Fiddlesticks!

Here is a band called "The Flyin Fiddle" playing and singing a version of one of my favourite folk tunes: "Star of the County Down." This is just one of the tunes my pupils have been learning to play recently. My pupils learn folk music as soon as they are able. Most of them really enjoy it, as the tunes vary from lively dances or songs like this one, to soulful songs such as "The Londonderry Air" (Danny Boy) and "The Water is Wide". Where possible I like them to learn the words, as this can help with rhythm, and also to understand the song better.

One of the great things about folk tunes is that you can find many versions of them. There is a version for both the more advanced pupil and the pupil who is just starting out. They can really progress a pupil's technique, as quite often there are string crossings that must be done quickly, rhythms of a more advanced kind than they may have played previously, or fingerings that are different. Of course, the most important thing about them is that they are enormous fun to play and to dance to or sing!

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