Woody Cavenaugh

It finally arrived, and now I am the proud owner of an entry model fiddle. I even got a DVD to learn with. In the first five minutes of the DVD I learned that the DVD is not a substitute for professional training. I also learned that I need to buy a tuner, and some tuner-loc.

I think that with my taste in music the fiddle is the obvious choice. Fiddle is heavily used by They Might Be Giants. I think I first considered fiddle back in the 80's thanks in no small part to the stylings of Dexy's Midnight Runners. Celtic Rock favorites Seven Nations, and the Young Dubliners. My favorite band,, well...my OTHER favorite band uses the fiddle heavily. Great Big Sea plays music traditional to Newfoundland Canada. Of course, you can hardly have bluegrass without fiddle.

My first goal is to pick out "Come on Eileen", and "Istanbol (not Constantinople)". My second goal is to really learn some of those amazing old tunes that Great Big Sea has brought back to the surface. As rich and as interesting as the music this is I'm betting that the traditional songs of North Carolina will also be both fun to learn and fun to play.

But first, I have to survive that terrible period of time where I can only make squawking noises that all manage to hit the "kill my husband" button on my wife. I can only hope I am a quick study, and a fast runner.
Wish me luck