Mel Bay

Authors: Oriol Sana and Lluis Gomez
Format: Book with Audio Online
Instrumentation: Violin
Level: Intermediate

The endlessly energetic duo of Oriol Sana and Lluis Gomez have created a charming and informative account of the musical phenomenon we call bluegrass. Originally a quirky supercharged folk music played by about ten people, bluegrass music, with its Mozart-like formality and ferocious rhythmic zest, now describes an extended international family of related string band styles.

Master fiddler Oriol and bluegrass banjoist Lluis, both acclaimed educators, present both the wide view and crucial details about this music in a clear, personable manner. Bravo!

Includes access to online audio.

Contents:

• Foreword by Casey Driessen
• About the Authors
• Preface
• What Is Bluegrass Music?
• The Fiddle
• Bow Articulation in Bluegrass
• Bow Strokes and Slurring
• Shuffles
• Nashville Shuffle
• Georgia Shuffle
• Double Shuffle
• Two-Slur Shuffle
• Slides/El glissando
• Double Stops
• The Fourth Finger
• The Violin Capo
• Tune Construction
• Kick-Off/Lead-In
• Tune Endings
• An Introduction to Fiddle Tunes
• Cripple Creek
• Old Joe Clark
• 10 Fiddle Tunes
• Soldier's Joy
• Fishers Hornpipe
• Bill Cheatham
• Forked Deer
• Blackberry Blossom
• Turkey in the Straw
• Billy in the Lowground
• Whiskey Before Breakfast
• June Apple
• Kitchen Girl
• Songs in the Bluegrass Repertoire
• Bury Me Beneath the Willow
• Waltzes
• Tombigbee Waltz
• Improvisation
• Transcription
• Alternate Tunings (Scordatura)
• Fiddle & Banjo Duets
• Jam Sessions
• The Five-String Violin
• Chops (percussive vertical bowing)
• Fiddlers
• A Selection of Fiddle Tunes
• Recommended Discography
• Sources
• Glossary
• Historical Books