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The word Fiddle is the Folk music name for the violin, and fiddling is a style of violin music. The physical difference between fiddles and violins is that American Fiddles — which are used in Bluegrass and Old-Time music — may have the top of the bridge cut to reduce the curve of the instrument and create less of a range for right-arm motion. This makes it possible for fiddlers to perform rapid-string crossing, shuffling and double and triple stops.

Though Irish/Celtic and Gypsy music are strong examples of fiddle usage, American Old-Time music features some of the very best fiddling.

Old-Time is an appropriate term for this style of music, as its roots can be traced back to traditional European and African music. Old-Time is comprised of various styles, as well as ballads and other folk songs. It is usually played on both the violin and banjo.

The fist recorded Old-Time music was performed by Fiddlin’ John Carson. Okeh, the label that released his album, coined the term “Old-Time Music” to categorize Carson and other performers like him.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, other similar forms of music became a part of the genre. Among others, these included the minstrel, Tin Pan Alley, and gospel. Though it was popular throughout the United States, Old-Time music was strongly linked to the Appalachian region.

From the mid-forties to the sixties, Old-Time music experienced a revival thanks to musicians like Mike and Pete Seeger.

String instruments have always been essential to the playing of Old-Time music. In the early days, the instruments played in an Old-Time band were usually what instruments were available to the musicians. These were primarily acoustic. Traditionally, the fiddler was the leader of the group.

Sometimes two people would play the fiddle simultaneously. One player would play using the bow and fingers while the other stands to his or her side and “drums” a rhythm on the fiddle’s strings using small sticks (called “fiddle sticks”).

Instrumental Old-Time music was traditionally played at dances. As it was considered dance music, there was not much showiness with solos. However, it always had a strong beat. This is in contrast with Bluegrass, which was developed as a form of concert music and usually involves complicated solos. Still, Bluegrass developed from Old-Time music and they share many similar aspects.

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|| Bluegrass Music || Blues Music || Bossa Nova Music || Classical Music ||
|| Dance Music || Fiddle Music || Funk Music || Gypsy Music || Irish / Celtic Music ||
|| Italian Music || Jazz Music || Jewish / Klezmer Music || Latin Music ||
|| Rock & Roll Music || Ska Music || Swing Music || Tango Music || Violin Music ||

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