Complete Irish Fiddle Player

Peter Cooper

Oct 2010 · Mel Bay Publications

About this ebook

In his preface, the author reminds the reader that this is not a book for the absolute beginner. Even the experienced player may not "get it" on first reading a given tune, but "You can expect to enjoy the process of learning...[and experience] the joy of recreating a traditional tune, of making it your own." This is the teacher/student pact in effect throughout this marvelous book, written for the literary as much as the musical connoisseur. Although no classical violin experience is needed, you will need to know how to hold the fiddle and bow, and be able to play at least simple tunes in the first position. Having the ability to read music will enable you to follow the bowing patterns and left-hand techniques which the author feels are crucial in grasping the playing style.

Includes access to online audio download files featuring solo fiddle. The teaching recording plays the first tunes slowly, but by the end, the correct speed is played. This stereo recording contains 77 of the 80 songs from the book.

Ratings and reviews

Very instructional and easy to follow while learning ornamentation. Nice tunes.

About the author

Born in the country near Stafford, England in 1951, Peter started violin at

the age of nine and went on to study English at Balliol College, Oxford. In 1978 he became a

professional fiddle player and singer, performing in Britain, Europe and the USA. first in

partnership with Appalachian dulcimer player Holly Tannen (Frosty Morning.1979), then with

traditional singer Peta Webb (The Heart ls True, 1986). Since the midl980s Peter has

concentrated on the study and teaching of folk fiddle styles. His first solo album, All Around The

World (1990), released on his own Fiddling From &ratch label, featured music from Ireland,

Scandinavia, Eastern Europe & the USA. His 1993 album, The Wounded Hussar explores the rich

diversity of the Irish tradition and includes many of the tunes in this book.

Living in Hackney, London with his partner, Peter teaches on residential courses, runs adult

education classes and gives individual tuition. He reviews for Musical Traditions and Folk Roots

magazines and has composed music for films by Peter Greenaway and Moira Sweeney. As well as solo

gigs, he performs as a member of Vivando, with Kathryn Locke and Geoff Coombs. Their first album,

Vivando, released in 1995, includes some of his own compositions.