Album Notes

Matt Brown is a renowned teacher and performer of old-time fiddle. Old-Time Fiddle Lesson Vol 1 includes 12 fiddle tunes played at both a slow and moderate tempo. The first six tunes are in standard violin tuning (GDAE) and offer those new to the style a portal into old-time music without having to re-tune. Those tunes are: Ducks on the Millpond, Soldier's Joy, Backstep Cindy, Black Eyed Susie, Sugar Hill, and Jack Wilson. Duck River and Arkansas Traveler are played out of D tuning (ADAE), and Fire on the Mountain, Grub Springs, Sandy Boys and Old Joe Clark are played in cross G tuning (GDGD).

These fiddle tunes are authentic arrangements based on Matt’s intimate knowledge of many great fiddlers and not generic or simplistic versions. The CD starts with Ducks on the Millpond, a well-known dance tune from Mount Airy, North Carolina. It is an approachable version with a straight-forward bowing that is nonetheless quite rhythmic. Matt has included several other standard tunes that are commonly played in beginner and intermediate jam sessions (Arkansas Traveler, Soldier’s Joy, Old- Joe Clark, Black Eyed Susie, and Sugar Hill). In learning all twelve of these tunes, students will gain an appreciation for the beauty and subtlety of old-time fiddling and a working knowledge of critical bowing techniques.

The slow tempo tunes are performed at a speed that allows the student to hear the nuances and to play along as they are learning. The moderate tempo tracks allow students to get a complete sense of the melody, rhythm and overall feel. As the student becomes more proficient with the tune they will be able to play along with the moderate tempo tracks. Four of the tunes on this instructional CD are included on Matt's CD Lone Prairie (5SP05007). Students can refer to that recording to hear the repertoire executed up to speed with a top-notch trio of old-time musicians.

Old-Time Fiddle Lesson Vol 1 is designed to be an effective tool for both students and teachers. For students, Old-Time Fiddle Lesson Vol 1 is an essential learning aid to supplement instruction in old-time fiddle. For violin teachers, Old-Time Fiddle Lesson Vol 1 offers a fun and informed way to add new dimensions to teaching the instrument.

About Matt Brown

Matt Brown has grown up surrounded by Appalachian music and has been playing the violin since the age of four. Matt has had the honor of studying with some of the very best old-time musicians, including Bruce Molsky, Dirk Powell, Bruce Greene, Rafe Stefanini, and Brad Leftwich. In the past several years, Matt has established himself both as a performer and as a teacher. He performs as a soloist, with Paul Brown and Beverly Smith as the Lone Prairie Band, with the percussive dance ensemble Rhythm in Shoes, and with the Philadelphia-area dance group FiddleKicks. Matt just returned from a inspiring week teaching at the Blue Ridge Old-Time Music Week at Mars Hill College, and will also be teaching this summer at the Swannanoa Gathering's Old-Time Week (July 22-27) and Ashokan’s Southern Week (August 12-18). Matt teaches students of all ages and skill levels. He teaches privately in Southeastern Pennsylvania and in workshops wherever he goes.