ogohiap

No, playing out of tune or even doubting one’s tuning in a session really is no fun.

It’s a matter I wish more people took seriously. And I’ve noticed that, rightly or wrongly, many people assume that fiddle players should be deferred to in matters of tuning, especially if they seem like violinists fiddlers.

Thistle, I am glad the tuning for…[Read more]

First, are you sure you were the one going out of tune?

On a warm day, especially if people had just brought stringed instruments from air-conditioned cars or houses, they might have been going sharp.

Electronic tuners have lot of advantages–especially in string-only sessions like you describe, where at least in theory everyone can…[Read more]

Greetings from Taiwan. There is a small but very dedicated happy few Taiwanese playing Irish music here.

Greetings also to Belfast, Maine. Ever run into the six million dollar man, Steve Austin?

Just one precaution: so-called “sponges ” are made of all kinds of petroleum produces nowadays, and some of these can react in all kinds of funny ways with some of the varnishes on some instruments–“funny” meaning ugly and damaging.

Unless you plan to do some snorkeling and get real natural sponges on your way to the airport, probably best not…[Read more]

Hi Tndel

I’ve flown a lot in the last thirty years, invariably with a fiddle or similar instrument (mandolin, tenor banjo), and have also made my living for many years repairing and restoring fiddles (mostly violins). So I’ll try to combine those perspectives.

Loosening strings is good advice on a guitar, especially steel-string. Guitar str…[Read more]