Black Mountain Rag (fiddle lesson)

Black Mountain Rag is a popular contest tune for both old time and bluegrass players. In this fiddle lesson I give two versions; one in Calico tuning (AEAC#) and one in standard (GDAE). Both involve a section using the double shuffle, also known as hokum bowing or the Orange Blossom Special bowing. I use sheet music on screen, and a free pdf of Black Mountain Rag is available to subscribers (see below). There are plenty more video lessons on bluegrass and old time tunes and techniques elsewhere on The Fiddle Channel.
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
[e-mail]

[@johntait491]

Excellent choice of tune Chris. Well demonstrated and explained. Great comments on the merits (?) of ChatGPT..!! 😉

[@beggargirlsm]

Wonderful stuff Chris 👏

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Sarah!

[@YankeeFiddler13850]

There are Baroque tunes that use 'scordatura' tuning where the music is notated the same, what the fingerings are and not the actual notes.

[@richardhoward7393]

The D tunes up to E. It does not be left aline

[@gretchenmeeks6598]

Great lesson! Wondering why the key signature is in D and the chords are in A?

[@TheFiddleChannel]

I think you're right- It should have three sharps, not two!

[@gretchenmeeks6598]

@@TheFiddleChannel Right on, thanks! Appreciate the reply 😊 halfway through learning it, awesome tune

[@marianbailey9112]

Glad chat GPT isn't there yet😂