Since I took up fiddle playing again several years ago I do more a capella singing since it's hard to fiddle and sing at the same time. I usually begin a song on the fiddle, then sing a few verses unaccompanied, then a fiddle interlude, and finish the song unaccompanied. Sometimes I follow the song with a related fiddle tune. For example, I sing the Scottish song "Johnny my Man (Farewell to Whiskey)" followed by the two Scottish fiddle tunes, Farewell to Whiskey and Welcome Whiskey Back Again - it makes a great set.

Singing unaccompanied is much more demanding as a singer, but it allows me to fully express the song, and I think it is much more interesting for the listener, as most songs tell a story and it is the words and they way they are expressed that are important. As I have been doing this more and more at our open mic, I have inspired several other singers to also sing unaccompanied. It takes some courage at first, but it has its rewards. I guess I have heard too many "singer-songwriters" who can't really sing, but play virtuoso guitar (or at least think they can), and I have a hard time understanding their songs underneath all the fancy guitar work (it just gets in the way).

My approach to learning a new song is to first sing it unaccompanied. That way I can freely explore different ways to express the song unhindered by the guitar rhythm and chords. Then I add accompanyment only if it adds something to the song, otherwise I'll sing it a capella.

Cheers, S. in Seattle