Skip to main content

Traditional Cajun Fiddle: Instruction

Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz
Traditional Cajun Fiddle: Instruction

Fiddlers Dewey Balfa (1927–1992) and Tracy Schwarz (b. 1938) demonstrate the various aspects of playing the traditional Cajun fiddle on this instructional album. In their highly informative guide they teach the different parts to Cajun songs, such as “Jolie Blon,” “Perrodin Two Step,” and “Indian of the Stump.” Other tips offered include how to hold the fiddle depending on the player’s dominant hand. Liner notes include separate introductions from each musician, followed by 14 pages of illustrated instruction. Spoken tips heard on the album are transcribed as well.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Open Strings of Standard A 440 tuning Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:22
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Unisons and Octaves in the A chord Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:49
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Unisons and Octave in the D chord Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:31
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Doubling the strings in the A chord Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:01
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Doubling the strings in the D chord Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:37
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Doubling the strings in the E chord Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:29
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Line A1, "J'etais au bal hier (au) soir" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:48
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Line A2, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:29
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
Lines A1 & A2, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:45
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Line A3, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:28
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Line A4, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:24
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
112
Lines A3 & A4, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:43
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
113
Lines A1 thru A4, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:42
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
114
Lines A1 thru A4, tune #1, at near normal speed Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:43
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
115
Line B1, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:36
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
116
Line B2, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:33
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
117
Lines B1 & B2, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:52
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
118
Line B3, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:39
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
119
Line B4, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:37
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
120
Lines B3 & B4, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:43
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
121
Lines B1 thru B4, tune #1, slow Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:50
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
122
Lines B1 thru B4, tune #1, at near normal speed Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:44
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
123
Parts A & B, tune #1 Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:53
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
124
First half, line A1, "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:36
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
125
2nd half, line A1, "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:29
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
126
Whole line A1, "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:26
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
127
1st half, line A2, "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:21
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
128
2nd half, line A2, "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:26
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
129
Whole line A2, "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:41
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
130
Lines A3 & A4, "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:03
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
131
Line B1, "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:32
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
132
Line B2, "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:31
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
201
Jolie Blon - at normal speed with guitar accompaniment Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:04
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
202
Open Strings of the Lower G Standard Tuning Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:30
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
203
Octave and Doubling the Strings in the F chord Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:39
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
204
Key of C tune: "Perrodin Two Step" at slow speed Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:37
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
205
Introduction to Shuffle Type Bowing Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:16
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
206
Perrodin Two Step at near normal speed Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:30
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
207
Perrodin Two Step at normal speed with guitar Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:57
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
208
Doubling the Strings in the Bb chord (for key of F) Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:01
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
209
Key of F tune slow: "Grandpa's Waltz" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:44
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
210
Octave and Doubling in the A chord (for key of D) Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:55
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
211
Key of D tune slow:"La Valse de Gran Bois" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:59
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
212
Open Strings of Indian On the Stump Tuning Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:32
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
213
Octave and Unisons of Indian on the Stump Tuning Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:33
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
214
Shuffling the Bow for part 3, "Indian on the Stump" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:43
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
215
Slow version of "Indian on the Stump" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:48
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
216
Chords for 2nd Fiddle Bassing Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:59
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
217
Straight Bassing the 2nd fiddle on the "Perrodin Two Step" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:01
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
218
Rhythm Bow Bassing the 2nd fiddle on the "Perrodin Two Step" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:02
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
219
Shuffle Bow Bassing the 2nd fiddle on the "Perrodin Two Step" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:53
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
220
Regular Waltz and Two-Time Waltz: "Gran Mamou" and "Mademoiselle, Quoi Tu Veux Manger?" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:04
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
221
Straight Bassing the 2nd Fiddle on "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:27
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
222
Rhythm Bow Bassing the 2nd fiddle on "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 00:46
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
223
Shuffle Bow Bassing the 2nd fiddle on "Jolie Blon" Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:05
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
224
Modern Cajun 2nd fiddle: tune #1, slow, and normal speed Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
225
Unknown Title Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz 01:07