(Catologue no SP600)
"This is an invaluable treasure trove of information for all fiddlers."- Music Teacher
It is available for £12.99 from Spartan Press.
Here's a review of the book from Fiddle On Magazine:
Chris Haigh started playing the violin at the age of seven and, by his own admission he struggled with it. It wasn't until his late teens that he discovered fiddle music, which was a revelation to him. In the intervening years Chris has explored every aspect of fiddle music and styles from throughout the world. In this A4 sized book he has put together his findings in a concise and informative way.
Each chapter is dedicated to one of the world's main fiddle styles, from styles that we all come across here in the UK, such as Irish, Scottish, Scandinavian and the styles of North America, to styles that rarely get played here such as fiddle music from China, the Middle East or India. Each chapter starts off by giving a background to the style covered in that section and mentions some of the top exponents. In the case of some of the more far-flung styles the book also talks about the type of fiddle-like instrument that is usually played in that region, such as the Erhu from China or the Sarangi from India. There then follows some typical tunes to illustrate the style, written out in clear and easy-to read notation. In each case Chris has also cleverly included a tune written by himself to accentuate the characteristics of that particular style.
Fourteen different styles are looked at in the book. In addition to the ones already mentioned are Klezmer, Meditteranean and Middle East, Mexican, Cajun, Old Time, Bluegrass and Jazz.
In writing this book Chris has sought the advice of many experts in the various styles covered, and the result is a comprehensive and interesting look at fiddling around the world. I found this book very interesting and informative and it just makes me want to know more. So if you want to find out the background to bluegrass or you want to know what Western Swing is, or you want to know what a gadulka is, this is the book for you.
A highly recommended read.
Jeremy Weaver. Spring 2001
And from Music Teacher:
Fiddling around the World by Chris Haigh is a fascinating book
of and about fiddle tunes from across the globe. It has an introduction
to fiddling in each country (or group of countries) and a few
sentences about the nature and style of each of the 79 pieces.
Haigh has selected four tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia,
eastern Europe, (including the popular Russian melody Dark Eyes),
and four Klezmer and Mediterranean tunes. Moving eastwards, he
chooses two pieces form India (Golden Temple and the beautiful
Raag Ravathi), two from China, and then he finishes up with four
tunes from the Cajun, Old Time and Bluegrass repertoires, and
two from western Swing and Jazz.
The introductions to each section give information about the music,
the type of instrument, how it is played, the style, the accompaniments
and ornamentation, the repertoire, the history of the tunes and
significant fiddlers. The tunes are clearly printed (one page
for each) and prefaced by short performing notes and have chord
symbols where appropriate. This is an invaluable treasure trove
of information for all fiddlers.
Ring Spartan at 01528 544770; or write to Spartan Press, Strathmashie House, Laggan Bridge, Highland PH20 1BU, UK
email me at chris@fiddlingaround.co.uk
