This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Tue Jul 23 10:16:52 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: What fiddle judge Doug MacNaughton looks for in a contestant --------------------------------------------------- Having been a Fiddle Judge for 39 years, Doug MacNaughton looks forward to Fiddleville 2013 where he will be one of three judges alongside Ian Hamilton and Brian Hebert. MacNaughton says there are many things he looks for when judging. “All contests are a little different from each other and contestants must pay close attention to rules of the contest, that is key. Timing, versatility, degree of  difficulty of the piece being played, accuracy of the notes and whether the contestant can demonstrate that ‘old –time' style or feel' of the piece is very important,” said MacNaughton adding, “ Judges must look for something to take away in the way of marking as well as offering constructive criticism.” MacNaughton's most important tip of advice is not in regards to the quality of the violin necessarily, but mentions a great quality bow can make all the difference in a performance. “Violin and Fiddle strings can be adjusted, but bows are key,” said MacNaughton, “I believe in the 19th   century, in France, Francios Torte, an archer, deigned the best quality bows and they are still highly regarded to this day.” According to MacNaughton, a rare bow can go for $200,000 at auction. Today, carbon fibre bows and composite bows can range from a $1000 and upward. MacNaughton reminds people that Riedstra's Violin Shop, located in Waterloo carries excellent quality bows around the $100 mark. MacNaughton can recall being a kid and seeing a violin worth $500 and thinking that was a lot of money and cites the increase in price of a good violin today can range from $500 to $20,000  and upward depending on its origin. MacNaughton, a retired engineer has always been involved in music and has competed in Fiddleville as a young man. “When I was a kid, it was electrifying! There really was electricity in the air and when you walked through those doors you stayed through the night often until 5:30 in the morning! We didn't sleep for two days! It was a lot of fun,” said MacNaughton who credits Shelburne for having started the entire camping concept that so many people enjoy and ‘jam' at  to this very day. According to MacNaughton, 1977 is noted for having the largest entry list and says while Shelburne will see contestants from all over North America and Canada, the contest and contestants have changed over the years commenting, “People like me grew up with fiddle music and in many rural areas, it was their only source of entertainment. In my father's time, people would clear out the kitchen and have dances, sometimes all night.  People have lost interest in that kind of thing today, it doesn't happen so much. Today's playing has become a refinement and skill level has really excelled, but I find there's a little something missing. Kids today don't get the chance to play at dances. For the most part students only perform so they miss out on that beautiful old time feeling and connectivity to dance. Once in the 60's I heard a 95 year old man playing and it had a distinct and beautiful lilt. You just wanted to listen to it all night.” Early settlers made our society what it is today and now there are many different styles of  Fiddle and Violin play such as Rock Bands, Blue Grass, Bowfire, and Ashley MacIsaac, all great examples of the instrument's evolution. MacNaughton's students are well accomplished and often professionally travel performing their craft reminding young musicians there are professions to be had in the future. MacNaughton advises students who aspire to compete to find a good teacher and practice a lot and often mentions one of Canada's biggest assets, Shane Cook from Dorchester Ontario, telling students, “He didn't get that good just being gifted from God! It took a lot of hard work.” MacNaughton refers to the violin as ‘The King of instruments' and is definitely Shelburne proud. “A lot of attention gets focussed on out East and their accomplishments, and people must remember that Fiddling took place all over the world and especially around this part of Canada. Do not discount local talent at the Shelburne Canadian Finals!” By Alex Sher   --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2013-08-08 11:37:08 Post date GMT: 2013-08-08 15:37:08 Post modified date: 2013-08-15 23:26:58 Post modified date GMT: 2013-08-16 03:26:58 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com