Fiddle Tune Backup

[Rich Benson]

What's most appropriate: Boom-Chick, let chords ring on 2 and 4, Chop on 2 and 4?

[sgarrity]

All of the above, depending on the situation.

[JeffD]

Shaun is right. It really depends. On the type of music, on what other instruments are part of the ensemble, on whether it is a performance or a jam, and other things.

[Billy Packard]

Generally chop on 2 & 4.
I like to hear a more percussive guitar accompaniment. It allows for more "space" around the melody and rhythmic counter-point as well. If everything is legato on the guitar you have a wall of sound that buries subtleties and melodic rests.
Billy

[Perry]

Here's a handy list of ideas by John Hartford

[JeffD]

What is the type of music. In old time or traditional Irish it may be appropriate to play the melody in unison with the fiddle.

[JeffD]

Here's a handy list of ideas by John Hartford

That about covers it!

[Pete Martin]

Ask the fiddler what they want. If they have a lot of playing under their belt, they will tell you.

[Rich Benson]

In the situation I'm in, I'm playing with a clawhammer banjo player.

[Mandoplumb]

In the situation I'm in, I'm playing with a clawhammer banjo player.

Don't much matter what you do then, you ain't gonna be heard LOL

[allenhopkins]

Clawhammer will (generally) accentuate the down-beats, so mandolin can emphasize the off-beats.

Some fiddle tunes sound better with "open" chording, rather than the closed-chord "chop." I like to sometimes have a nearly continuous "running" accompaniment, with drones or harmony.

Remember, mandolin has the same range as fiddle, so try to stay out of the fiddle melody's way, unless you're planning to double it.

[Nevin]

Also, if you plan to double be careful with ornaments. If you do a trill above and the fiddle does one below you can have cacophony.

[Mandoplumb]

Also, if you plan to double be careful with ornaments. If you do a trill above and the fiddle does one below you can have cacophony.

You can have WHAT?