10 tips for playing fiddle with a singer.

Even top class fiddlers or violinists can be completely stumped when asked to accompany a singer. It's an art in itself and requires quite a different set of skills to purely instrumental performance. In this video I offer ten tips for how to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone concerned!
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 rack 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 (due out October 2021)
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 and Scottish 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]

[@andypastor4693]

Totally agree on every tip. It’s about the singer first. Even too much chopping gets in the way , as you said.

[@MarchiWozniak]

You have a great sound. very useful many thanks for the lesson 👍👍👍

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Glad you found this useful!

[@peskycritter6580]

Superb thanks Chris, bought the folk and jazz books, learning so much, these vids the icing on the cake, and its great however serious the lesson you find the funny side, a must in my book...its got to be fun!

[@mrtziganarama]

Many thanks!

[@nickcheetham]

Thanks Chris. This will be a big help in the pub acoustic sessions when we can get together (post covid) again with my guitar/singer chums. I have been working with your 6th double stops and these work really well. I agree about the classic fiddle intros - I have resurrected Slade Coz I Luv You into my playlist. Great ear worm fiddle that everyone recognises.

[@Jean.Jeanie]

This is amazing and the most useful practical fiddle tips I have heard in a KZbin video. My faith in good fiddle knowledge sharing is restored and I’m going to get a lot out of watching this a few times over!! Thank you!

[@Jean.Jeanie]

What’s the name of that ‘ tune you should have ready’ in eminor and d? I know it but can’t remember it’s name so I can polish it up!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

@@Jean.Jeanie Hi Jeanie. Glad you enjoyed this one. I appreciate your comments! That tune may have been Swallow Tail.

[@thefolklerskimbut2511]

Me too!

[@gheryj.a5160]

you are the real teacher....very clearly what you explain

[@nicholasho7956]

Hey Chris. These were some really helpful tips for accompaniment. Your audio have a bit of an echo. Maybe a new mic might help and make your videos even more awesome? Thanks again for sharing tutorials for so many tunes!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Nicholas. Glad you're enjoying my videos. You're right about the sound. Would you mind listening to one of my most recent videos and tell me if it sounds better? I've started putting the camera closer, and padding the room more.

[@philipwagstaff4897]

Hello! Thank you for all these videos. Do you have any videos on fiddle singing? Especially patterns and such for comping

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Philip. No, I've never done one specifically on fiddle singing, but my videos on chopping, nashville and georgia shuffles, and 2 note chords would all be useful.

[@acidfastabhi]

I literally checkd like button thrice.. just to realise this opportunity unfortunately is only once..

[@davidmarks509]

I have a tip for dealing with the singer. Tell them to be quiet so real music can happen :P These days singers have so much channel, instruments have a real backseat. Probably why I enjoy older recordings.

[@alipainting]

Yes, blame those "talent" shows ☺️

[@johntait491]

Really excellent information Chris. Well done..!! What in your opinion are the "fiddle solos to know"..?

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi John. Good question! Actually it's more intros and hooks that are important to learn. For example on Devil Went down to Georgia, I would do all the fiddle parts as played on the original, but would improvises the little solos (after fire on the mountain...). On Young at Heart I would definitely do the intro, but would just do a vague impression of the crazy solo in the middle. On Fisherman's Blues I would do the intro, and about 50% of the original solo.

[@nickcheetham]

Got to add Wagon Wheel and Good Riddance.

[@johntait491]

Thank you Gentlemen. I can play Devil went... and Wagon Wheel, the other two I'll have to check out. Maybe I've just lived a sheltered lifestyle..!! 😄

[@Momo_Arani]

Hi, I live in Italy and I can't buy your "Exploring jazz violin" book. I tried so many ways but it is not available! I would be happy if you could help me please.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi. Sorry to hear that. You can order it direct from me. Send £30 (GB pounds) to my paypal account ([e-mail]) and I will send it!

[@Momo_Arani]

@@TheFiddleChannel thanks a lot! I called the schott london and they solved the problem!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

@@Momo_Arani Great!

[@alipainting]

Yes, I just asked, Americans know what Brownie points are 😆

[@TheFiddleChannel]

🤣

[@josesolismusic]

What kind of unprofesional music circles do you move in where they don't communicate even the song or the key that they're going to be on? That's not only unprofessional, but also exceptionally rude.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Yes, sometimes that's the case. But when you've been working with someone for decades and absolutely understand and trust one another, sometimes it's fun to leave the other guessing!

[@josesolismusic]

@@TheFiddleChannel I think it's very different someone with whom you have been working for decades, than someone you just met, which is what you're referring in the video.