Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler

Subject: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 07:22 AM

Somebody on thesession found this link, a documentary about the Newfoundland fiddler Rufus Guinchard:

http://www.heritage.nf.ca/arts/rufus_video.html

I have never seen anybody else hold a fiddle like that!

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: Willie-O
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 08:18 AM

About 6 minutes into the video he explains the position...he used to sneak his (dad's?) fiddle out when no one was around and hold it in a defensive position...low down tucked into his shoulder so he couldn't be seen holding it from behind. (Don't know how they wouldn't have HEARD it, but that's the story he tells.)

Thanks for the link. Rufus was an inspiration to a lot of young musicians and certainly a beloved figure--a great Newfoundlander and Canadian.

W-O

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 09:40 AM

I really enjoyed this video, especially the kitchen party scenes. I was struck by the pure joy radiating from the faces of everyone present. I do hope I get the chance to visit Newfoundland someday. It's been on my bucket list for a while now.

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 09:42 AM

Absolutely wonderful fiddler. He came to Liverpool to do the Maritime festival when he was 88, and blew the place to bits.

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: Beer
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 09:54 AM

Thanks for the great find. Wonderful. Love it.
Ad.

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: meself
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 10:22 AM

As I understand the story behind the way he held his fiddle, it was that he would be sitting more-or-less against the window so that he could see anyone approaching the house on the road.

Thanks for the link!

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: maeve
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 10:26 AM

I've listen through twice. Thank you for posting the link, Jack.

He said that he would sit on the table with his feet on a chair as he tried to learn. He didn't want anyone to hear the scratchy sounds he made at first, and he'd watch out the window to see who might be coming so he could hang up the fiddle before anyone heard him.

As for the position, Rufus explains in the video that it seemed he had to reach too far holding the fiddle against his left shoulder. He thought it sounded "right clear" holding it below the right shoulder; it had a "clear sound, better."

"Pure joy": exactly.

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: meself
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 10:40 AM

I guess that's right - now that I think about it, I'm mixing what I read somewhere years ago with what he said in the film. I recall reading that the reason he held the fiddle in that position had to do with watching out the window, but in the film he does relate it to the sound, and ease of playing.

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: maeve
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 10:44 AM

I can imagine him as a boy trying different ways to handle the fiddle and his table top position. It would seem the experimentation involved both position and sound. :)

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 06:51 PM

interesting.
his vocal accent sounds a little like east anglian norfolk or suffolk

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 09:49 PM

Great fiddling!
Never seen it done that way.
And I thought I'd seen everything.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 11:40 PM

Some fun examples of the the dancing that goes with it, too.

Thanks for the link!

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: Beer
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 07:09 PM

Watched it again and must say that I enjoyed the scenes as well. In practicing the fiddle I always tuck it under my left breast. Never could get a comfortable feeling of it under my chin.
ad.

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: TopcatBanjo
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 04:04 AM

Thanks for posting this brilliant film. Just watched it and really enjoyed it. As mentioned above, the pure joy radiating from the musicians and dancers was just wonderful to see.

I did find Rufus' Newfoundland accent quite difficult to understand at times. Got this from Wikipedia:
Some specific Newfoundland dialects are similar to the accent heard in the southeast of Ireland (see Wexford and Waterford), while others are similar to those of West Country England, or a combination of both, mainly due to mass immigration from a limited number of ports in those specific regions.

I was thinking maybe there are other interesting short films within that site, but I can't seem to find them...

Subject: RE: Rufus Guinchard, Newfoundland fiddler
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 06:28 AM

yes great film, certain vocal phrases were REMINSCENT OF Suffolk