Fiddle Chopping from scratch. Nine great grooves for rock, funk, jazz, latin and bluegrass.

In this fiddle tutorial, I describe and demonstrate fiddle chopping or, "the chop", from the most basic single chop to some complex funky grooves. I refer to numerous other fiddle chopping videos, particularly those by Casey Driessen and Darol Anger.
I discuss the appropriateness of chopping in various contexts, and warn about the dangers of over-doing it.
After explaining the history of chopping and the basic principles, I show 8 different chopping grooves;
1. The Casey Driessen Baseline Chop
2. The basic rock groove
3. The melodic rock groove
4 The threes pattern
5. The Bo Diddley pattern
6. The basic Latin groove
7. The Clave
8. Marvin's Groove
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]

[@Badgermanpeveril]

This is exactly what I have been looking for, brilliant!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Darren

[@surfmacsurf]

what a man , best tutorial of the chop i ve seen yet , great playing

[@maggiemartin1422]

Thanks Chris, I think there’s enough there to keep me busy for a month! Or I might just try balancing a fish on my head!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

You'll find the fish is easier!

[@Nuna.15]

Огромное спасибо за ваш труд! Это было действительно невероятно полезное видео🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉!

[@arulbedarakung7958]

Thank you master...🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@johntait491]

Fabulous..!! Thank you for the very interesting background information. You've done a marvelous job in the research and in learning the various techniques. Thank you.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks John. I've got another video next week explaining all the background to chopping.

[@johntait491]

@@TheFiddleChannel Yes, I've been "banging away" with the Bog Standard Chop. I never knew there was so much in it..!! After a couple of reds it's OK..!! ;-)

[@Sheilaru43]

How can I improve my rhythm? The off beat is hard for me to maintain (along with the fingering and the bowing and the chords, etc., etc.). My baby steps grow into gargantuan leaps and I get nowhere.)

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Maybe just concentrate on the simple pattern (du ku CHACK a), and do it along with a metronome?

[@dianebrown3897]

Oh my goodness, this is great. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful talent and helping those of us who are struggling to get better.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks so much Diane!

[@michabiaowas-fiddlerskrzyp5240]

This Man have a True Violon Passion...

[@drgerni]

Funny, I mastered that crap day one.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Impressive- it took me about five years!

[@phber]

Great video, deserves more views!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks!

[@JimViolin]

Good video, Chris, and very informative! What was especially helpful was the aerial view of your bow motion on the strings.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks!

[@michabiaowas-fiddlerskrzyp5240]

Great 🎻 it s imcredible how many perfect notes use it on this song Congratulate.

[@andypastor4693]

Even waiting for this video, and definitely worth the wait ! Probably the most comprehensive video on this topic. Love all the examples, has me thinking of songs to apply them to. Thanks and keep up the fantastic work !

[@hamwhacker]

I thought you said “shopping”! Actually I think this is a BRILLIANT video. I am completely new to this and struggle to understand the concept but the way YOU explain at least makes it possible to set out on the right path and believe in yourself. Still early days for me on this cool bowing technique. THANK YOU!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

😂

[@michelmailhiot4848]

Vous êtes une belle découverte pour mon évolution

[@monikawarich8861]

Great video and very helpful indeed! But who on earth put in that atrocious German "translation"? Chopping is translated as shopping (einkaufen), chop as Kotelett (pork chop) and notes as Notizen, meaning a written notes, among other blunders. Probably a computer?

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Monika. Glad you enjoyed the video. I am confused about the German. Has someone done a version with German subtitles? If so they didn't ask me or tell me! Can you send me a link to what you saw?

[@gwendolynkaren5933]

Back again. Try that chopping again. I'm feeling strong today and in the mood for some more punishment. 😊

[@TheFiddleChannel]

🪓🪓🪓🪓⛏💥

[@robertkeirs1672]

Chris could you work the fiddle (violin) for Peregrina Thanks

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Robert. That's a very romantic song! I will consider it.

[@fedelmahi5028]

Hi Chris! Can you share the score of the last playing please! Thanks for you great videos.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi. Unfortunately the last section was entirely improvised, so I don't have a score for that part.

[@largentin100]

lets train! Many thanks

[@ilovevnmusic]

Thank you very much! It was a great help for concert practice . Amazing! thank you very much teacher!!😊

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Alisa. Now you can amaze and annoy your friends in equal measure!

[@gordwilkes]

What an outstanding tutorial... Thank you.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Many thanks!

[@nickcheetham]

You said I’d find this useful when I asked the question about “pub” accompaniment. Excellent. Thanks Chris.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Once you start choppin', there's no stoppin'!

[@amylarki]

Thank you so much for this! I'm kinda stuck in a cave taking care of my old Mum. Looking for inspiration, and trying to learn the darn chop. Many of the videos go from min-numbingly basic to apparently impossible (but send $ and we'll show how to do it, really). So maybe I'll get there eventually if I keep at it every day. I also very much appreciated the history and etiquette lessons. (I am a little afraid that once I gain even a tiny competence, I'll be doing it all the time. Like the guy with spoons at a session. Must try to remain tasteful.)

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Amy. I'm glad you found this useful! Chopping has certainly revolutionised my playing, and made the role of accompanist much more enjoyable for myself (if possibly not for everyone else!)

[@kiboards1830]

it doesnt seem like my bow "catches" the strings nearly as easily as yours does, or anyone i see chopping. i put a lot, to a little amount of quality rosin on my bow and still no luck. i have to press so hard it makes it seem like im not doing it right. any thoughts?

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Maybe you're not playing right at the heel of the bow, or maybe you have a cheap bow? The key is to hold the bow down hard after chopping down, and then there should be a distinct sound as you release it.

[@lucius79blues]

My wrist hurts¡ but thanks a lot teacher, I tell you something, since I started to watch your lessons I feel more comfartable with the violin¡, recently started whit violin about 6 months ago , thanks a lot Chris ¡

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Lucis, I'm delighted that I'm able to help you with my videos.

[@ritabeazley5481]

That was Ace! I've been wanting to do this sort of thing also.....thought you were going into the Batman theme when you started clave lol! Many thanks think I'm gonna be the cross eyed fiddler for a while learning this Xx

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Rita. Just remember, once you chop, you can't stop!

[@fiddler0542]

This is one of my favorite clips on your channel!!!!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks. I think my enthusiasm was brimming over!

[@Artcarnie]

Excellent simple explanation! You've go you mute on.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi John, Thanks. The mute sites on the strings behind the bridge.Sometimes it slips down to the bridge, but it wasn't on!

[@phber]

Thanks alot! This video has some great exercises that other chopping tutorials are missing!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Philip!

[@songsabai3794]

Really good detailed analysis - Thanks so much!!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@michelmailhiot4848]

Merci

[@DrEric-kp8tf]

Will the chop sound more pronounced if you are amplified? It appears I am doing it correctly (5:50 mark) but when I chop it does not sound as pronounced, it is a bit quiet.....and I am not amplified....I just purchased my fiddle and do not have amplification as of yet.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Eric. Amplification will of course make it louder, but you should be able to achieve what you want just with technique; plenty of force and accuracy in the right hand, playing right at the heel, and having plenty of rosin. And don't be fooled by the fact that it looks easy. It isn't!

[@DrEric-kp8tf]

@@TheFiddleChannel You sure do make it look easy! Thanks for the tip, love your channel and taste in music. Cheers!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

@@DrEric-kp8tf Thanks Eric!

[@nacruof]

Merci infiniment Chris pour toutes tes excellentes vidéos et ton talent très motivant !

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Merci Jerome!

[@fizihkull]

Every video you put together is gold. Thanks again! I really love your teaching style.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Many thanks Christopher!. As long as people keep watching, I'll keep making them.

[@toddley2939]

​@@TheFiddleChannel17:07

[@stevelloyd9344]

i LOVE IT CHRIS

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Steve!