Re: Picking Fiddle Tunes?
The term "fiddle tunes" is widespread in the English-speaking world. We often use it across Canada. The violin, generally called a "fiddle" when playing traditional dance music, was an extremely widespread and popular instrument for centuries, played either alone or with accompaniment. For a long time, in what's now the UK and Ireland and in North America, the fiddle was either a solo or leading instrument during dances and informal entertainments, with other instruments supporting. It's understandable that the music would be called "fiddle music" or "fiddle" tunes. In Newfoundland, where the accordion was the dominant folk music instrument for many years, the accordionist is often called the "fiddler," referring back to earlier times. On the other hand, I recall my mother, born in Prince Edward Island 1921, who played traditional music and often accompanied fiddlers on piano, referring mainly to this music mainly as "old time music," though she did use the expression, "fiddle music," as well. It would make sense in parts of the USA where other instruments lead and carry the melody not to refer to such tunes as "fiddle tunes" but I think you're dealing with an old usage that has established itself in the language. I think most of us have an intuitive sense of what is meant by a "fiddle tune." (French-Canadians and other European nations have a similar relationship with the "fiddle" and its music, but the word "fiddle" isn't used in French.)
Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
"I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.
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