Star of the County Down (fiddle lesson)

Star of the County Down is a song mostly associated with Ireland, though also with British roots. In this fiddle lesson I show two versions; firstly a waltz/air version, then a 2/4 march, as performed by The Chieftains with Van Morrison. I illustrate various fiddle ornaments, including the hammer-on, the drone and the cut, all of which help to give the tune an authentic Irish feel.
I use on screen sheet music, and a free pdf copy of The Star of the County Down is available on request to anyone who subscribes to the channel.
There are plenty more tuition videos of Irish tunes 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 help 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 a backing track once a 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 seven 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; tinyurl.com/49tfk5ef
Part 2 tinyurl.com/23atebfc
-MUSIC GURUS Discovering Rock Violin. . Based on my Schott book
£35 for 46 lessons
tinyurl.com/2ua2kuxh
ACADEMY OF FOLK
Includes a folk fiddle primer course, with introductions to basic techniques and concepts plus an Irish Fiddle Course. A monthly sub of $9.99 gives access to all lessons
academyoffolk.com/
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]

[@donnaball1960]

First heard this at granddaughters school concert. Beautiful tune. Had to learn it.

[@joeharris8574]

Another good lesson Chris, thanks.

[@joanroco70]

I was hoping you'd do a video on this song!!!!!

[@kolober2045]

Mormons adapted this tune to a hymn called "If you could hie to Kolob", which is the only way I've known it until I watched this video. Fascinating lyrics if you ever want to know some of their more obscure beliefs. Definitely more beautiful on a fiddle than a church organ.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Kolober. I presume your hymn is the 3/4 version?

[@toniavanderhelm6536]

Beautiful as a waltz - I've only heard the march in sessions. Thanks so much! Is this one up on patreon?

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Tonia. Glad you liked it! It's not on Patreon- would you like the pdf?

[@toniavanderhelm6536]

@@TheFiddleChannel yes please! I'll send you an email

[@philipbryan4598]

Are you playing a large violin or a viola?

[@TheFiddleChannel]

No, just a standard violin!

[@philipbryan4598]

Thanks

[@beingsshepherd]

Thought that was Julian Assange in the thumbnail image.