Phil Berthoud
Fiddle, Guitar & Mandolin Performer, Author, Teacher, Composer, Arranger

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Bringing Polkas to Life – Part 2

Bringing Polkas to Life – Part 2

by | Jan 19, 2024 | Fiddle

Continuing on from the previous article where I added bowing to The Glen Cottage Polka, here I’ll add some possible ornaments and variations. 1          Looking now at variations, the first bar contains no slurs giving it a totally different sound to the previous...
Bringing Polkas to Life – Part 1

Bringing Polkas to Life – Part 1

by | Jan 19, 2024 | Fiddle

For this article, I’d like to share with you my thoughts on bringing polkas to life with bowing.  As usual, it’s the bowing that really drives the tune forward.  Variations and ornamentation can come later.  So, we’ll have a look at the great tune called The Glen...
Bringing Hornpipes to Life – Part 2

Bringing Hornpipes to Life – Part 2

by | Jan 19, 2024 | Fiddle

Following on from the previous article, which showed how to add effective bowing to the hornpipe Jim Boulton’s Fancy, here’s another look at the same tune.  This version moves on by showing a few ideas for ornamentation and variation.  Explanations are below....
Bringing Hornpipes to Life – Part 1

Bringing Hornpipes to Life – Part 1

by | Jan 19, 2024 | Fiddle

For this article, I’m looking at Irish hornpipes and how to bring them to life with sound bowing.  Hornpipes should have a real swing to them.  Often this is lacking, and it’s partly to do with the way that they’re often notated.  A lot of hornpipe sheet music has the...