A Beginner’s Guide to Folk Styles and Technique on the Violin

This book, created for beginners at the fiddle, gives a clear introduction to the foundational aspects of learning and playing folk fiddle, using a variety of tune types such as polkas, jigs, reels, hornpipes and waltzes.

Common ornaments and techniques are covered throughout the book, as well as some general principles of bowing in folk music. The tunes used in the book are mostly from the Irish folk tradition, but also included are tunes from Scotland, England, America, Canada and Europe.

Highly regarded fiddle player and bestseller author Chris Haigh guides you through the book, beginning with the simplest folk tunes, and progressing to the more challenging tunes towards the end. More and more bowing detail and ornamentation is included as you work through the book. Every tune is available as an audio download on the accompanying mp3-pack, played at a slow to medium tempo.