Sponsored By
 
 
Introduction to Irish Fiddling

This lesson is part of the course Irish Fiddle with Dale Russ.
Get immediate access to this lesson and all of the lessons in this course when you subscribe.
 
About This Course
 
Learn traditional Irish fiddle, with an emphasis on playing the dance music of Ireland, including jigs, reels, polkas, slip jigs, hornpipes, and more, with an Irish feel and ornamentation.
 
 
Try a Sample Lesson
The Tar Road to Sligo
 
In this lesson, you’ll learn one of the most distinctive ornaments in Irish music, the “roll,” which combines grace notes and slurs. Dale explains the roll, and shows you a roll on different fingers and strings. He recommends practicing them slowly and repeatedly with a metronome so that the motion becomes natural, and he shows how you can use rolls in jigs whenever the first and third note of a three-note pattern are the same. You can also roll on the first notes of arpeggios, as in the last phrase of the B part of “The Tar Road to Sligo.”
 
 
 
The Irish Fiddle Subscription Includes:
  • Extensive lessons on playing 30 complete Irish dance tunes, including reels, jigs, polkas, hornpipes and more.
  • Detailed notation for every tune, with bowing and ornamentation
  • Technique lessons on ornamentation for both hands
  • High-quality video with multiple camera angles so you can see closeups of both hands in action
  • Play-Along Tracks so you can practice what you’ve learned
 
 
$20/Month For One Course
 
Additional courses only $10/month each!   •   Save 20% with an annual subscription
 
 
Get started now!
Use promo code BruceLand at checkout
and get your first month free or $20 off an annual subscription.
 
 
Introduction to Irish Fiddling  
 
Introduction to Irish Fiddling  
 
Introduction to Irish Fiddling
Introduction to Irish Fiddling
 
In this introduction to Irish fiddling, Dale talks about the bow and left-hand position and their importance in Irish fiddling. He shows you the basic Irish dance rhythms and how to think of them in groups of twos or groups of threes. He shows you how the feel differs between reels, hornpipes, and jigs and how you can use bow pressure to differentiate the rhythms with your bow. Dale also talks about how he holds the bow, with the index finger touching the bow just above the second knuckle, which gives him leverage when he wants to add pressure to the bow. He also talks about the roots of Irish music as dance music and the importance of being able to play for dancers, and gives you advice on increasing your control of the bow. In addition, Dale talks about the kind of left-hand positioning that’s important in Irish fiddle, in particular, arching your fingers enough that you’re able to play on the G string while sounding the D string.

 
 
 
Fiddle Articles
 
 

LR Baggs presents Louisiana fiddlers playing two Cajun tunes.
Fiddle Videos
 
 

All-star band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play one of John’s new original tunes.
 
Sponsored By
 
 
 
Want to offer feedback or suggest a lesson? Need help with the site?
 
Contact Us
 
 
  About Us       Shop         Support         Contact Us         Email Sign up         Advertise        Sitemap        FAQ        Privacy        Terms         Subscribe   Sign In  
 
String School
    ● Courses
    ● Live Workshops
    ● Instructors
    ● Sample Lessons
    ● Play-along Tracks
    ● Notation Guide
    ● For Beginners
 
Learning Lab
    ● Workshops
    ● Advice
    ● Repertoire
Instruments & Gear
    ● Instrument Demos
    ● Vintage Vault
    ● New Gear
    ● Fine Lutherie
 
News & Reviews
    ● Recordings
    ● Events
    ● Breaking News
 
Featured Videos
    ● In The Studio
    ● Live Onstage
    ● Backroom
 
Partners
    ● New Products
    ● Inside Look
    ● Performances
    ● Partner Pages
 
 
© Copyright 2020 PegheadNation.com
 
 
    ● Courses
    ● Live Workshops
    ● Instructors
    ● Sample Lessons
    ● Notation Guide
    ● For Beginners
 
 
    ● Vintage Vault
    ● New Gear
    ● Fine Lutherie
 
 
    ● Workshops
    ● Advice
    ● Repertoire
 
 
    ● Recordings
    ● Events
    ● Breaking News
 
 
    ● In The Studio
    ● Live Onstage
    ● Backroom
 
 
    ● New Products
    ● Inside Look
    ● Performances
    ● Partner Pages
 
 
© Copyright 2020 PegheadNation.com