Forgot about those dvds. Here is a comprehensive list of excellent cajun fiddlers that have instructional DVDs

Hadley Castille (never viewed this one)

Mitch Reed (highly recommend these)

Michael Doucet (highly recommended) He also has an audio only version with sheet music I think, if you can still find it. We have it here in the library in Baton Rouge. The two are separate. They have two completely different lists of songs. Both are excellent learning tools.

Tina Pilione (Highly recommended) p.s. I really like this one because she shows you how to play the songs in multiple keys. E.g. If a song is in D she also shows how to play in C (one step down) on tuned up fiddle. I thought this was really cool.

Al Berard (never viewed)

Dejalma Garnier (Recommended for creole) Mel Bay production but still a good video

and if you go to my youtube favorites page there are a **** load of instructional videos that I have favorited that others have graciously uploaded from various cajun fiddle camps across the country. Including videos from two of my favorite fiddlers Joel Savoy and Kevin Wimmer.

username is TCadien

Best of luck. if you have any questions about fiddling or are interested in some free skype help shoot me an e-mail. It was given to me freely and I am glad to return the favor.

also check this link out

http://www.fiddlehangout.com/group/cajunfiddlers

I find the adjusted tuning interesting, but playing in all the keys with standard tuning should probably work out all right - but I will see what you're talking about. I imagine it's an issue of awkward string crossings and or doublestops. It will be an interesting comparison with the southern Appalachian style. I'll be checking out the Yellow Book big time today! Thanks.

you got it right about string crossing and double stops. Once you get to know the music you'll get what I'm saying. The players that can pull it off playing in standard tuning with C accordions and can make it sound "authentic" and not "nashville" are few and far between.

Well, every violinist brings his/her musical soul and background with. I'm an orchestral and chamber music violinist, with lots of experience in improvisation. And I've done tons of wedding gigs, both in solo and and string quartet formats. The Acadian musical world is fun and engaging. It will be a blast to learn the music. But it will have my imprint on it, and that's not a bad thing.

Well, as for fiddling pur sang, and as fiddle teacher at times, i always find that a classical trained violinist very rarely gets to understand the rhythmic ins and outs of a different bowing technique used in folk music like Cajun, Old time Country, Bluegrass, Irish. And they find it even harder to understand the importance of bluesy sliding in to a note and as such how to add some spicy dirt to their playing skills. - Nout

I am looking forward to learning more about the craft. It should be fun to learn new techniques pertaining to Cajun fiddle playing.

Charles,

Check out link # 3 concerning Kevin Wimmer, a classically-trained-violinist-turned-Cajun-Fiddler, and a **** good one, one may add.

JB

I shall! Many thanks for the recommendation.