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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=7955 Export date: Wed Jul 3 11:41:52 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Shelburne craftsman preserving fiddle history The soulful vibrato of the fiddle has resonated through this land for centuries, a musical echo of our ethnic mosaic, each unique bow blending to compose a multitude of distinctively Canadian melodies. From the early years of French settlement in Quebec and the Scottish and English fur traders of the Hudson's Bay Company, who carried their tunes across the north-west to the Métis where they found musical expression in the fiddle as their aboriginal traditions were discouraged and displaced by the government, to the profound influence of the Irish immigrants in lumber camps and rural and urban communities throughout the colony. These early musicians established fiddle playing as Canada's foremost folk music tradition ever since the first fiddle sounded in Lower Canada in 1647, and began bowing its way into our cultural history. From those early days to now, Canadian fiddle traditions have been passed on and preserved by players, admirers and artisans. Local craftsman Jim Cheyne has become part of that history with his hand crafted fiddles made at his home in Shelburne. Born in Erin Township, near Hillsburgh, Jim and his wife Jean have lived in Shelburne since 1972 when they opened a window manufacturing business. They enjoyed attending Shelburne's Old Time Fiddle Contest, and as Lions Club members they have been directly involved with the camping facility hosted by Kinsmen & Lions Clubs for many years. Jim and Jean also hosted many fiddle contestants billeted during the festival's competition week. Well known Ontario fiddler April Verch stayed with the Cheynes for several years, and Jim says she played a role in inspiring his interest in violins. The Shelburne Canadian Open Old Time Fiddlers' Contest, started in 1949, and is hailed as one of the longest running of its kind in Canada. Most fiddle contests of the time imitated the Don Messer's format with a medley including a waltz, jig and reel, and still do. Maritime musicians, “Don Messer and His Islanders” became revered by Canadians during the radio age, and “Don Messer's Jubilee” TV show was faithfully followed in Canadian homes, with favourite tunes like “Big John McNeill” and “Smile Awhile,” from 1959–1969. Music played a large role in Jim Cheyne's family home, but so did woodworking, a love of Jim's since the age of four, when, he fondly recalls, “my brother and I would make our own toys out of wood.” After completing school, Jim says he worked in the carpentry trade until he went into the window business, “I always enjoyed making wood furniture when time would allow.” In 2003, Jim decided to use his skills with wood to try to build a fiddle. It was while playing host to another contestant, Peter Dawson, who made and played fiddles in the Ottawa Valley, that Jim was able to borrow his first book of fiddle plans and instructions. “After many hours of studying, I started my first fiddle and have made ten to date,” he said. Making fiddles is a hobby for Jim, so he says there is no time limit as to how long it takes. He uses three species of wood: maple is used for the back, the ribs and the neck; spruce is used to create the front of the fiddle; and ebony is used for the fingerboard and the tuning pegs. Many hours are spent shaping, contouring front and back, and finishing, so that when the instrument is completed it weighs less than a pound of butter. One of Jim's most unique fiddles was on exhibit at the Rotary Showcase at the Shelburne Town Office and is currently on display at Holmes Music & Appliance Store. This commemorative fiddle is beautifully painted, with portraits of championship fiddlers, by Shelburne artist Sandy Harron. Jim has given his hand crafted fiddles to family and friends as “keepsakes to enjoy.” He does not play the fiddle himself, but he has played his part in preserving the fiddle history of Shelburne…a melodious note in our Canadian cultural identity. It's a good bet you can meet Jim and Jean Cheyne at the 64th Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship: August 6–10 in Shelburne. For more information visit www.shelburnefiddlefest.com By Marni Walsh  On the flip side of Jim Cheyne's fiddle is the old barn dance competition stage and a portrait of Vince Mountford who was well known as a comical Master of Ceremonies at the Shelburne Canadian Open Old Time Fiddlers' Contest for 34 years. Vince was apparently famous for reflecting on his one and only attempt at competing by saying, “After I played, the audience gave me a hand...because they were glad I was finished!” |
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Post date: 2014-06-12 10:09:54 Post date GMT: 2014-06-12 14:09:54 Post modified date: 2014-06-18 12:24:09 Post modified date GMT: 2014-06-18 16:24:09 |
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