"Apple Blossom" - Dreyer, Shippy, and Shippy - Fiddle Town Campground Jam Session

[@Nevada_Dan]

I'm 62 years old but I still gotta say, "Where have you gals been all my life?!" LOVE YOUR MUSIC!

[@francispotter5300]

Good as a ripe mater off the vine don't get no better 😁 Doug

[@bryanmabe9081]

love your stuff

[@johnsmith-sv1vr]

So much talent! Great tenor play as well!

[@joyoffiddling]

I'm sure you would agree, John, when one attends a fiddle contest or festival these days, it is an embarrassment of riches with many young players performing at a remarkably high caliber. No doubt each of the young women in this video know their way around 4 and 6 strings. But what draws me in when these three play together (there is a fourth...a bass player...who was not able to attend Weiser that year) is what they accomplish musically as a team. They are all in each other's pocket. Their connection to one another during a tune is palpable and that bond is solid from start to finish. Each of them is an individual talent but together they achieve the highest level of cohesion. It is a joy to watch them jam and a thrill to see them complete.

[@rueridge7597]

Really good!!!

[@fiddler0542]

The bowing they talked about is like what classical violinists call "Spiccato" or "Sautille." The characteristics of this technique is that the bow is off the strings. When it touches the strings, it is "Martele." We can see Spicaato used in other tunes, like Forked Deer. By the way, I watched Dreyer play in Crockett Fiddle Contest on KZbin. Her bowing is very smooth and soft. I'm sorry she wasn't able to become a finalist.

[@joyoffiddling]

Appreciate that info, 上田聖司. A lot of folks who visit this channel are violinists curious about fiddling, but most are fiddlers and pickers who started out in the fiddle world and don't necessarily have extensive classical training (like myself) so it's great to get a different insight and perspective. As for Ashley not being a finalist in Crockett, let me just say this about that: Fiddle contests are very subjective things, and preferences for regional style can absolutely come into play depending on the contest and the judges. For example, the greatest living Celtic fiddler may travel to Texas to compete and not even make the first cut in their division. And vice versa with a championTexas style fiddler playing the greatest breakdown ever, but not making the first cut in a contest that favors a fiddler's ability to play an authentic jig. Those are extreme examples and rarely come into play but I have seen it happen a few times first hand. In Ashely's case the situation is perhaps more subtle and nuanced. While she loves Texas style tunes she grew up in the Pacific Northwest and her fiddling is absolutely influenced by her surroundings. And that Pacific Northwest flavor in her playing may not score her points in Crockett which places an emphasis on pure Texas style fiddling. Ashley went to Crockett to compete, of course, but her main reason for going was to play music with her friends, soak up some phenomenal fiddling from some of the best Texas style fiddlers, and have fun. I doubt she ever dwelled on whether or not she was a finalist, but she will never forget the musical memories she made while there. And finally, I'll say this about fiddle contests in general: Anyone going to a fiddle contest expecting 100% fairness, justice, and accuracy is either crazy, or on their way to going crazy. Those who view competition as secondary to jamming with musician friends they may never see except for fiddle contests, will forge the deepest bonds with members of the fiddle family that will yield profound rewards for the soul and create memories that last forever.

[@fiddler0542]

@@joyoffiddling Now I understand the way fiddlers enjoy themselves in contests. Playing with other fiddlers, musicians we haven't known each other, is fun. It's like seeing good old friends after a long time. This is the same thing here in Japan because the people who love this kind of music is fewer than in the U.S. I hope I can see some fiddlers and play together beyond the Pacific someday.

[@joyoffiddling]

​@@fiddler0542 I hope you can make it. One of our favorite fiddle family members from Japan is Akiyasu Sumi who has come to our National Old-time Fiddlers' Championship on a number of occasions. You can easily find videos of him competing on stage there and on his most recent visits he has placed in the Top Five of the Senior Senior Division! Everyone looks forward to seeing him. Consider reaching out to him to learn more about his personal experiences traveling to America and perhaps he can offer advice and insight on making the trip yourself.

[@DavidLaurenceMoffi]

Great!

[@feistyfdlr9761]

Where were the musicians when I was that age and looking to connect and up my playing? Can't deny I envy what they have together while being in awe of it.

[@joyoffiddling]

Hey @feisty fdlr. I could offer you a few answers to your query but it wouldn't change anything and I doubt it would make you feel any better. Not sure what your musical situation is currently, but if you still feel like you are "playing solo", it's never too late to reach out and find like minded folks. I'm willing to wager that individuals just like you are out looking for individuals just like you. As for theses young ladies, yes, what they have is very special. Individually each is a phenomenal musician. But together they make magic.

[@feistyfdlr9761]

@@joyoffiddling yeah, I've not had much success in finding like minded folks who aren't pushing their political hate on others. I stopped going to local jam sessions just before the China Virus took over the world and just listen to music. I hardly practice anymore as the joy of it has been sucked out of fiddling for me. :(

[@joyoffiddling]

Well, @@feistyfdlr9761, let me start by saying my heart goes out to you. The Covid situation has been awful for everyone especially for those who have suffered from it directly either from contracting the virus or losing loved ones to it. Speaking specifically from a musician's standpoint, professional players have suffered financially from the closure of live performance venues. As for the non-professional musicians, they are afflicted in a way that only fellow musicians can fully understand, which is the void felt when denied the ability to play music with others. There is nothing like it and there is nothing to replace it. And for those of us who are fortunate enough under normal circumstances to have jam sessions on a regular basis, this current forced abstinence has been especially challenging. We are all craving that musical fellowship, but we understand that by staying physically apart for the time being, we are keeping ourselves and each other and our families safe. We accept that this unpleasant sacrifice is not meaningless, but will help ensure Covid leaves the building sooner rather than later. As for our current political reality, I hear you loud and clear. The greater fiddle family is a cornucopia of folks from very different backgrounds, financial means, religions, education, and yes, political opinions. I personally have some lifelong friends with whom I do not share political beliefs. But I made a decision early on that I loved them and the music that we make together more than I hate their political ideology. And when we are together to play music, that is what we do. We are pragmatic enough to keep the topic of conversation on music… or any other subject aside from who we voted for in whatever election. As for your heart not being into practicing/playing your instrument, you are not alone in that either. During this past year, many have felt that some of the things that normally gave them pleasure, joy, or meaning in their lives, suddenly lost their magic. This is a tough one, Feisty, and one I'm not qualified to advise anyone on. I can say, however, that my fiddle has been instrumental (no pun intended…or was it? ; ) in helping me navigate these difficult months. It has been a dependable friend in solitude whenever I needed it and I needed it a lot. I have kept my fingers nibble. I have reacquainted myself with old tunes that had slipped through the cracks. And I've tackled new tunes that were on my "to learn" list but did not have time for previously. I have developed a very satisfying relationship with my metronome and there's no doubt in my mind that I am a little bit better fiddler than I was before Covid crashed the party. My hope for you would be that you could reconnect with your joy in this music sooner rather than later, and perhaps consider some ways you might jump start that process on your own. But if the process for you just needs to run its’ course, so be it. Totally understandable. Either way, in the meantime, Feisty… I need you to stay feisty! It's cliché but it's true…This too shall pass. Hope this helps.

[@brandonbentley4677]

Girls play better than boys great playin

[@endoalley680]

Let's just call it "double stop martele". I am looking for the fiddle tabs for this song.

[@joyoffiddling]

Hey Endo. I shared your comment with Ashley and full disclosure, we had to look up what "martele" meant, but her response was..."OMG...That's awesome!" Tabs for "Apple Blossom" should not be difficult to track down. It is wonderful, classic, and endlessly rewarding tune.

[@endoalley680]

@@joyoffiddling Lots of tabs for "Apple Blossom" on the internet. But I must admit the tabs sound a lot like Jack White trying to imitate Paul McCartney.

[@joyoffiddling]

HA!😆 Good one, Endo.

[@endoalley680]

@@joyoffiddling They play this incredibly. Being so young with so much talent, I can only imagine what they will be doing in ten years from now.

[@joyoffiddling]

Me too, Endo. I look forward to watching them. grow as musicians. Hard work and practice are imperative. Talent plays a role as well. But nothing beats a passion for this music and all three of these young ladies have that in abundance.

[@brandonbentley4677]

I want to play rytmne for I just want a friend

[@alan4sure]

You poor young lady with those holes in your pants. I can sew. I will fix them. Sierra Hull has holes in hers too. You can be first though! Nice fiddling BTW.

[@chrispy104k]

Hahahahaha. aint you never heard 'bout fashion?????

[@alan4sure]

@@chrispy104k ain't you ever heard of humour???? hahahaha