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Learn to Play FIDDLE

Play the fiddle with our great selection of learning aids and instruments. Videos, tapes, cds, and books.  Lessons taught by the masters.  Here is a small sample of the Pickin' Parlors offering for fiddle players - visit our catalog for a full offering of instructional materials and fiddles.

 

New Arrivals

The Murphy Method is arguably the best learn to play series available to acoustic instrumentalists.  The entire series is centered around learning how to "hear" what you are playing and how it applies to the instrument.  Because of that you don't have to rely on music notation or tab.  All the songs and techniques are taught in great detail but at a level of comfort that is astonishing.  Beside that they are just plain fun to watch!

  Fiddle Starter Kit
  PPFS1
  Retail $150.00
  Pickin Parlor Price $119.95

  A great way to get started playing the fiddle at a price that won't break the bank.  A Bean Blossom  Fiddle with horse hair bow, fine tuners, padded fiddle case along with the best selling "You Can Teach Yourself To Play Fiddle" video and book.


You Can Teach Yourself Fiddling - DVD
  Level 1
  60 Minutes
  $14.95
  Pickin Parlor Price $13.45 

 This video is designed to complement the first 17 lessons of the You Can Teach Yourself Fiddling text. Covers tuning, holding the fiddle and bow, left-hand position, basic A, D, and G scales, shuffle bowing, slurs, double stops, and many tunes, including "Liza Jane," "Shortening Bread," "Going to Boston," and "Bile Them Cabbage Down." Although this video is complete in itself, the companion book offers more detail and is highly recommended.

 
Anyone Can Play Country Fiddle
 Level 1
 $19.95
 Pickin Parlor Price $17.95

 This course is designed to teach beginners of any age how to play country fiddle. No previous musical experience is needed to be successful with this method. You will learn the basics of bowing, fingering, chord playing, shuffle bowing, and several famous fiddle tunes. Includes free instructional booklet. 45 minutes.

 

A Guide To American Fiddling
 Level 2
 $17.95
 Pickin Parlor Price $16.15

 Classical violinists can help keep alive the historic traditions of American fiddle music, but doing so requires a clear understanding of performance practice. A Guide to American Fiddling exposes serious students of the violin to the technical nuances of traditional Old Time fiddling. In this book, violinist/fiddler Andrew Carlson provides a detailed technical analysis of Missouri-style fiddling, focusing primarily on the use of the bow. Carlson further offers a comparison of classical and non-classical techniques, a brief history of American fiddling, plus 23 traditional tunes with authentic bowing indications. A CD recording of the tunes is included.

 

Complete Irish Fiddle Player
 Level 2
 $19.95
 Pickin Parlor Price $17.95 

 In his preface, the author reminds the reader that this is not a book for the absolute beginner. Even the experienced player may not "get it" on first reading a given tune, but "You can expect to enjoy the process of learning... [and experience] the joy of recreating a traditional tune, of making it your own." This is the teacher/ student pact in effect throughout this marvelous book, written for the literary as much as the musical connoisseur. Although no classical violin experience is needed, you will need to know how to hold the fiddle and bow, and be able to play at least simple tunes in the first position. Having the ability to read music will enable you to follow the bowing patterns and left-hand techniques which the author feels are crucial in grasping the playing style.

Beginning Fiddle Vol. 1
 Level 1
 2 Hours
 $39.95
 Pickin Parlor Price $35.95

 Vol. 1 For those of you who have never played fiddle. The 8 lessons include tuning, holding the fiddle and bow properly, and 6 complete tunes. Every note explained, every bow stroke explained. No Tab. Includes Cripple Creek, Cotton-Eyed Joe, Sally Goodwin, Old Joe Clark, Boil Them Cabbage, Amazing Grace.

Beginning Fiddle Vol. 2
 Level 1
 2 Hours
 $39.95
 Pickin Parlor Price $35.95
 
 Use the basics learned in Volume 1 to play 6 familiar songs. Great for jam sessions. Fiddle backup introduced. No Tab. John Hardy, Salty Dog, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, and more.

 

Intermediate Fiddle Vol. 1
 Level 2
 2 Hours
 $39.95
 Pickin Parlor Price $35.95 
 
 Introduces the key of D with 6 well-known tunes. More complex bowing. Still explained note-by-note, bow-stoke-by-bow-stroke. No Tab. Includes Arkansas Traveler, 8th of January, Liberty, Faded Love, Soldier's Joy, Tennessee Waltz.

 

Intermediate Fiddle Vol. 2
 Level 2
 2 Hours
 $39.95
 Pickin Parlor Price $35.95

Expand your repertoire with these harder tunes in the key of G. No Tab. Turkey in the Straw, Golden Slippers, Westphalia Waltz, Sail Away Ladies, Leather Britches.
 

Advanced Fiddle
 Level 3
 2 Hours
 $39.95
 Pickin Parlor Price $35.95

Advanced versions of 5 great tunes in the key of A. No Tab. Includes Old Joe Clark, Sally Goodwin, Maiden's Prayer, Salt Creek, Bill Cheatum.

 

 
 The American Fiddle Method - Vol 1
 By Brian Wicklund
 $24.95
 Play Bluegrass Music Price $22.45

 Destined to become a classic, this method provides the beginner with the elements needed to become a proficient fiddler. Based on many years of teaching experience, the author introduces the concepts and techniques that yields solid results. This method encourages creativity in the student by including variations to the tunes and illustrating how they can serve as a basis for improvisation. To assist in the development of ensemble skills, chords and lyrics, basic music theory, and demonstrations of such skills as backup and lead playing are included in this profusely- illustrated book. A CD for listening and play-along captures the excitement of the music and aids instruction. This book is beneficial for both fiddle students and classical Suzuki violin students.

The American Fiddle Method - Vol. II
 By Brian Wicklund
 $24.95
 Play Bluegrass Music Price $22.45

 Designed as a follow-up to Volume 1, Volume 2 addresses such important skills as: 1) expanding a basic repertoire of common intermediate-level tunes, 2) learning to use low first position, 3) mastery of bowing down on the beat and corrective slurring, 4) artistic slurring, 5) understanding basic music theory, and 6) learning double-stop backup combinations. Some students who have studied violin or fiddle music before may be able to skip Volume 1 and start with Volume 2, assuming they are proficient at skills such as proper violin and bow placement and can play a small repertoire of fiddle tunes with good tone and intonation.

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Learning Bluegrass Fiddle   Learning Bluegrass Fiddle
   Level 1
   65 - Min - Video
   $29.95
   Lone Hand Price $26.95

Kenny teaches the basic melody for Jack Of Diamonds then adds the slides, open-string drones and bowing patterns that give it bluegrass flavor. Then it's on to classic country hoedowns — B'ile Them Cabbage Down, Waterbound, Liberty — as he introduces you to rhythm playing, melodic variations, double-stop harmonies and country-style bowing. Bury Me Beneath The Willow includes vibrato, slides, hammer-ons and legato bowing.

 Learning Bluegrass Fiddle 2
   Learning Bluegrass Fiddle II
   Level 1/2
   70 - Min - Video
   Includes Music
   $29.95
   Lone Hand Price $26.95 

Kenny teaches slides, blues tones, rhythmic patterns, slurs, fancy licks and endings, and other more advanced fiddle techniques. You'll soon be adding these bluegrass favorites to your repertoire: Dixon County Blues, Pig In A Pen, Sally Goodin, Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms and that famous show-stopper, Orange Blossom Special.

 

 

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