Lessons

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...

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...

Few musicians truly enjoy spending time on their instrument working on technique, etudes, or intonation. It's just not as much fun as playing tunes or learning new material. But those who have spent even...

In this video Craig Judelman ventures into the seemingly muddy waters of how to hold the fiddle in oldtime and what to pay attention to in the left hand. Craig has given a lot...

In this lesson Craig Judelman teaches "Twin Sisters" based on the playing of West Virginia fiddler Melvin Wine. It's a fun, up-tempo tune with lots of opportunity for variety in bowing. Guitar chords D / G...

In this lesson Craig Judelman teaches the classic "Rocky Pallet" based on a source version from The Skillet Lickers (1929). This three part tune is a favorite in many local oldtime communities. The fiddle is...

"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....

Here Craig Judelman teaches "Cuttin' at the Point" based on a recording of Charlie Wilson and His Hayloft Boys (1932). The tune sounds simple, but has a great groove to it. Craig's fiddle is tuned...

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...

In this lesson, Craig Judelman teaches the classic ballad "The Blackest Crow" also called "As Time Draws Near" or "My Dearest Dear". A slow waltz, Judelman shows bowing options for playing in three and...