Fiddle Tunes – Eric Christopher: Fiddle, violin and mandolin

Lazy John Beginning Video Lesson

Posted on November 28, 2017 by ericmchristopher • 0 Comments

Just posted a beginning lesson on the old-time fiddle tune Lazy John.

It’s a good, straight-ahead beginning tune, but as you advance, it’s also really easy to fancy it up with droning double-stops and slides (and I’ll be talking about that in another lesson…so stay tuned!).

And by the way, I just started my Youtube channel. To check out more videos (I’ll be posting them regularly) check it out here.

To subscribe to my newsletter and find out when I release new video lessons, click on the subscribe link below. As a bonus, you’ll also get a copy of this video lesson along with sheet music and back-up tracks to practice along with.

Enjoy!

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http://eepurl.com/db6LQX

Tune of the Week: Jeanne Marie

Posted on February 24, 2015 by ericmchristopher • 0 Comments

Here’s an original tune, one I wrote for my lovely wife Jeanne and recorded on my fiddle CD, “In the Quiet Night: Fiddle Tunes from the Upper Midwest.” What I’ve written out is just the basic melody of the tune. Bluegrass and old-time tunes in the key of A often use fourth-finger drones and open…… Continue Reading

Tune of the Week: Yankee Hornpipe

Posted on February 12, 2015 by ericmchristopher • 0 Comments

Here we have that rare bird, the fiddle tune in the key of B flat. This is one I found in an old book entitled “Original Dances, Waltzes & Hornpipes for the Violin, Composed by M. Higgins.” I found a reprint edition of this book years ago at Hobgoblin Music in Red Wing, MN. This…… Continue Reading

Tune of the Week: “Scotland”

Posted on February 4, 2015 by ericmchristopher • 0 Comments

Over the weekend, I did a twin fiddling showcase with Catie Jo Pidel at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association’s “12 for 12” Fundraiser, and one of the tunes we pulled out was Bill Monroe’s twin (sometimes triple) fiddling classic “Scotland.” Now, this is a tune I hadn’t played or thought about for quite some…… Continue Reading

How do I play the double shuffle in Orange Blossom Special? Part Two.

Posted on December 13, 2012 by ericmchristopher • 0 Comments

In part one of this lesson, we looked at two types of double-shuffle bowing as well as two basic double-stop voicings to use with these bowing patterns. Once you’re able to play these patterns with good timing and intonation, then you’re ready to tackle the triple-stop (three-note chord) version. The easiest way to beef up…… Continue Reading

How do I play the double-shuffle in Orange Blossom Special? Part one.

Posted on December 5, 2012 by ericmchristopher • 0 Comments

UPDATE 1/8/2018: check out my new video lesson on double-shuffle bowing on Youtube. This is a question that comes up in lessons and workshops a lot. I mean, A LOT! And that doesn’t come as a surprise. Orange Blossom Special is far and away the most popular American fiddle tune, it’s fun to play…… Continue Reading

Category Archives: Fiddle Tunes