There have been several discussions of moving from Clawhammer banjo to Fiddle or raising a compatible fiddler "from scratch". Many of you have enjoyed Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch so here is the fiddle answer. Same tunes, same process for fiddle.
This should be in my hands by early February!
Southern Appalachian native Dan Levenson and Mel Bay Publications present Fiddle from Scratch – An Un-shuffled Guide for the Bow-less!
This book teaches old time fiddle the way we play, not the way others say. It really begins as though you really have NO knowledge of how to play the fiddle in the old time style.
Like Dan’s innovative Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch, this book assumes no prior experience. Beginning at the beginning, Dan presents a brief history of the fiddle then goes over the parts of the fiddle and bow, holding the fiddle and bow, right and left hand positions and basic playing style.
You are guided through the D scale and then the individual notes of each of 12 jam session favorite tunes from scratch. The book concludes by presenting several other keys (G, C, A and A Cross) and tunes in those keys, a discussion of jam etiquette and a discography of 50 important old time fiddle recordings. Includes 2 reference CD’s with all exercises, tunes (slow and up to speed), and a fiddle version of each tune.
Pre-order now at http://clawdan.com/index.php?%2Fproducts%2Ffiddle_from_scratch%2F$30 includes priority postage.
Expected shipping to be early February. I'll let yall know when I get the books in hand and can give you an actual date.
Play Nice,
Dan