“All things fiddle”

August 7, 2014 · 0 Comments

This week, the editor of the Shelburne Free Press, Wendy Gabrek, asked reporters to write on “all things fiddle.” The Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship is on in Shelburne August 6 – 10th and the town will be knee deep in fun and fiddles. The request, in and of itself, seemed like an intriguing idea for an article – and so began the ruminating on history, meanings and idioms associated with “fiddle.”

First, it is important to understand the difference between a violin and a fiddle, which is to say, there is no difference; they are the same instrument. There is an old joke however, that notes that the difference between a violin and a fiddle is – “you don’t spill beer on a violin.” In other words, “one is fancy and one is folksy.” Generally, the violin is referred to as a fiddle, or the music as fiddling, when the tune is a traditional, or ethnic based, folk composition – what we in Shelburne might refer to as “old time fiddle music.” However, there are endless variations and styles of fiddle tunes depending on the area of the world from which they are derived.

Fiddles, or violins, first appeared in Northern Italy in the early 1500’s and have been beloved by many ethnicities because of their small size; the fact that they could be made of easily accessible materials; and because they travelled well – they were readily portable and good for immigrating. And, because a fiddle can make quite a noise for its size, it proved practical for dance music, whether in the courts of kings or the barns of peasants, long before the time of amplification.

Referring to Italy, one is reminded of Nero fiddling while Rome burnt. Emperor or not, it was much more likely he was running then fiddling, considering his house was on fire and, as mentioned, the fiddle was not invented for another 1500 years. The phrase “fiddling while Rome burns” has become associated with enjoying, or busying oneself with something superficial while neglecting a more serious matter. On the other hand, in Nero’s defence, if you have to exit this world, why not go out with great music?

The Nero analogy seemed to have set off a barrage of negative connotations for fiddle, such as” fiddle around,” “fiddle away,” “fiddle with something,” and “fiddling” – as in “fiddling with the books,” and the less known “on the fiddle,” which means engaged in fraud. Even if it was impossible for Nero to play a fiddle in the year 68 A.D., in hindsight, the derogative terms derived from his name certainly seem to suit the corrupt and unmindful leader.

Scarlett O’Hara, played by Vivien Leigh, also known for being unmindful at times, turned “fiddle dee dee” into a household word in the 1939 film Gone With the Wind with outrageous lines like “Fiddle-dee-dee! War, war, war; this war talk’s spoiling all the fun at every party this spring.”

“Fiddlestix” was another old southern expression that Scarlett used, and although “Fiddlestix” or “Fiddlesticks” may be negative in its use, its origins are found in the real playing of a pair of sticks on the neck of the fiddle, while the fiddler bows the instrument, in order to create percussion over the melody and more sound from one instrument. “Fiddlestix” is the name of the five member band hosted by the Shelburne Legion Friday, August 8th at 8:30 p.m.; the band features an electric fiddle.

To be “first fiddle” in the orchestra, as in life, is a good thing, but to be second fiddle…not so much. To be “fit as a fiddle” or “right as a fiddle” is to be admired, just as the skilled craftsmanship of a well made fiddle which requires dexterity to be well played. A person who was well liked was said to have a face “made of a fiddle” – always curled into a smile like the curled shape of a fiddle. To have “more than one string to one’s fiddle” is an excellent tribute to the instrument, meaning to have many talents. And our more mature fiddlers will prove the value of their years, during the competition this week, as “there’s many a good tune played on an old fiddle.”

The bass fiddle is another thing altogether, apparently used to deride the clumsy amongst us, as in someone incapable of “hitting a bull in the behind with a bass fiddle.” It seems “The Cat in the Fiddle” remains a mystery, although historians have tried to tie it to randy royalty or align it with the constellations, no one knows for certain what the cat is doing with the fiddle or why the dish ran away with the spoon.

What we do know, is that the word fiddle put Shelburne on the musical map back in the 1950’s and continues to attract, excite and entertain music lovers from all over North America year after year. Here at the Free Press, we extend good luck to the competitors, gratitude to the Rotarians and all the volunteers who make this festival great, and for the visitors and residents of Shelburne and area we wish the best of “all things fiddle.”

For more information on Fiddlefest, and the competition, visit shelburnefiddlecontest.com

By Marni Walsh