning, one hearing would be enough to reproduce something very similar.
Nicely explained. I'm so glad you spoke about the crossed second & third string. I could not figure out what that was about except that some people tie their sneakers weirdly.
Yes, it looks like a thoroughly unnecessary thing to do!
Fascinating documentary. Please do more old time fiddle lessons sir. Thank you, Greg
Hi Gregory. Many thanks. I'm planning a documentary asking the question- what's really the difference between old time and bluegrass. A simple question, often answered very simply, but I think there's a very interesting story to be told!
@@TheFiddleChannel Oh yes, I love both of those styles OT and BG. I grew up listening to those great old tunes on AM radio when I was just a kid. And I'll never forget the Grand Old Opry of course. Thanks again for all of your help Chris!
well done. fascinating survey.
Thanks Russ!
@@TheFiddleChannel I just remembered hearing a story about Henry Reed. Not sure of the source. Probably Alan Jabbour. Henry was asked why he played everything in standard tuning. He explained that when he played in the mining camps of West Virginia a crowd of drunken miners was not going to wait patiently while he retuned.
@@delhatton Great story!
Very interesting, thanks for putting this together.
Open tunning is used by many hard and soft rock tunes from zeppelin to Fleetwood mac
I presume you're talking here about guitar, not violin?
Banjos are hard to tune up to A you may have to use a capo. Banjo is easiest to play in G or C (or you can tune down to F, Bb or even E, B). I’m a banjo player but am interested in the fiddle - fiddle is a lot more challenging to play !
Thank you so much for this!! So good to hear about its use in Middle Eastern & Klezmer music, I had no idea. Keep the great videos coming!
Many thanks Joe!
sorry to be so offtopic but does any of you know of a method to get back into an instagram account..?
I stupidly forgot the account password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me!
@Cairo Kayden instablaster =)
@Ephraim Wells i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now.
Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Ephraim Wells It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thanks so much you saved my ass!
Really informative Chris and with excellent footage and pics. I'll side with Scott Skinner on this one..!! Black Mountain Rag in standard tuning..!! ;-)
Thanks John!
Excellent explanation
Thanks Allan!
Thank you for broadening my tuning horizons by a few continents! I knew about the Scots and US tunings, but had zero idea about anything else. I'll have to give GgDd a try sometime! Btw my favorite alternate tuning so far is EbBbFC. Hard to keep it in tune, but sounds great. According to Mitch Reed, it is used in Louisiana creole music.
Hi Brendan. Glad you enjoyed this. Your Louisiana tuning is certainly a weird one!
Drunken Hiccups tuning? That's funny.
When I tried to tighten a string once it groaned rudely. I hated the sound.
🤣
What tuning is “jai ete au bal by Dewey Balfa
Thanks
Hi. Paul. If you're referring to the version where he uses fiddlesticks, I'm pretty sure it's GDGB.
@@TheFiddleChannel
Thank!!
Yes that one!
I play with tunings on my guitar a lot for fun, but I feel nervous as a new fiddle player as I've heard so much about how sensitive and delicate violins are. Do you pay much mind to that when experimenting and playing with different tunings?
Yes, I'm always nervous about it , and usually use a spare fiddle for retuning. Tuning down isn't so bad, but I hate tuning up. I think other players are much more relaxed about it.
@@TheFiddleChannel thankyou for the answer and the video :)
Thank you, Now I know enough not to go there ...
LOL!