Fiddle Ornamentation
Mick's guide to Irish traditional fiddle ornamentation
The following ornamentation is required when playing Irish traditional tunes on the fiddle:
1 - Rolls
2 - Cuts
3 - Bow trebles
The following ornamentation is required when playing Irish traditional tunes on the fiddle:
1 - Rolls
2 - Cuts
3 - Bow trebles
1 - Rolls
Note: NEVER change bow direction during a roll.
Using the simple formula:
0 = open string
1 = 1st finger
2 = 2nd finger
3 = 3rd finger
4 = 4th finger
2 - Cuts
Note: ALWAYS cut from the note above.
Example 1:
If you are playing G (3rd finger on the D string), to cut this note you will have to play aG = 43 (4th finger then 3rd finger), and so on.
Example 2:
If you are playing E (1st finger on the D string), to cut this note you can play either of the following: gE = 31; or fE = 21 and so on.
Example 1:
If you are playing G (3rd finger on the D string), to cut this note you will have to play aG = 43 (4th finger then 3rd finger), and so on.
Example 2:
If you are playing E (1st finger on the D string), to cut this note you can play either of the following: gE = 31; or fE = 21 and so on.
3 - Bow Trebles
Note: Bow trebles are usually played DOWN-UP-DOWN ↓ ↑ ↓
(but if you can manage them UP-DOWN-UP ↑ ↓ ↑ as well, then fair play to you!)
(but if you can manage them UP-DOWN-UP ↑ ↓ ↑ as well, then fair play to you!)
