Ciao!!
I'm reading your message now, in Italy are 9,30 AM, and I see that in America are 3,30 AM!!! I think that is too early (or too late), to have your answers.
I begin to study irish fiddle without any classic education, but about irish and "european celtic music", it's easyer for me. There are many irish session in Roma (in Irish pubs), and every year come in Italy many friends from Belfast, and we organize workshop.
After that I have known a band from Quebec and so begin my curiosity about american music. As Les B. have written, there are many way to play, to use the bow, accent and so on.
But I spent so much time to work, (music is not my job!!!!), so I think that before learn the melody is necessary understand how play to give the right "taste".
I has been happy and lucky this summer in Roma, to have known the fiddler James Leva that in a very short workshop "homemade" has explain something about the alternative tunings.
I like to know more about it.

Ciao!!!!

Vincenzo