Fiddle - Beginning;
Intermediate; Advanced
SKU: MB.30091
Featuring 43 Fiddlers
and 188 of Their
Tunes. Perfect
binding. Folk. Book. 212
pages. Mel Bay
Publications, Inc #30091.
Published by Mel Bay
Publications, Inc
(MB.30091).
ISBN
9781513466378. 8.75 x
11.75
inches.
Appalachian
fiddle music, based on
the musical traditions of
the people who settled in
the mountainous regions
of the southeastern
United States, is
widely-known and played
throughout North America
and parts of Europe
because of its complex
rhythms, its catchy
melodies, and its
often-ancient-sounding
stylistic qualities. The
authors explore the lives
and music of 43 of the
classic Appalachian
fiddlers who were active
during the first half of
the 20th century. Some of
them were recorded
commercially in the
1920s, such as Gid
Tanner, Fiddlin? John
Carson, and Charlie
Bowman. Some were
recorded by folklorists
from the Library of
Congress, such as William
Stepp, Emmett Lundy, and
Marion Reece. Others were
recorded informally by
family members and
visitors, such as John
Salyer, Emma Lee
Dickerson, and Manco
Sneed. All of them played
throughout most of their
lives and influenced the
growth and stylistic
elements of fiddle music
in their regions. Each
fiddler has been given a
chapter with a biography,
several tune
transcriptions, and tune
histories. To show the
richness of the music,
the authors make a
special effort to show
the musical elements in
detail, but also
acknowledge that nothing
can take the place of
listening. Many of the
classic recordings used
in this book can be found
on the web, allowing you
to hear and read the
music together.
Thomas Chapman
