"Fiddle" is a term sometimes used to refer to a violin—specifically in the context of folk music. It is a musical instrument with four strings, typically held under the chin, and played with a violin bow; the smallest and highest-pitched of a family of four instruments including violin, viola, cello, and bass viol. For more information about the physical instrument itself, see violin.
The fiddle is the same musical instrument as the violin. Essentially, "fiddle" is used to described a violin when the violin is played in a folk music (i.e., traditional music) or sometimes a jazz style. One very slight difference between fiddle and violin occurs in American (e.g., bluegrass and old-time music) fiddling: the bridge is shaved down so that it is less curved. This makes it easier to play chords.
Historically, the word fiddle also referred to a predecessor of today's violin. Like the violin, it tended to have 4 strings, but came in a variety of shapes and sizes. Another series of instruments which contributed to the development of the modern fiddle was the viol da gamba, which was played while held between the legs, and has a fretted fingerboard.
Fiddle styles
To a greater extent than classical violin playing, fiddle playing is characterized by a huge variety of ethnic or folk music traditions, each of which has its own distinctive sound, including, but not limited to:
- Irish fiddling (with many distinct styles, including, for example, the Donegal fiddle tradition)
- Scottish fiddling
- English fiddling
- American fiddling (including Old Time fiddling, New England style Fiddling, Cajun fiddling, Texas style fiddling, Contest Fiddling, Blue grass fiddling, and other related traditions)
- Canadian fiddling (including Cape Breton Fiddling, where it's more commonly called Cape Breton Violin Music; Quebecois Fiddling, and others)
- Norwegian fiddling (including Hardanger fiddling)
- Swedish fiddling
- Finnish fiddling
- French fiddling (including a rich Breton fiddling tradition)
History Of Fiddle Playing
Fiddle Music and Fiddle Tunes
Fiddle Tunebooks
Fiddle Players
Fiddle Recordings
How To Learn The Fiddle
Where To Play The Fiddle
In the US, fiddles provide music for wedding celebrations, at community dances, during music camps, and in concerts. Most metropolitan areas have Contradance events with live music, usually with a fiddle. There are also numerous local, regional and state-wide fiddlers associations; many sponsor periodic jams, contests and other opportunities to play and hear fiddle music.