Hi Fiddlers!  I am Bonnie Bewick, and since I am on this website, I will first say that I am a fiddler, then mention that I am also a classical violinist who plays in the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  I have some thoughts on classically trained musicians playing folk music.  I teach violin, and I head a group of  classical plus folk musicians called Classical Tangent, and I am finding that my biggest challenge with these very talented and earnest people is their rhythm.  You'd think that BSO musicians' rhythm would be just rock solid, but it seems that when we get out of our comfort zone we get all tight and pushy.  I know I am included in this, however, I spend alot of time making folk music my comfort zone, so I see the problem resolving.  It's never any problem for classically trained musicians (let's call them "ctm's" to save characters) to learn the notes.  Then they start to get the swing of it, then the bowing technique, as in, that chugging kind of sound.  BUT it is almost impossible to get them to lock into a groove.  When we work on it, I label it "goal-oriented", but that's just a nice way of saying "You are rushing like crazy!"  

Probably the key is just listening to great fiddling.  A few times through Kevin Burke's "If the Cap  Fits" should get 'em going in the right direction.  

I want to play just like that!!!  Sadly, I never will, because I've been ubertrained!  

Other suggestions I have involve holding the fiddle lower, so one isn't gripping it so much with the chin.  Playing along with a recording so you can hear some backup.  Drinking a beer.  Oh, and of course TAPPING YOUR FOOT.  This is a BIG no no in classical music.  It's VERY difficult to get ctm's to tap, stomp, bop, thump, or move in a groovy way.  I'm no Paula Abdul myself-I really had to work on getting that foot going!  The next thing I need to work on is making a cool sounding noise when we are about to switch tunes!  Any suggestions?

Cheers to you all!!

Bonnie