What's that fiddle site?

[Jerry Freeman]

From time to time, someone on this board mentions that there's a very good site for people interested in traditional fiddling

A family friend, a young man of about 13, is learning fiddle, including Irish traditional fiddling. He's learning pretty much on his own, isolated in the backwoods as we are here, and has nowhere to go for answers to questions and a general source of information.

Thanks!
Jerry

[Martin Milner]

http://www.fiddleforum.com/fiddleforum/index.php

is a great Forum, and I've mentioned it a few times, so this is probably the one you want, Jerry.

There are several other violin forums, e.g. 8-notes or The Violin Forum, but they're mostly centred on classical playing, not fiddling. This one is mostly fiddling, with a nod to the existance of classical music.

The folks here are friendly and knowledgeable - there's a specific section for people new to the board to say hi and introduce themselves, and there's always a friendly chorus of greetings.

[Jerry Freeman]

Thanks!

Best wishes,
Jerry

[BrassBlower]

http://www.fiddleforum.com/fiddleforum/index.php

is a great Forum, and I've mentioned it a few times, so this is probably the one you want, Jerry.

I'm there, too, as is Martin, LimuHead, and maybe some others.

My screen name there is "Bownhead".

[ennistraveler]

I must say I don't agree. Yeah, there are lots of fiddlers on that forum but it looks like most of them came from the classical world and have classical violin standards. In my opinion there's too much snobbery and this "oh, you have to be very special and have that special talent to play the fiddle and don't you ever think it's supposed to be fun!" attitude. But certainly, there are many very experienced fiddle players there who can answer any questions you might have. Personally I prefer Fiddle fork, it's more relaxed and friendly somehow, and you get more help when you ask questions, not just those "get a teacher"-replies.

Address? http://www.fiddlefork.com.

[JS]

The fiddle-l listserv is a useful, intelligent place, inhabited by a bunch of people who know the tradition (and some new folks as well). You can get to the archives here: http://listserv.brown.edu/archives/fiddle-l.htm it used to be possible to subscribe through the Mandolin Cafe website.

Edited: Sorry--that link doesn't seem to work, and I can't figure out why. Try a search for Fiddle-l archives. I'll repost if I can locate it later.

[Martin Milner]

Thanks Suzanne for the Fiddle Fork link, I haven't seen that one before.

Yes, there are some classical types on Fiddle Forum, but my feeling was the majority are fiddle players. That said, I'm too busy messing around here in the pub, and practising fiddle, to spend much time there, and my absence has been noticed (always nice to be missed!).

[GaryKelly]

This probably won't help with learning to play the instrument, but it's a great resource for tunes: The Fiddler's Companion: http://www.ceolas.org/tunes/fc/