fiddletune

Fiddletune is a term used in folk music to denote a short instrumental melody played on the fiddle; it is typically melodic, danceable, and served as the building block for longer sets or sessions. It can refer to the tune itself or to a style favored by fiddlers.

The word blends fiddle with tune, but the concept is found across many traditions where fiddling is central, including Irish and Scottish folk, Appalachian mountain music, Scandinavian folk, and Breton and Balkan traditions. Fiddletunes usually do not have lyrics and are taught and learned by ear.

Musical characteristics: They are often 8 to 32 bars in length, with repeated phrases and a clear AABB or ABAB structure. They commonly use modal scales, such as Dorian or Mixolydian, and employ ornaments like cuts, rolls, slides, and grace notes to create rhythmic drive. They may be reels, jigs, or hornpipes in rhythm, but the term emphasizes the tune as a standalone melodic unit.

Performance and transmission: Fiddletunes are central to jam sessions and dance events, transmitted orally or through simple tunebooks. In ensembles, fiddlers often lead with a melody while other players provide accompaniment or harmony; tempo tends to be brisk to match dancing.

Regional variations and influence: While the core idea is shared, regional fiddletunes exhibit distinctive tunings, bowing patterns, and ornamentation. Contemporary composers and film or game soundtracks sometimes employ the fiddletune concept to evoke folk authenticity.