Traditional Cajun Fiddle: Instruction
Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz

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
101
|
Open Strings of Standard A 440 tuning | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:22 | |
102
|
Unisons and Octaves in the A chord | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:49 | |
103
|
Unisons and Octave in the D chord | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:31 | |
104
|
Doubling the strings in the A chord | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:01 | |
105
|
Doubling the strings in the D chord | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:37 | |
106
|
Doubling the strings in the E chord | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:29 | |
107
|
Line A1, "J'etais au bal hier (au) soir" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:48 | |
108
|
Line A2, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:29 | |
109
|
Lines A1 & A2, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:45 | |
110
|
Line A3, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:28 | |
111
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Line A4, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:24 | |
112
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Lines A3 & A4, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:43 | |
113
|
Lines A1 thru A4, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:42 | |
114
|
Lines A1 thru A4, tune #1, at near normal speed | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:43 | |
115
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Line B1, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:36 | |
116
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Line B2, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:33 | |
117
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Lines B1 & B2, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:52 | |
118
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Line B3, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:39 | |
119
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Line B4, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:37 | |
120
|
Lines B3 & B4, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:43 | |
121
|
Lines B1 thru B4, tune #1, slow | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:50 | |
122
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Lines B1 thru B4, tune #1, at near normal speed | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:44 | |
123
|
Parts A & B, tune #1 | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:53 | |
124
|
First half, line A1, "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:36 | |
125
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2nd half, line A1, "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:29 | |
126
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Whole line A1, "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:26 | |
127
|
1st half, line A2, "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:21 | |
128
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2nd half, line A2, "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:26 | |
129
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Whole line A2, "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:41 | |
130
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Lines A3 & A4, "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:03 | |
131
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Line B1, "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:32 | |
132
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Line B2, "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:31 | |
201
|
Jolie Blon - at normal speed with guitar accompaniment | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:04 | |
202
|
Open Strings of the Lower G Standard Tuning | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:30 | |
203
|
Octave and Doubling the Strings in the F chord | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:39 | |
204
|
Key of C tune: "Perrodin Two Step" at slow speed | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:37 | |
205
|
Introduction to Shuffle Type Bowing | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:16 | |
206
|
Perrodin Two Step at near normal speed | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:30 | |
207
|
Perrodin Two Step at normal speed with guitar | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:57 | |
208
|
Doubling the Strings in the Bb chord (for key of F) | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:01 | |
209
|
Key of F tune slow: "Grandpa's Waltz" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:44 | |
210
|
Octave and Doubling in the A chord (for key of D) | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:55 | |
211
|
Key of D tune slow:"La Valse de Gran Bois" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:59 | |
212
|
Open Strings of Indian On the Stump Tuning | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:32 | |
213
|
Octave and Unisons of Indian on the Stump Tuning | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:33 | |
214
|
Shuffling the Bow for part 3, "Indian on the Stump" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:43 | |
215
|
Slow version of "Indian on the Stump" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:48 | |
216
|
Chords for 2nd Fiddle Bassing | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:59 | |
217
|
Straight Bassing the 2nd fiddle on the "Perrodin Two Step" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:01 | |
218
|
Rhythm Bow Bassing the 2nd fiddle on the "Perrodin Two Step" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:02 | |
219
|
Shuffle Bow Bassing the 2nd fiddle on the "Perrodin Two Step" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:53 | |
220
|
Regular Waltz and Two-Time Waltz: "Gran Mamou" and "Mademoiselle, Quoi Tu Veux Manger?" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:04 | |
221
|
Straight Bassing the 2nd Fiddle on "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:27 | |
222
|
Rhythm Bow Bassing the 2nd fiddle on "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 0:46 | |
223
|
Shuffle Bow Bassing the 2nd fiddle on "Jolie Blon" | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:05 | |
224
|
Modern Cajun 2nd fiddle: tune #1, slow, and normal speed | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:13 | |
225
|
Unknown Title | Dewey Balfa and Tracy Schwarz | 1:07 |