Questions & Answers

What is a violin, and what is a fiddle, and what is the difference between the two. These seem to be the everlasting question asked of violinists. In truth, as a physical instrument they are one and the same, and there is no difference at all. It's more to do with the style of playing. A folk musician will almost always use the term 'fiddle', while a classical musician will call it a violin. As a musician who's played in both worlds, I can see the benefits of both styles of playing, and find it difficult to choose a preference.

So why folk or classical? For many people it's either one or the other, however there are plenty of benefits of each, especially of folk music for classical musicians. Growing up in the classical world of playing, I've met countless musicians who play perfectly with the notes in front of them, but who, once the music is taken away, are lost. I think it is a vital skill for any musician to be able to improvise and think outside the notes of the written piece. You can learn a lot as a musician by taking a piece of music right back down to the chord progression and structure. However it is also true that a folk musician can gain a lot from learning the scales and structure of classical playing. I myself went through the primary school instrumental music program, and from there went through the AMEB grades, and from my own interest in learning other genres began playing the 'fiddle', and folk music. I've found as my playing has changed, I no longer think in terms of notes and melodies, but in chords and progressions. It is important not to completely disregard everything one has been taught, but also important to understand the difference in style  - virtuoso playing in a folk session would not only look but also sound foolish and out of place, and the same vice-versa.

There are many fiddle programs and workshop series' in the Brisbane area for students to learn - the Brisbane Celtic Fiddle Club and the Moreton Bay Fiddle Club, where tunes are taught primarily by ear - no music notation is used. There are also plenty of traditional folk sessions - where musicians sit around a table in a pub or cafe and play tunes and songs, and anyone can join in. Musicians of any age can benefit a huge amount from learning about the differences between folk and classical, and 'fiddle', and 'violin'.


- Erin Roberts