Ask Craig: FAQ for oldtime fiddle

Here Craig Judelman gives answers to some of the most common questions oldtime fiddlers have. Of course, in oldtime there are no "right" answers, but Craig's combination of experience and technical knowledge is surely...

Spotted Pony – fiddle lesson with Dakota Karper

The wonderful Dakota Karper of Capon Bridge, West Virginia teaches the classic "Spotted Pony" in her usual clear, methodical way. Great for relative beginners, but also just a fun tune to break out in...

Circle Bowing: fiddle lesson with Craig Judelman

This next video in the series on oldtime fiddle technique dives into circle bowing - a key component of what makes oldtime fiddling so unique and driving. By continuously playing one string and catching...

Highlander’s Farewell: fiddle lesson with George Jackson

In this lesson, Nashville, TN oldtime fiddler George Jackson teaches the classic Emmett Lundy version of "Highlander's Farewell." He also includes a refresher on the finer points oldtime bowing, applicable to many other tunes...

Oldtime Bow Holds: lesson with Craig Judelman

There's lots of confusion about how to hold the bow in oldtime fiddle. In this video Craig Judelman breaks down a variety of different bow holds and discusses their various merits. There's no one...

Craig Judelman teaches Possum on a Rail

Here Craig Judelman teaches the great Possum on a Rail from the Mississippi Possum Hunters with lots of slides, hammer-ons, fingering choices and bowing options. The tune is in the key of G, standard...

Handsome Molly: Fiddle Lesson with Craig Judelman

Here at Oldtime Central we are very excited to have the accomplished and versatile Craig Judelman teaching some oldtime fiddle tunes. In this first lesson, Craig teaches the classic "Handsome Molly" showing a basic...

Lonesome John – fiddle lesson with George Jackson

George Jackson is a wonderful New Zealand-born, Nashville-based oldtime fiddler and a great, methodical teacher to boot. In this video he teaches a classic modal cross tune by John Salyer: Lonesome John. If you're...

Oldtime Bow Technique: lesson with Craig Judelman

Most oldtime fiddlers will tell you that the real stuff is in the bowing. It can easily take a lifetime to work through the intricacies of all that happens in oldtime fiddle bowing. But...

Sheeps and Hogs Going To The Pasture: Fiddle Lesson with Craig Judelman

"Sheeps and Hogs Going to the Pasture" is a fun tune that was played and recorded by Kentucky fiddler Buddy Thomas (1934-1974). It's played in the key of G out of standard tuning: GDAE....