Ashokan Farewell | Basic Fiddle Lesson

Learn the tune with sheet music, fiddle tabs & audio here: fiddlehed.co/ashokan
FiddleHed is the fun way to learn fiddling online 🎻🤓
Play every day, have fun and thanks for making music 🙏
Jason 🎻

[@mariannebickerton6944]

Dear Jason: Retiree, age 66. Alone and confined to quarantine on Easter morning, far from my family, your video brought me comfort and peace. Thank you for the gift of this lesson. Your calm, pleasant voice and clear instruction were extremely helpful.

[@fiddl3hed]

Marianne Bickerton Glad you enjoyed it in your Easter Day, fiddling can brighten even the sullen of days. Keep it up.

[@peggygarcia6125]

I watch just to cheer myself up

[@davesiler4064]

I am 72 years old, just starting "fiddle" lessons and am learning this wonderful tune. This just like having my teacher "all the time." Thanks for this wonderful lesson!!!!!

[@fiddl3hed]

Dave Siler So happy you chose to fiddle with us🙏. Keep up the great work🙌

[@carmentucker3848]

I am starting too at 63 years old! I get it

[@Nancytoday]

Twelve years of it and finally sounding good. Thanks.

[@yvonmartin4447]

i am 74 and i beginn to play fiddle with 59 years old

[@kamalroy6858]

I am also 72 and started learning from you today (12/6/24) Thank you very much for such beautiful tutorial and that too free of cost, no can imagine better than this

[@debhilton5627]

Jason, your tone is magic.

[@This_Old_Man_Prays]

I really like this. Been playing it all day long. My neighbors are probably goings nuts by now.

[@catrenialynn]

I used to be a Civil War reenactor back before my husband got MS. I played fiddle in a CW band. This one was always a favorite to play and for the listeners as well.

[@rockydenard7577]

Best teacher on the internet!!

[@jasonkleinberg9790]

Thanks sir!

[@kj2597]

I am so excited to have just discovered this video. I may now feel brave enough to re-learn to play my violin after not touching it for 50 years !! Thank you !

[@fiddl3hed]

kj, you're welcome. It's great to hear you are playing again. Keep it up! Remember, you will get better by playing! Hope my videos can help. Cheers!

[@dragnflei]

Absolutely love this tune and very excited to find this tutorial. Ungar actually composed this piece to commemorate the end of the 1982 session of the Ashokan dance camp that he and Molly Mason were running. According to Ungar, Ken Burns heard the tune in 1984 after he and Mason had recorded it and asked permission to use it in the series. They said yes and the rest is history....

[@fiddl3hed]

dragnflei Facinating! Thanks for the kind words and history lesson🙏🏼

[@liamdowling9122]

I love that tune, at 75 yrs , you have given me a life of music back, as I have lost my singing voice. And ❤️ the history behind that tune. Thank you, Best wishes from Ireland 🇮🇪 . Go raibh maith agit, slàn.

[@fiddl3hed]

That's amazing. I feel chills knowing that this little video had an impact on your life 😍

[@siggesaltens2663]

I strongly agree with Dave : this an absolute great way of teaching.I am 76 years of age, fiddling over here in Denmark. Thanks so much for taking the trouble, esp the "crown jewell" part. Mamma Mia!

[@debbieh405]

Thank you so much for all your lessons you are very encouraging at 52 I have started to learn the fiddle so never to old to start your a great tutor!

[@stardustgirl2904]

I love the innocence of tonal quality here, it's pure in it's form! I love it! It has a HEAVENLY quality as well!!

[@fiddl3hed]

stardustgirl Heavenly indeed!

[@slimpickensrx]

thank you fiddlehead! this is great! I've been wanting to learn this for awhile now. I used to love this tune in the Civil War series by ken burns. My parents will be impressed when I bust this out next time I'm home

[@jack002tuber]

A wonderful tune perfectly taught!

[@susart7]

You have FINALLY unlocked the B part for me with all the correct notes! Thank you, Fiddlehead!

[@rainking63]

I can't tell you how much your videos have helped me learn! I've been playing guitar for 30 years and picked up the fiddle 8 months ago. Your methodical process has helped me SO MUCH! Keep up the good work my friend.

[@hobbescacy3984]

I love this channel. I haven’t been playing long, and these tutorials are immensely helpful.

[@joynjrny]

Such a beautiful tune! Thanks for posting a lesson and tabs on it. With your help, I hope to be so good as to make my fiddle weep.

[@fiddl3hed]

You're most welcome...

[@Zpostate]

Thank you so much for this. I'm a total noob, just been playing for a couple months, but after much practice I just played this tune through from start to finish. Really makes me feel like I will be able to get a grip on this instrument with enough practice. You're a great teacher, thanks!

[@americanboondocks]

@fiddlehed What a great lesson on a beautiful song. I was able to play the whole thing with this. I've had my fiddle just 6 weeks and because of personal instruction, KZbin, and many hours of practicing I am able to play full songs like this one. No fast songs yet though. Thanks for putting this out!

[@jennyfolk9494]

Oh man, I LOVE this song (and the Ken Burns series) Thank you.

[@fiddl3hed]

Sorry to take so long to answer, Jenny. You're welcome! :)

[@vinfiddler5469]

Thank you once again. One of my favorites. So helpful.

[@fiddl3hed]

Nice.

[@randycox7749]

Hey! I'm getting it! Thank you FiddleHed.

[@kathleensuitt4316]

Love these lessons!!!

[@decaturmoore4259]

This is honestly probably my favorite fiddle tune ever!! I appreciate you taking your time and teaching it!! I love your channel!!

[@fiddl3hed]

Beautiful tune...thanks for the kind words. Cheers.

[@celticfiddles6988]

Thanks a million four fantastic lesson. 👏

[@Livhis]

Beautiful!!! LOVE this song. I've had the sheet music for years...just ordered my new violin! I look forward to watching more of your videos!

[@fiddl3hed]

Karen Szatkowski Excellent Karen. Keep up the good work.

[@TestingRDP]

Thanks you so much for doing a video on Ashokan Farewell. I love this song.

[@fiddl3hed]

TestingRDP Glad you like it!!

[@davesiler4064]

thank you for this lovely gift!!!

[@fiddl3hed]

Dave Siler You’re very welcome 🙌🙏🎻

[@penztoy]

I don't read music very well at all, just need to concentrate more, but your technique is AWESOME! I learned the first half in one day! It sounds divine on my 5 string electric violin. Thank you for your time and patience with us (I'm a 3rd year begineer) and this helps me stay focused and progressing.

[@foreverchasingthesunsets5842]

Thank you Jason! i got to learn this great tune in a couple of days of practising and following your video. I start lessons again next Saturday as I really want to learn how to read music! I will try to pretty this tune up with your next video. I love this beautiful waltz!

[@fiddl3hed]

Kimberley Derowin Excellent! Like a fish to water! Keep it up!

[@arifurrahaman3711]

Great lesson and great tune 👍

[@jagsdomain203]

I have been plying about 8 months. Its been up and down. Thank you for going through this so well!

[@cweeks5211]

This is fantastic! Thank you. Such a great adjunct to learning classical stuff. :)

[@fiddl3hed]

Lovely to hear this, C Weeks. Yes, great point, they support one another well.

[@rdollison37]

Thanks this has helped me learn how to play this song.

[@shmoopadnos5699]

....this is such a pretty and haunting song...it just seems to speak to your soul....thanks for the lessons..advanced people were learning this at mark conner fiddle camp when i was starting and i got a copy of the sheet music and just plugged away little by little...looping

[@fiddl3hed]

This is the kind of tune that makes you want to play. You are very welcome!

[@nancyosborne2816]

Just finding this tune from the new drone lesson. Love it. Thanks Jason 😃🎻

[@fiddl3hed]

Nancy, this has become a fiddle favorite since Ken Burns used it in his series on the Civil War. Glad you like it.

[@TheBanjoFlyBoy]

Great job Mr. FiddleHed! I'm a beginner, but I think the first A2 in the first quarter of the B part should be a D2 in the TAB. I've been sawing on the fiddle for almost 2 months and this is the 8th tune of your's I've learned. Thanks; "check's in the mail"

[@KaiTakApproach]

You are the man. Thanks!

[@fiddl3hed]

you're welcome :)

[@SomerledDesign]

Thank you. I was having trouble with the rhythms and you have nailed it for me. I just purchased the sheet music last night and I can almost play it. :-) Love your teaching method. Kevin

[@fiddl3hed]

Thanks!!!

[@lindathompson195]

That was so beautiful and so helpful. Thank you so very much.

[@fiddl3hed]

+Linda Thompson you're welcome :)

[@MangAiren]

I love this tune!!!i cant pick between the swallowtail jig, the tennessee waltz or this one, so im just learning all 3. such an awesome guy, thank you!!

[@fiddl3hed]

Thank you and you are very welcome.

[@rwandrew077]

I've been working on this for a very long time and just never 'felt' right...I listened to your video and realized that I had a few points wrong...many thanks... Oh and straight out of Wikipedia: ""Ashokan Farewell" was composed by Jay Ungar in 1982. It has served as a goodnight or farewell waltz at the annual Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camps, run by the composer and his wife (Molly Mason, who gave the tune its name) at the lakefront campus (near Ashokan Reservoir) of the State University of New York at New Paltz. The tune was later used as the title theme of the 1990 PBS television miniseries The Civil War, by Ken Burns, as well as the 1991 compilation album Songs of the Civil War." Many thanks!

[@arfyf6314]

Thanks Jason. Always really appreciate your videos, they’re super helpful and you have such a personable and manageable approach (for we late starters 😂). Love all your exercises too. It happens to be Christmas Eve, so thanks again and have a really happy Christmas. Look forward to more lessons in 2024. 🎻👍🌈

[@fiddl3hed]

So nice to hear from you. Your sharing is real nice to hear. Thanks for fiddling with us 🙏🏼🎶 💙 Happy Fiddlemas We have a guide available you may enjoy: fiddlehed.com/blog/how-to-play-violin-an-illustrated-beginners-guide-fiddlehed/

[@guitarrachannel7315]

Even the basic stripped down lesson for this song brings tears to my eyes.

[@fiddl3hed]

Beautiful tune even if you never saw the Ken Burns series.

[@iammrsmckee2446]

Thank you! I used to play when I was a kid. My fiddle teacher is super old and may even be dead by now. I am trying to learn again in my more mature years and wish I had never quit. Thanks for your videos they are encouraging me to try.

[@fiddl3hed]

Never too late to start again! You just need to play every day and not give up. Learn to make practice fun and productive...

[@luciamagee5994]

This song came out in Ken Burn’s Civil War documentary as I was a few years into fiddle lessons as a kid in Austin. I was mesmerized. I had to learn it. Now, 30 years later and living in Ken Burns’ stomping ground, it’s this tune that drew me back to the fiddle after dropping it at 15. I am so happy to come across this video-so clear. I love how you build up the skill, measure by measure. I am so grateful this is the first tutorial I opened. I am curious if bow direction is relevant. I guess I’ll find out in the next Ashokan video. I’m looking into your online lessons. Thank you so much!

[@fiddl3hed]

Thanks Lucia

[@luciamagee5994]

And...just found out from my husband that your band played at our club Amnesia in SF many times. The serendipity of it all ;)

[@fiddl3hed]

I love Amnesia! Played there with Diego's Umbrella, 86 the Band...maybe the Pine Box Boys too. Best to you,

[@chrisedy9116]

Great teacher Slow for us slow learners Great

[@visualtrigger2469]

Just fantastic!

[@fiddl3hed]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vinfiddler5469]

So glad I found you. Thank you so much. I've been playing along with this song for practice since I started a few years ago. I see a few notes I've been missing. Your videos are helping and will definitely improve my level of playing. You have a great style of teaching.

[@fiddl3hed]

Vincent, I started a subscriber site at fiddlehed.com last year. The KZbin lessons will continue to be available but the site has guided lessons with tabs, play alongs, etc. You can have free access to the site for the forum, blog, request list and the first few beginner lessons. There is also a Fiddlehed Facebook page. Let me repeat, the free KZbin videos (hundreds of them) will still be out there but depending on what your goals are, you might find the site helpful. Cheers.

[@vinfiddler5469]

FiddleHed thank you. I see a way to support what you do also and would like to help support. Also have told fellow musicians about you..

[@fiddl3hed]

Thank you for your support, Vincent.

[@kellyldavis652]

Very pretty song!

[@fiddl3hed]

Kelly L Davis Thank Kelly, we think so too!

[@fiddl3hed]

Thanks Kevin!

[@gailvcrawford2476]

Brilliant tuition THANKYOU

[@fiddl3hed]

You are very welcome, Gail!

[@juddeemaxwell7590]

Great tune.

[@fiddl3hed]

juddee maxwell Thank you 🙏🏼

[@sarahbrown7392]

Part B: D-2-3, A-0, D-2-0, A-3-0-0-1-2-3-0, D-2-1

[@stjohnsclaycollective1302]

lovely tune

[@fiddl3hed]

Yes. Even if you didn't see the series by Ken Burns.

[@curiobill]

Thank you!

[@fiddl3hed]

+Curiobill you're welcome :)

[@briano7053]

Its great that you played that without your little finger,,,I was worried that I would need to use that little boy and it put me off somewhat,,,great stuff,,,thanks

[@fiddl3hed]

Brian, so this is the thing about that little finger. Many fiddlers never develop it. You can play tunes without using it but there are some sounds you will never get out of the fiddle if you can't use it. Some tunes just sound great if you can use the 4th finger on the A string while playing open E string. (as an example of what I mean) It accents the note. You don't have to do it but it sounds so great sometimes. It is not hard. Just takes practice. That little finger, unless it has other issues, just needs to get stronger and you have to get more comfortable using it. Do some exercises where you just play open-1-2-3-4, 4-3-2-1-open (fingers) on the same string. Or practice your scales slowly using the 4th finger instead of the open string when you play the scales. Don't worry about speed. Again, not necessary to have it but it can add to the sound of the tune. Don't mean to be pushy here. Cheers.

[@s.larissa8923]

THANK YOU YOU HELPED ME PASS MY FINAL EXAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fiddl3hed]

amy lamey That is fantastic news! Keep up the good work Amy!

[@Weslag1]

You have quite a few very good videos up here, but you should note that this tune wasn't written for "The Civil War". It was written in 1982, 8 years before Burns did his documentary. Burns heard the tune in 1984 and kept it in mind, eventually using it in his 1990 documentary. It was written one year at the close of Ungar's yearly Fiddle & Dance camp at The Ashokan Center in The Catskills, by the Ashokan Reservoir, the primary water source for New York City. The reservoir was formed by covering several small villages, Ashokan being the largest of them, and one of the few to be moved instead of simply abandoned..

[@fiddl3hed]

Thanks for the update.

[@sncard777]

As always great job. Do you use a flattened bridge? What strings would you recommend for fiddling.?

[@kamalroy6858]

Subscribed and liked

[@michellepoutre7913]

Dude! I love learning tunes from you! I have subscribed. During the Covid Pandemic I swore I was going to re-teach myself the violin. (I was first chair in 3rd & 4th grade, then we moved and couldn't get more lessons so I lost it all. Or so I thought). It has been a long slog relearning scales and bowing technique. But today, I found your youtube and have easily practiced more than an hour solid, and didn't even realize it! I can't wait to learn more tunes from you. A question: do you do personalized zoom/skype lessons, and if so, what are your rates? I have a pretty fair ear, and can pick up at least the bones of many tunes, but sometimes, a phrase eludes me, as in the B part of Ashokan. It is for this reason I ask my question. :o) Best regards and thanks for the lesson!

[@siggesaltens2663]

HELLO DEAR FIDDLER GURU. HOPE YOYRE GOOD SALUTATIONS FROM DENMARK.

[@Joehle1]

Cannot find the fingering you mentioned. So beautiful your an incredible instructor thank you❤

[@michaelpreston233]

I love that Tune ! I was wondering if that was an actual civil war Ballad.

[@dragnflei]

michael preston No, it’s not although because it featured so prominently in Ken Burns’ Civil War that many people think so. It’s a beautiful tune, isn’t it?

[@elizabethglasbergen2035]

ahh thanks for this! i would like to 2nd lovers waltz!

[@fiddl3hed]

You're welcome.

[@russcastella]

Ugh. I want to learn this so bad. Just got to get to intermediate level first 😂 I shall be back here soon

[@fiddl3hed]

Castella.of.1hp Practice, practice, practice. You’ll get there👍

[@911lisagibb]

Your fiddle is visually beautiful with it’s shiny finish and subtle color plus has a very sweet sounding tune when you play. May I ask what make of violin is it and how long have you had it. You have mastered it well.

[@lukepooop]

Thanks again. Very beautiful. One missing D in the first quarter of the B part of the tabs, right after the A0

[@fiddl3hed]

Thanks much Maria

[@kimdelavere4984]

Hey Mr Fiddlehed! Any chance of some suggestions for a few basic backup guitar chords for this song to play along with? You are awesome!!Thanks!

[@fiddl3hed]

go here: www.jkleinberg.com/fiddlehed/Ashokan.Farewell.html

[@DLxFC]

How do you get the white things on the neck I can't seem to get it right

[@a.davidh]

where are the tabs? i don't see them in the comments?

[@deniseg6023]

can you play an old irish lament called the coolin? i think you would play it beautifully

[@fiddl3hed]

Denise, to make a request, please go to Fiddlehed.com. If you are not a subscriber, click on the button, Free Lessons. On the banner, click on the word, FORUM. There is a thread in there called Make a Request. Please enter it there so I can track it. Thanks.

[@trinaryan1071]

Hi there, I love this song and am following your video! Would you happen to have the notes already written down? If not, I will try to follow along and write them out! Thank you so much!!!

[@darreljohnwhite5362]

Very nice!! Can you please play sitting bull its a hard one to learn?

[@fiddl3hed]

I've added it to our request list, thanks :)

[@waynechurchill7212]

Iam 65 great lesson

[@1430sl]

your fiddle sounds great. What trade mark is? VEry thanks for yours tutorials! ;)

[@fiddl3hed]

Thanks. K & L Stradivarius copy. You are very welcome.

[@gordonquinlan6596]

You recommend the cremona 800. Is that what you're playing? Sounds so great !!!

[@fiddl3hed]

No. I play a K and L Stradivarius copy.

[@jagsdomain203]

Question about fingering 2 phrase. My copy starts with 2 finger. do you have a different copy? Your sounds better!

[@tafinley1]

Would you consider teaching the waltz called La Golodrina love your teaching

[@fiddl3hed]

Tom, I'll put it on the request list. I have limited time to create content so i tend to do tunes that have many requests. It will be on the list, though. Thanks for the feedback!

[@jacobreufstra4394]

Thanks Fiddlehed , you are briljant ! it really helps me in my playing , can i do a request ? if you would like to do it ? i love the tune Lovers waltz.. greeting from the Netherlands ! Renny

[@fiddl3hed]

+Renny Reuvers you're welcome :) i'll put lover's waltz on the to-do list.

[@suzieperrott2429]

I have used your lesson on Ashokan Farewell and have enjoyed getting better. I wish us Australians could subscribe to your lessons, but they are just so expensive for us in Australian dollars once the tax and exchange is completed. So disappointed as your lessons are so good.

[@fiddl3hed]

Suzie, great you enjoy the lessons. The full lesson for this tune is available on the Fiddlehed website, open to all: fiddlehed.com/courses/intermediate-fiddle-lessons/2-8-raised-third-finger/ashokan-farewell/ We will consider what you mentioned about the Australian cost transfer, thank you for mentioning this experience.

[@fiddl3hed]

Suzie Perrott, please email us at [e-mail] to discuss this further. Thanks for reaching out.

[@wallyaho3837]

You are so good! Where do I send money? I am 78 year old beginner (one year). It would be helpful to move camera back from time to time so the bow strokes can be seen. Thanks for all your help.

[@leepicker67]

Dear Fiddlehed: I believe that the left hand tabs for the first quarter of the B part are in error. You have the first quarter B part beginning with (D2-3)-A0-2, where as in the video you actually play these four notes as: (D2-3)-A0-D2. Thus, I think the first quarter B part should read (D2-3)-A0-D2-0-A3-0-0-1-2-3-0-D2-1. At any rate, I really enjoy your teaching videos, and you are a very good teacher. I just turned 73 on 11-Feb-2017 and my daughter ordered me a very nice Ceclio 4/4 1BK electric violin for my birthday, which I received on 16-Feb-2017. I have been practicing every day since then using your excellent videos. I have never played the violin, but I did play the trumpet in my high-school days and also dabbled with the piano in my late 30's, so I can read music. As for the tune Ashokan Farewell, it is one of my favorite violin tunes, as I am a Civil War buff and have listen to the Civil War music track from Ken Burn's production hundreds of times. Just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your lessons and am confident the that, even at 73-years-old I can learn to play the instrument.

[@fiddl3hed]

Thanks for comment. I need to fix that. You are at a great age to be playing music. Glad you found the channel and it is useful. Keep at it. You will get better if you do. Cheers.

[@randycox7749]

Where are the fingering charts?

[@jasminen273]

Would you mind explaining what “to loop” means? Thank you!

[@fiddl3hed]

Hello @jasminen273, thanks for reaching out. 🙏🏿 Looping can simply mean repeating a section over and over, similar to what is done for the 1st quarter of this song at the 5:55 time mark. Here is a post with more ideas around looping: fiddlehed.com/blog/practice-loops/

[@marionskaufel7515]

I am sorry but i don't seem to be able to find the fingering chart you referenced while giving this lesson. I would love to be able to learn this tune and I am having a hard time following your visual demonstration....Again, my apologies.

[@kathleenkeane4364]

What are the letter notes for this tune, do i have to join some place.

[@fiddl3hed]

Thanks for inquiring and your interest. 🙂 The full lesson for this song is on fiddlehed.com We offer a trial membership to the FiddleHed course where you can check out the lessons for a couple weeks. You may also want to check out our how to play violin guide: fiddlehed.com/blog/how-to-play-violin-an-illustrated-beginners-guide-fiddlehed/

[@jeffbowyer2739]

It was not written for the documentary!

[@starrwarndahl401]

Is there a music sheet for this beautiful song?

[@fiddl3hed]

Hi @starrwarndahl401. Thanks for asking. Fiddlehed has sheet music available through the website. You can access it by signing up for a free trial. Sign up here: fiddlehed.com

[@deltafour1212]

I hear a vibrato now and then in your playing yet your finger rarely moves. Are you doing a trill or an actual vibrato or am I just hearing things? Would like to see more on your technique. HMMM.. potential future video lesson?

[@Skinny_Karlos]

'Pick up' or 'anacrusis' - take your pick.

[@robertaadams6561]

Can I get all the fingering please? I use to play this all the time, but lost my way. Would appreciate entire song fingering. Thank you!

[@hanvyj2]

For my future self. Play along starts at 22:18

[@kieranmilne7050]

This is where Im at with this tune, Im having a bit of scratchy bow when playing slower tempo songs and Ive only been playing since the beginning of Jan so not sure how to remedy it. Any advice would be much appreciated! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYGbgKlpgcafj8k

[@elmdale3]

Dude, your playing and intent is not so bad. Do some research on the history of the tune, 'twas written long before the documentary (watch Jay Ungar's video) also learn to say his name properly.