VioletMoon - Posted - 04/27/2025:  17:01:57

My goal is to spend the next four months focused on improving my clawhammer banjo playing and, specifically, learning to accompany old-time fiddlers, and I'm looking for advice.

Where do I start? What should I listen to? What should I read? What should I practice? How should I practice? What makes banjo accompaniment feel supportive? What makes it seem interesting? Are there different accompaniment styles and, if so, what makes them unique? What else should I be thinking about?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

cevant - Posted - 04/27/2025:  17:43:42

Four months. Okay.

Here’s what a few fiddlers suggest to start.

fiddlehangout.com/archive/50368

VioletMoon - Posted - 04/27/2025:  17:47:49

cevant -- Just the kind of guidance I was hoping for. Thanks! I need to study the comments there. The funny thing is, though, skimming through I discovered I wrote one of the responses I see there! <laugh>

Edited by - VioletMoon on 04/27/2025 17:59:27

VioletMoon - Posted - 04/27/2025:  18:26:45

quote:

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Originally posted by VioletMoon

cevant -- Just the kind of guidance I was hoping for. Thanks! I need to study the comments there. The funny thing is, though, skimming through I discovered I wrote one of the responses!

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mrphysics55 - Posted - 04/27/2025:  18:28:17

Thanks folks.

banjered - Posted - 04/27/2025:  19:21:24

That was an excellent link from fiddle hangout. I am still learning how to accompany a fiddle, probably always will , until. I'd add that if you end up playing with one or two fiddlers most of the time you really have a chance to refine your approach specific for them (as in Pearlman and Jabour). However, if you are at a jam with multiple fiddlers and other implements of musical destruction it is best to keep it simple and on the beat as fancy will get lost in the din. Two-cent banjered

Bill Rogers - Posted - 04/27/2025:  19:29:57

If you haven’t, watch the videos of Walt Koken and Claire Milliner on YouTube. Walt is one of the great banjo players. Fiddler Hank Bradley was asked if clawhammer players can play all the notes of a fiddle tune: “…Walt Koken can, but he’s got the sense not to.”  And find fiddlers to play with. Ask them how you're doing and what you need to work on from their perspective. 

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 04/27/2025 19:32:03

cevant - Posted - 04/27/2025:  20:15:43

I used this website to practice with backing tracks. Pick a tune with a guitar and fiddle backing track and play along with your banjo.

oldtimejam.com/

janolov - Posted - 04/27/2025:  22:28:54

I prefer the so-called Round Peak style, discussed in the Fiddle Hangout link above. Play the important melody notes, and a steady rhythm with 1/8 notes by using drop thumbs, and alternate string pull offs. It is better when the banjo supports the fiddle, and not compete with the fiddle.

Bill H - Posted - 04/28/2025:  02:30:25

I agree with what others have suggested. I spent many years learning melodic versions of tunes and when I first tried to play with a fiddler trying to pay all that melody felt awkward. It was also difficult to play up to the speeds that fiddlers reach. To practice, find a fiddler on YouTube that you like and play along. I often start by slowing down to half speed and work my way up. Otherwise, use a metronome in your practice sessions. Timing is key when playing with a fiddle.

Bob Buckingham - Posted - 04/28/2025:  03:36:07

You might want to try an old time music camp. There are a lot of them out there running from a week long to a whole week. Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week at Mars Hill NC is one such camp. I learned by actually working with fiddlers who readily gave me feedback. There were no camps back then and you had to hunt down a fiddler who would indulge your desire to learn. Back then the music had not become as popular as it is today.

Edited by - Bob Buckingham on 04/28/2025 03:38:34

rkdjones - Posted - 04/29/2025:  08:40:09

I am almost exclusively play in a clawhammer style by myself in the parlor, but want to comp at fiddle sessions. My thought was to just strum like a guitarist, playing rhythm. There are lot of interesting strumming patterns. Any thoughts?

VioletMoon - Posted - 04/29/2025:  08:55:20

I appreciate all of the suggestions, and little by little, I will try to follow up. Last night, for example, I listed to a few Walt Koken and Claire Milliner videos, and the morning I practiced while thinking to myself, "Which notes do I really need to play here and which ones can I leave out?"

Thank you!

carlb - Posted - 04/29/2025:  10:19:44

I can offer three examples of my playing with Melvin Wine, in my media files. Pretty much still they way I'll play banjo with a fiddler. I do play at the melody but still try and keep the rhythm going and use chords quite a bit.

Yew Piney Mountain - Melvin Wine

Wine's Delight

Black Cat in the Briar Patch 2

 

banjopaolo - Posted - 04/29/2025:  10:27:56

I’m not so experienced in old time playing but I love so much that kind of music so from times to times I try to write some music in that way, I play both banjo and fiddle so basically I try to play the same melody on both instrument but of course, since they are so different, some changes must be done…

Here are two of my ‘old timish’ tunes, one on fiddle the other on viola

Edited by - banjopaolo on 04/29/2025 10:31:45

VIDEO: Weird Dance
(click to view)

VIDEO: Second Dance
(click to view)

RG - Posted - 04/29/2025:  13:58:42

quote:

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Originally posted by carlb

I can offer three examples of my playing with Melvin Wine, in my media files. Pretty much still they way I'll play banjo with a fiddler. I do play at the melody but still try and keep the rhythm going and use chords quite a bit.

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This is how it's done...

John Yerxa - Posted - 04/30/2025:  04:12:31

I've lately been focusing on the fiddler's bow hand, and find that it helps me match their rhythm and get in the groove.

RG - Posted - 04/30/2025:  11:36:08

quote:

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Originally posted by John Yerxa

I've lately been focusing on the fiddler's bow hand, and find that it helps me match their rhythm and get in the groove.

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Real OT fiddling is downbow based, so the emphasis is on the downbeats (1 & 3) , just like dancers like it to be.

jeffmiller - Posted - 06/01/2025:  08:03:50

In my experience playing with fiddlers is all about listening to them and not to yourself.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 06/01/2025:  20:51:12

At this point, nothing beyond generalities:  In time, in tune, etc., etc.

Beyond that, it depends on the fiddler's general and personal style. Once you've met a fiddler you're going to be spending time with, you can home in on what their music needs to help it sound its best.

The two fiddlers I played with most were not Appalachian, but from Southern Illinois and the central Missouri Ozarks- different styles and repertoires calling for different approaches.

That said, unless you are lucky enough to have a local fiddler to pair with,  I'd probably follow the Round Peak path.  Round Peak has kind of been the OT generic default style for many years now and is the root of what some folks refer to as "festival style".  Optimally you want a fiddler that plays in a personally consistent style, not a little of this and a little of that.  If you are lucky enough to live in a place that possesses a regional OT fiddle style, seek out those players and participate in preserving the local tradition,