Rhythm Fiddle: The violin sings and the fiddle dances
About this ebook
The violin sings and the fiddle dances. In the same way there is lead guitar and rhythm guitar, we can have lead violin and rhythm violin also.
Rhythm violin playing is when you accompany dance melodies with repetitive bowing patterns. This kind of bowing is very common in most folk and dance styles and the most well-known bowing variation for this is called The Shuffle (also known sometimes as the Nashville shuffle).
In 16 concise pages with clear examples and a little bit of dyad theory, learn how to accompany any melody with nothing but a leadsheet or even just a chord progression written on the back of a beermat.
About the author
Charlie McCarthy has been playing rhythm fiddle since the 1990's, a veteran of the Australian music scene. Coming from a strong classical background and figuring out how to improvise accompaniment 'from the streets', this short little workbook gets the classical player out of the concerthall and into the festival jam room.
Originally from Ireland, Charlie McCarthy is an Australian based violinist/fiddle player who has performed with symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, jazz combos, bluegrass and Irish bands as well as being a session musician/soloist for movie soundtracks, pit orchestras, studio recordings and everything in between. Charlie began learning the violin when he was two years old and comes from a classical background. From an early start in the Suzuki system and humble beginnings playing viola in youth orchestras, busking and string quartet gigs at weddings he has gone on to perform as a professional orchestral musician, session recording player, live looper and sideman in folk and jazz ensembles.
As an educator he has previously held the position of Head of Strings at Perth College in Western Australia and Head of Strings at St Michael’s Collegiate in Hobart. Charlie is currently a lecturer at the University of Tasmania in contemporary violin and also offers online violin lessons for players of all ages and styles. He presents Professional Development Seminars through the Australian String Teachers Association (AUSTA) and coordinates string workshops and camps throughout Australia. As an artist constantly developing and refining his own pedagogical philosophy his students benefit from his genuine love of music and his ability to kindle artistry as well as sequencing practical technique.
Above all, Charlie McCarthy just loves playing the fiddle and having a great time sharing the joy of music with others.
