Bluegrass bowing technique

In this fiddle lesson I look at many different aspects of bowing technique relevant to bluegrass. First I examine the sawstroke/single bow approach, and find the disadvantage of this. I look at adding slurs for the purpose of starting each bar on a down bow. Then at slurs as a way of creating accents. I look at the Nashville Shuffle, Georgia Shuffle and Double shuffle. I explain the drop bow, used to emphasise individual notes within a phrase. I contrast the single bow approach often used by Kenny Baker with the long flowing bows of Vassar Clements. I look at kickoffs, and finally at chopping.
A pdf of all the sheet music used is available free to subscribers (see below).
There are plenty more free video lessons on bluegrass fiddle tunes and techniques elsewhere on The Fiddle Channel.
Below are details of further fiddle resources from Chris Haigh
1. Patreon
2. Books
3. Subscription video courses
4. Website
5. Email to request pdf’s.
1. PATREON
This is a platform where anyone can directly help to support creative artists and get closer access to their work. You can join me on Patreon at three levels, for £4, £10 or £40 per month.

At the lowest level you get access to all my pdf’s and tune collections, plus many exclusive tuition videos not available to the public.
At level 2 you can join also me once a month for a group Zoom chat, and can request three backing tracks each month.
Level 3 gives you all the above plus a free lesson once a month, and access to all my backing tracks.
You can find me on Patreon at
www.patreon.com/thefiddlechannel
2. BOOKS
I have eight fiddle tuition books published by Schott, all widely available from the publisher, from Amazon, and many other outlets. All come with audio tracks illustrating the tunes and exercises.
Exploring Jazz Violin
Beginning Jazz Violin
Discovering Rock Violin
Exploring Folk Fiddle
Exploring Klezmer Fiddle
Hungarian Fiddle Tunes
French Fiddle Tunes
Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle
You can order from
bit.ly/31ZWmgm
3. VIDEO SUBSCRIPTION COURSES
I have three video subscription courses
-
MUSIC GURUS- Exploring Jazz Violin. Based on my Schott book
Parts 1 and 2 are each £26 for 26 lessons, covering the first and second halves of the book
Part 1; tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
Part 2 tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Discovering Rock Violin. . Based on my Schott book
£35 for 46 lessons
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle. Based on my Schott book. 31 lessons for £31.99
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
ACADEMY OF FOLK
Includes a folk fiddle primer course, with introductions to basic techniques and concepts plus an Irish Fiddle Course and Scottish fiddle course. A monthly sub of $9.99 gives access to all lessons
academyoffolk.com/
I suggest you contact me before subscribing.
4. WEBSITE
My website is probably the most extensive and detailed summary of fiddle styles on the web, as evidenced by the range of top hits on Google for many fiddle styles.
www.fiddlingaround.co.uk
__________________________________________________________
TO REQUEST PDF’S, or ask any questions, CONTACT ME AT
[e-mail]

[@terria1254]

Thank-you! EXCELLENT video!!! I'll be going over this one ~1000 times!!! 😊🎻

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Glad you found this useful!

[@KBFWA]

Those licks at the intro/beginning....Excellent.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks!

[@maestrafrancom]

Thank you. The lesson was very helpful.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks!

[@lauriemcpherson7559]

Excellent job presenting this!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thank you!

[@TeineUaine]

Very helpful -- thanks, Chris!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks!

[@Charlotte595-to4tx]

Excellent and inspiring video! I've bookmarked it and will be coming back to it for months to come. Thank you!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

@@Charlotte595-to4tx thanks Charlotte!

[@StrumHollow]

Very informative and enjoyable! I was first introduced to the georgia bow in "Ebenezer".

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks!

[@dirtroad728]

really good lesson!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Patrick!

[@tommyleebaker1]

Great stuff as always Chris. Yes the beautiful sound of the chop stopping 🙂 In context it is wonderful but a good way to get the vocalist, mandolin player, drummer and even the damn banjo player upset with you if overdone or sometimes done at all. Nice variations on the redhead throughout the vid.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Tommy!

[@johntait491]

Informative, educational and interesting Chris. Thank you. 👍

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks John!