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27 Apr 00 - 01:44 PM (#219004) Subject: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Marion Hello. I am from Lanark County, Ontario, and I keep a couple of hand-knotted ribbons hanging from my fiddle head. This is because the person who is my biggest influence (also from Lanark County) has a ribbon on his fiddle and he told me that lots of fiddlers tie ribbons or scarves onto their fiddle heads. Now I live in Cape Breton, and a Quebecois fiddler I know here told me that he's seen it done in Ontario, but not in Quebec or Cape Breton. So now I'm curious... do you decorate your fiddle, or have you seen others do so? If so, where are you or they from? Marion |
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27 Apr 00 - 02:26 PM (#219033) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: GUEST,JenEllen Marion: I have hand knotted/beaded ribbons on the fiddle I use to play by myself. The fiddle I use to play in sessions with others has no decoration. I don't know why, probably because it tends to distract from the music a bit, but that's just how it goes..;) My 'practice' fiddle is more for comfort than anything, and the ribbon was a gift from a friend who has died since. I can't seem to take it off, and don't really want to. Let's see...I learned classical violin in California, Bluegrass fiddle in Indiana, and then more folk/C&W fiddle since I've moved out West. Each area has it's own flavour. Thanks for the interesting topic, ~Elle |
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27 Apr 00 - 02:29 PM (#219037) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Sorcha My "Maggie" wears a crow feather and a magpie feather wrapped together with red, white and black thread. And for holiday gigs, she wears curling ribbons in seasonal colors. |
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27 Apr 00 - 04:16 PM (#219089) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Peg i know a young woman who plays stand-up bass and paints lovely designs on instruments, including her own...her partner is a percussionist and so there are many examples of her incredible work; she did one painting of a Green Man on a boudhran that has to be seen to be believed!
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27 Apr 00 - 07:08 PM (#219209) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: sophocleese Peg, what kind of paint does she use? I painted my guitar case and my husband's fiddle and banjo cases but haven't actually attempted to paint the instruments. I'd like to though but am worried about what paint to use. |
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27 Apr 00 - 09:09 PM (#219271) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Malcolm Douglas Painting a bass fiddle may not make much difference to the sound, but don't ever paint a violin unless it's a bad one and you're just going to use it as an electric! Malcolm |
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27 Apr 00 - 09:48 PM (#219291) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Ely A bunch of people I know put silk flowers, ribbons, ornaments, etc. on their dulcimers according to the season. I don't because I keep a pick bag hanging on the end (it looks like a Texas flag--I guess that could be a decoration). Got a pick bag on the guitar, too. I don't decorate it, although I do have a sentimental pick--too thin to use effectively but it's the one I used when I started learning and didn't know any better. I painted my soft nylon guitar and dulcimer cases with the plastic-type T-shirt paint you get at hobby shops. I draw the design in white paint first and then do color over it, otherwise the color seeps into the nylon too much and won't show up (my guitar case is black). Works really well--flexible, brightly-colored, and waterproof. |
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28 Apr 00 - 10:36 AM (#219513) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Peg hi; i think Violette uses acrylics cuz they dry faster...but i really am not sure, it may be oils...though i would think acrylics would affect the wood less than oil paint... |
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28 Apr 00 - 10:46 AM (#219520) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Sorcha I am definitely with Malcolm here--don't put paint on a good instrument!! Tie stuff on, sure, but leave the paint for cases, case covers, etc. Lord only knows what you would do the sound/finish of the instrument. I did once see a stand up bass that had a cowboy scene with windmills, cows, etc. wood burned into it. The whole picture wrapped all the way around the bottom of the instrument! |
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28 Apr 00 - 02:34 PM (#219635) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Bill D When Mark O'Conner was a young kid, he used to carry around a white painted fiddle, which he decorated with autographs of famous fiddlers..I saw him get Byron Berline's, and there wasn't much space left on that instrument...I never DID see him try to play it, though....I suppose it was just a hobby thing.. |
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28 Apr 00 - 02:39 PM (#219639) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Bill D ...and just on a hunch, I did a search on "white fiddle"....and back came the answer on Mark O'Conner's web site! he DID play the thing! |
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28 Apr 00 - 02:45 PM (#219640) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: JenEllen I've seen the woodburning done before, it can be stunning. I only keep the beads on as decoration. It's 'Spar's' uniform anymore. A friend made the beads, and they have a tiny inscription reading: "When I lived, I lived in the forest. When I died, I became the voice of the gods." She needs nothing more. ~Elle |
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28 Apr 00 - 02:57 PM (#219645) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: GUEST,Ole Bull I carve and decorate the Bridge, with ink, as was done in the old days. All other furnature I remove- metal tuners and neck/chin rests. Get rid of the chrome anachronisms that spoils the classic look. |
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28 Apr 00 - 03:46 PM (#219682) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Bert I knew this fantastic Ud player in Bahrain and his Ud was covered with flowers, I asked for a closer look expecting to see some exquisite inlay work, but it was just some decals (transfers) that he'd stuck on it. I'll have to do that with a guitar one day. As a matter of interest, In Bahrain the top of an Ud is often left unfinished and they clean 'em with sandpaper. Would horrify most Western Luthiers. Bert. |
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28 Apr 00 - 04:43 PM (#219701) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Sorcha Ud= Oud? Like a lute? just curious. |
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28 Apr 00 - 05:03 PM (#219704) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Bert Yep Ud is also spelled Oud, pronounced ood as in 'food'. Actually any English spelling is only an approximation as the word is Arabic which uses different characters. Like a lute but without frets and very lightly strung.
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28 Apr 00 - 09:43 PM (#219845) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Irish sergeant Bert: I haven't seen a oud since the Gulf War. My father played violin, guitar piano and banjo. The only instrument I ever saw decorated war the banjo the skin had an exquisite india ink drawing of a Gypsy musician and dancer on it. I have seen painted guitars. Don't know about the sound though. Mine in sans decoration. The case bears bumper stickers and such but I do have a nylon soft case that has all the ports I saw in the navy on it in india ink. My friend has a banjo he puts the Civil War reenacmets he's attended on much in the manner the average soldier did in those days with battles etc. Reguards, Neil |
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01 May 00 - 12:23 PM (#220821) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Rex The last place I played at, a cowboy fell over a table and my fiddle was decorated with beer. I sometimes decorate it a bit with whiskey but that tends to dull the finish. I did hear of a fiddle with these words on the back. In Silv Va Silvi Jam Mortua Cano Canora I the forest, I was silent Now dead I sing, Melodious Rex |
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01 May 00 - 03:30 PM (#220948) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: The Shambles Song about a chap who painted his fiddle blue. A Bumbling Englishman. To be found in the Mudcat Songbook. |
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01 May 00 - 04:15 PM (#220988) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: GUEST,Jim Paul This is SORT OF in the same vane. I play viola in a string quartet. I also like to drink beer. I found a 6-pack of bottled Celebrator beer. Then I had a wild idea with the emblem. The thing is just a little plastic goat rampant hanging from a string. Really cool. I saved the emblem, tied it around my peg, and passed the rest of them around one day, now we call ourselves The Double Bock String Qaurtet. |
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02 May 00 - 12:22 AM (#221260) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: mactheturk John Hartford decorated the back of his fiddle with a phrase coined by Captain Whey,his favorite Steamboat Pilot. It reads.... "that a boy hardly heard out, understands this best, nothing is real but the River and all else is a sham". |
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02 May 00 - 03:20 AM (#221324) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Peter Kasin A fiddler in the S.F. bay area has a rubber frog attached to the scroll. I always thought it should be on the bow, on the part where you hold it, which is called the... |
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02 May 00 - 09:33 AM (#221420) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Mooh No fiddle here, just a home made electric bass with a hand painted top by my (then) 7 year old of the sun rise/set over water. 'Often hang colourful bandanas from my guitars or straps in hot weather for the practical purpose of having something with which to wipe my hands and guitar. Another daughter made some lovely braids which hang from my oldest and dearest strap. Sentimental, eh! Don't think this is a regional affectation (I'm in Ontario), just some thing that happened. Peace, Mooh. |
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02 May 00 - 10:50 AM (#221458) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Dale Rose Recently I posted Henry Reed Fiddle Collection/184 tunes! about the Library of Congress site detailing (and I DO mean detailing) the influence of Henry Reed on old time fiddling.
But my main reason for posting is this great photo of Henry Reed and his older brother Josh, circa 1903. As it happens, Henry, who was 19 at the time, is playing the banjo in this old photo, so he is not the point of focus. Do check brother Josh's fiddle; it has what appears to be a white, or at least light colored, ribbon hanging from it. So the practice is certainly not a recent trend.
I'll have to add this to the list of things to discuss with our local folklorist, Dr. Bill, when I see him next. |
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02 May 00 - 12:49 PM (#221515) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Ely When I took violin lessons as a small child (20 years ago), I had a little plastic Mickey Mouse figuring that stood--I think on the fiddlehead? I don't even remember, it was so long ago. My mom tried everything to get me to practice. Of course, the fingerboard was "decorated" with Chart-Pak tape, too ;-). |
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02 May 00 - 02:39 PM (#221578) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: selby My 12 year old son has a cheap fiddle that we stripped down to the wood then painted white and finally added coulured paintings of Denis the Menace & Nasher (cartoon characters) it had a coat of acrylic varnish and the sound was not that bad. Keith |
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19 Jul 00 - 06:42 PM (#261117) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Marion I just remembered this thread. A young Cape Breton fiddler told me that it's not uncommon for people to tie a ribbon of their family's tartan onto their fiddles. I haven't seen this done yet, but I like the idea. Since I don't have a family tartan, I bought a piece of the Cape Breton tartan for my fiddle. It looks great. Marion |
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20 Jul 00 - 07:45 AM (#261450) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Bagpuss I painted a rubbish old guitar I used to have. It may have sounded awful, but it looked pretty good. I think it was acrylic paint I used - anyways it was the paint my little brother used for painting his fantasy role-playing figures. Bagpuss |
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20 Jul 00 - 08:13 PM (#261872) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Hardiman the Fiddler My fiddle has a very unusual design that is the purfling (if I spelled it right) that was part of the origninal design that the maker of the instrument designed. I wondered about this for quite some time, and took it to a local violin maker to ask him about it. He told me that Mr. Strativarius had a competitor; his name was Gaspar de Salo. Gaspar did not like it when his violins were mistaken for his competitor, so his hallmark was a fancy design that was put into the purfling on all his violins. Of course, mine is not an original. It is an inexpensive knock off imitation of German design from between 1880-1900. It has a glorious tone, and I guess it is somewhat rare. That's the decoration on my fiddle. Hardiman the Fiddler |
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21 Jul 00 - 03:24 AM (#261995) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Peter Kasin I bought a fiddle this June with a decoration already on it. The maker (Bob Childs) put at the base two angels playing fiddles; his insignia. |
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21 Jul 00 - 11:38 AM (#262157) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Sorcha We certainly decorated up the MudCat guitar with our signatures, does that count? |
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09 Jun 01 - 10:19 PM (#480005) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: GUEST,I decorate a dozen a year-take a look You can take a look at http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins What do you think ? |
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09 Jun 01 - 10:58 PM (#480013) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Sorcha I think they are wonderful---not just sure where the line between "decorate" and "customized" is, but I sure love your stuff! Glad you found a site to carry your pics,Don. |
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10 Jun 01 - 01:11 AM (#480058) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Donuel Today I worked on a Wild Horses violin that has stampeding horses running from lightning that disappears by just tilting the violin. The Golden eagle is still on hold but the tall ships with the sun in the water is going to be fantastic. The grain of the wood determines what will occur either with images or scroll work. Now how do I make a link on this forum ? |
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10 Jun 01 - 01:23 AM (#480062) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Justa Picker Custom Violins |
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10 Jun 01 - 01:26 AM (#480064) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Sorcha It's an HTML forum, you have to use <a href=whatever>. Go and look at the HTML section of the FAQ--the very first thread on the main forum page (it's Teal/Green).....It explains it much better than I ever could. Links don't automatically happen like on Maestronet, you have to open and close them.......
The FAQ thread will also tell you all kinds of other neat stuff too..........I'm so glad you are here, donuel. You can actually type words like cockatiel and use sarcasm without being censored. (Well, we do expect polite, adult behavior, but I don't see that as a problem with you, my friend, LOL! We don't have the nifty little icons so we have to use shorthand--you understand most of that, I'm sure) Also, be sure to go to the Quick Links on the top right of the Main Forum page, choose Mudcat Resources, and you can find our e mails and photos......FAQ tells you how to do that too. |
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10 Jun 01 - 07:58 AM (#480151) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Marion, the main people I see putting ribbons on, are the Acadian fiddlers. For instance, Robert Deveaux is one who does. Where in Cape Breton are you? Lanark, isn't that the place or near there that the Leahy family are known? |
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10 Jun 01 - 10:15 AM (#480195) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Donuel Thank you , Justa Picker (I see you are a prolific poster) and Sorcha . I see that there are posts that included David Rubio - man I empathize with - , and other subjects regarding violin innovations so there are obviously many here that are very well informed. At Maestronet the well heeled players were so caught up in pedigree I fear some have fallen for the "Emporers new $14,000 clothes trick". Then there are fiddlers like Henry the Fiddler who was simply too (conservative) to even try one of my best fiddles regardless of a 30 day trial period. I am still looking to equip a leading fiddler with one of my creations , be it new or vintage in origin. Its Sunday so I'm going to put on my Strength in Numbers CD with Edgar Meyers CD and make some waffles then set up a Super RED ruby violin with a midnight tiger on the back (its eyes gleam in the dark). Are esoteric science or ancient history posts to be proceeded by BS ?
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10 Jun 01 - 10:19 AM (#480197) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Donuel The most unusual violins on Earth |
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10 Jun 01 - 02:40 PM (#480337) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: GUEST,Philippa the Norwegians - they decorate their Hardanger fiddles |
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10 Jun 01 - 10:30 PM (#480552) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Marion George, I was in Whycocomagh, but I've moved back to Ontario. Lanark County is in Eastern Ontario, not far from Ottawa; I don't know where the Leahys are from but I don't think it's here. Cheers, Marion |
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11 Jun 01 - 10:42 AM (#480778) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: Jenny the T I've got a friend who has a wonderful antique french fiddle; on the back is inlaid a little village scene, and around the perimeter a latin motto meaning "In life was silence, in death is music" Inspired by that one, the last fiddle I finished (the one I'm currently playing; it's the best one I've ever done, and has a great sound)I did a bit of decorating myself prior to varnishing. As I play hardly anything but trad Irish tunes, I did a trinity knot (one of those Celtic interlaced knotwork thingies) in the center of the back, and round the perimter an Irish gaelic motto meaning "Let my voice lift the floor" (a step-dancer's saying, that). It turned out beautifully, if I do say so meself. I'm almost to the point with another fiddle where I can start thinking of a decorative motif for it, too, but I don't want to use the same one twice. JtT |
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11 Jun 01 - 11:46 AM (#480825) Subject: RE: Who decorates their fiddles? From: GUEST,MJ I thought the reason for putting a ribbon on your fiddle was to hang it on the wall. I always assumed this was common practice. Isn't this where the title of Tom Anderson's book comes from - "Hand Me Doon Da Fiddle" ? |
