Please suggest a unique and wonderful gift(s) for a fiddler
May 12, 2014 8:20 PM Subscribe
Subject is a mature lady who about four years ago took up the violin and has progressed into fiddling. Probably at the early intermediate stage of expertise. Birthday coming up and I'd like to surprise her with unique and wonderful gift(s) that go along with her joy of fiddling. Violins/fiddles are out as are bows. Thank you and I'll return the favor when the question comes up for something I'm qualified to provide an opinion.
Amazon suggestions for fiddle books. Surely she doesn't have all of them.
posted by blob at 8:47 PM on May 12, 2014
posted by blob at 8:47 PM on May 12, 2014
A shoulder rest, perhaps? I'm sure someone who knows more about fiddling can tell whether those Bon Musica ones are really the best or not.
posted by axiom at 8:52 PM on May 12, 2014
posted by axiom at 8:52 PM on May 12, 2014
Fiddler here. I wouldn't get her any books containing sheet music since fiddling is traditionally learned by ear. How about taking her to see some live fiddle music in your area?
posted by Sal and Richard at 8:57 PM on May 12, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Sal and Richard at 8:57 PM on May 12, 2014 [3 favorites]
Fiddler here as well... Some ideas:
1. Pay (or help pay) for a sojourn to fiddle camp or a festival. Depending what style she likes to play and where you live, this might not be too expensive.
2. Tickets to see a favorite fiddler in concert or in a master class.
3. Books and/or CDs of tunes. While many fiddlers do learn by ear, many (including yrs. truly) also use sheet music. I learn a lot of my tunes from sheet music or use it to supplement or refresh my memory. I'm a huge fan of the Fiddler's Fakebook by David Brody, which is about as close to a comprehensive collection of traditional fiddle tunes as you'll find, especially when paired with the Portland Collection or the New England Fiddler's Repertoire.
4. A handheld audio recorder to capture what she hears at jams and such.
5. A nice violin case. Bobelock makes good ones in a range of prices, styles, and colors.
6. Does she like stickers? I have this one of a fiddling rat on my violin case.
posted by underthehat at 9:05 PM on May 12, 2014 [5 favorites]
1. Pay (or help pay) for a sojourn to fiddle camp or a festival. Depending what style she likes to play and where you live, this might not be too expensive.
2. Tickets to see a favorite fiddler in concert or in a master class.
3. Books and/or CDs of tunes. While many fiddlers do learn by ear, many (including yrs. truly) also use sheet music. I learn a lot of my tunes from sheet music or use it to supplement or refresh my memory. I'm a huge fan of the Fiddler's Fakebook by David Brody, which is about as close to a comprehensive collection of traditional fiddle tunes as you'll find, especially when paired with the Portland Collection or the New England Fiddler's Repertoire.
4. A handheld audio recorder to capture what she hears at jams and such.
5. A nice violin case. Bobelock makes good ones in a range of prices, styles, and colors.
6. Does she like stickers? I have this one of a fiddling rat on my violin case.
posted by underthehat at 9:05 PM on May 12, 2014 [5 favorites]
I came in to suggest a nice case, so I will second that.
posted by trip and a half at 9:29 PM on May 12, 2014
posted by trip and a half at 9:29 PM on May 12, 2014
Maybe there's a magazine that's all about fiddling and fiddlers? A subscription would make a nice gift.
posted by aryma at 10:03 PM on May 12, 2014
posted by aryma at 10:03 PM on May 12, 2014
I probably wouldn't go with a shoulder rest, as that's a pretty personal choice (and a surprising-to-me amount of fiddlers don't use them). The Bon Musica is nice and extra-adjustable, though.
My go-to small gift for violin students lately has been Magic Rosin. So pretty! So many colors!
Either that, or if there is a sheet music store slash luthier slash music gift emporium in your town, a gift certificate there is a good call. $50 will get a bow rehaired, get a set of new strings, or buy some sheet music plus a CD of a local fiddler at mine.
posted by charmedimsure at 10:29 PM on May 12, 2014
My go-to small gift for violin students lately has been Magic Rosin. So pretty! So many colors!
Either that, or if there is a sheet music store slash luthier slash music gift emporium in your town, a gift certificate there is a good call. $50 will get a bow rehaired, get a set of new strings, or buy some sheet music plus a CD of a local fiddler at mine.
posted by charmedimsure at 10:29 PM on May 12, 2014
I wonder if there's a coffeetable book about the history of fiddling, how and when it developed, cultures/subcultures that feature it. I'd totally read that book.
posted by Measured Out my Life in Coffeespoons at 11:11 PM on May 12, 2014
posted by Measured Out my Life in Coffeespoons at 11:11 PM on May 12, 2014
Another fiddler here. I just bought Hot Licks for Bluegrass Fiddle for myself and it's pretty great — it has material for players of every level and even has a whole chapter on playing Orange Blossom Special! I will agree with answers above that learning old time/fiddle/bluegrass tunes from sheet music can be problematic but being able to come into a jam with another dozen tunes you're familiar with can be great.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 8:47 AM on May 13, 2014
posted by OverlappingElvis at 8:47 AM on May 13, 2014
This artist makes amazing custom silk violin covers and will do commissions.
posted by Poldo at 11:12 AM on May 13, 2014
posted by Poldo at 11:12 AM on May 13, 2014
Response by poster: Thank you very much, all suggestions are great. I'll appear to be very insightful thanks to everyone. I'll return the favor.
posted by KneeDeep at 7:18 PM on May 14, 2014
posted by KneeDeep at 7:18 PM on May 14, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by foxfirefey at 8:43 PM on May 12, 2014 [1 favorite]