INTRODUCTION
Hello Musical Friends!
In March, 2020, my family and I initiated the FIDDLE HELL ONLINE JAM, just about every Sunday at 8PM Eastern time and sometimes on Wednesday at 5PM Eastern time, live streaming on the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Facebook group.
My wife Cindy and I are taking time every day to play tunes together. We're remembering old ones and learning some new ones. Playing music takes us to a good place
. As well, our son Andy and his wife Joy are doing a lot of creative playing, and our son Eric and his fiancée Autumn Rose are never far from their instruments.
Why not play along with us and with Fiddle Hell instructors? At the appointed time, just open up the Facebook Live stream, posted in the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Facebook group, take out your instruments (and voices), and join in or just listen. The jam leader(s) will often post a playlist in advance, including keys, and may be able to take requests on the stream. Some tunes will be from the FIddle Hell Common Tune List. Most tunes will be at intermediate level, with a few easier ones and sometimes a few advanced ones. The jam leaders won't hear you, but they'll know you're there, and you'll be able to play along in real-time.
Hello Musical Friends!
In March, 2020, my family and I initiated the FIDDLE HELL ONLINE JAM, just about every Sunday at 8PM Eastern time and sometimes on Wednesday at 5PM Eastern time, live streaming on the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Facebook group.
My wife Cindy and I are taking time every day to play tunes together. We're remembering old ones and learning some new ones. Playing music takes us to a good place
. As well, our son Andy and his wife Joy are doing a lot of creative playing, and our son Eric and his fiancée Autumn Rose are never far from their instruments.Why not play along with us and with Fiddle Hell instructors? At the appointed time, just open up the Facebook Live stream, posted in the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Facebook group, take out your instruments (and voices), and join in or just listen. The jam leader(s) will often post a playlist in advance, including keys, and may be able to take requests on the stream. Some tunes will be from the FIddle Hell Common Tune List. Most tunes will be at intermediate level, with a few easier ones and sometimes a few advanced ones. The jam leaders won't hear you, but they'll know you're there, and you'll be able to play along in real-time.
Click here on our online Tip Jar (now, during, or after the jams) to contribute with credit/debit cards, PayPal, or checks. 80% goes to the musicians, 20% to Fiddle Hell scholarships and expenses. Say who it's for if you're donating after the jam is over.
The technology may be new to some of you, but once you've found the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Facebook group, and joined it, you should be ok to see the live jams. And you can replay previous jams (and even slow them down) on our Fiddle Hell YouTube channel.
Speaking more broadly, these are truly difficult times for all of us, especially for musicians who thrive on community. I hope you are doing ok, staying healthy, and coping with the wrenching changes to everyday life.
It's a good time to concentrate on tunes, and also to support your favorite performers in their online and virtual performances until life tilts back in the direction of normal.
My family and I wish you all the best in the broad, diverse, and supportive Fiddle Hell community!
Please let us know how you're doing.
Dave Reiner
Speaking more broadly, these are truly difficult times for all of us, especially for musicians who thrive on community. I hope you are doing ok, staying healthy, and coping with the wrenching changes to everyday life.
It's a good time to concentrate on tunes, and also to support your favorite performers in their online and virtual performances until life tilts back in the direction of normal.
My family and I wish you all the best in the broad, diverse, and supportive Fiddle Hell community!
Please let us know how you're doing.
Dave Reiner
RECENT JAMS
February 7, Sunday, 8PM EST. Andy Reiner & Joy Adams led a multi-style jam (old-time, Irish, New England, world, ...). Watch the video, see the playlist, and jam along on the Fiddle Hell YouTube Channel - You can even slow it down (click on the gear icon to select the speed).
UPCOMING JAMS
Feb 14, Sunday, 8PM EST. Judy Hyman and Jeff Claus will lead an old-time jam!
Watch from the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Facebook Group.
Click here on our online Tip Jar (now, during, or after the jam) to contribute with credit/debit cards, PayPal, or checks. 80% goes to the musicians (who are donating the money to a local organization), 20% to Fiddle Hell scholarships and expenses. Say who it's for if you're donating after the jam is over.
February 21, Sunday, 8PM ET, jam leaders TBD.
February 28, Sunday, 8PM ET, jam leaders TBD.
March 7, Sunday, 8PM ET, jam leaders TBD.
March 14, Sunday, 8PM ET, jam leaders TBD.
March 7, Sunday, 8PM ET, jam leaders TBD.
March 14, Sunday, 8PM ET, jam leaders TBD.
March 21, 8PM ET, Sunday, Meet more Fiddle Hell Online instructors, who will chat briefly about their workshops and play you a tune (join in if you like).
March 28, 8PM ET, Sunday, Meet more Fiddle Hell Online instructors, who will chat briefly about their workshops and play you a tune (join in if you like).
April 4, 8PM ET, Sunday, Meet even more Fiddle Hell Online instructors, who will chat briefly about their workshops and play you a tune (join in if you like).
April 11, 8PM ET, Sunday, Meet a few more Fiddle Hell Online instructors, who will chat briefly about their workshops and play you a tune (join in if you like).
April 15-18, with 35 different jams at Fiddle Hell Online (+ 35 concerts + 200 workshops).
PREVIOUS JAMS
The easiest way to view previous jam videos is on our Fiddle Hell YouTube Channel (please SUBSCRIBE). Videos include a description of the jam leaders and their instruments, and usually the list of tunes in the jam (sometimes in order, sometimes not). The YouTube playlists on our channel will let you browse New England jams, Oldtime jams, Irish jams, French Canadian jams, Cajun jams, Bluegrass jams, and more.
On YouTube, it is possible to slow jams down without changing the pitch of notes. Here's how:
1. Play the video in YouTube.
2. Hover your mouse in the center of the playing video and click on the Settings icon, which resembles a gear.
3. In the menu, scroll to find Playback speed and click it.
4. YouTube gives you eight options for playback speed.
You can contribute to the Tip Jar for previous jams (just say who it's for where it says "Add a note" on the last screen before donating).
On YouTube, it is possible to slow jams down without changing the pitch of notes. Here's how:
1. Play the video in YouTube.
2. Hover your mouse in the center of the playing video and click on the Settings icon, which resembles a gear.
3. In the menu, scroll to find Playback speed and click it.
4. YouTube gives you eight options for playback speed.
You can contribute to the Tip Jar for previous jams (just say who it's for where it says "Add a note" on the last screen before donating).
As an alternative to YouTube, you can replay previous jam videos on Facebook by clicking on the links in the list below. On Facebook, the videos are not trimmed (as they are on YouTube), so you may have to advance videos a few minutes to get to the first tune). However, you are able to see comments made during the jam in a Facebook video replay.
March 25, led by Andy Reiner (fiddle, mandolin) & Joy Adams (cello, banjo), for oldtime, world, and Rustic Roots tunes. The playlist and keys were posted in the Facebook group, with a link to the Rustic Roots tunebook with some of the tunes written out.
April 1, led by Autumn Rose Lester (fiddle) & Eric Eid-Reiner (piano), for New England and Irish tunes at an intermediate level.
April 7, led by Dave Reiner (fiddle, mandolin) & Cindy EId (banjo, bodhrán), for songs and easier oldtime tunes, and a few Western Swing and Irish ones.
April 15, led by Alan Kaufman (fiddle) & Vern Imrich (guitar), for oldtime tunes and songs.
April 22, led by Mariel Vandersteel (Hardingfele) & Stash Wyslouch (guitar) for oldtime, Irish, bluegrass, and Scandinavian tunes.
April 29, led by Katie McNally (fiddle) & Neil Pearlman (piano, mandolin), for Scottish and Cape Breton tunes.
May 3, led by Cathy Mason (fiddle) & Steve Arkin (banjo, guitar) for oldtime and a few Cajun tunes.
April 29, led by Katie McNally (fiddle) & Neil Pearlman (piano, mandolin), for Scottish and Cape Breton tunes.
May 3, led by Cathy Mason (fiddle) & Steve Arkin (banjo, guitar) for oldtime and a few Cajun tunes.
May 6, led by Joy Adams (cello, fiddle, dulcimer) and Andy Reiner (fiddle, octave mandolin) for oldtime, world, Irish, and Rustic Roots tunes.
May 10, led by Ellery Klein (fiddle) for Irish traditional tunes.
May 13, led by Patrick M'Gonigle (fiddle) & Allison de Groot (banjo), for bluegrass and oldtime tunes & songs.
May 17, led by Mitch Reed (fiddle), for Cajun and a few Irish tunes & songs.
May 27, led by Becky Tracy (fiddle) & Keith Murphy (guitar, vocals), for New England & French Canadian tunes & songs.
May 31, led by Kevin Burke (fiddle), for Irish traditional tunes (jam starts around the 5 minute mark).
June 3, led by Laura Orshaw (fiddle, vocals) & Tony Watt (guitar, vocals), for bluegrass tunes and songs.
June 7, led by Ellen Carlson (fiddle, vocals), for bluegrass and oldtime fiddle tunes, and a few classic country songs.
June 10, led by Autumn Rose Lester (fiddle) & Eric Eid-Reiner (piano), for New England & Irish tunes.
June 14, 8PM ET, Sunday, led by Pete Sutherland (fiddle, piano, banjo, guitar) & McKinley James (cello), New England tunes.
May 10, led by Ellery Klein (fiddle) for Irish traditional tunes.
May 13, led by Patrick M'Gonigle (fiddle) & Allison de Groot (banjo), for bluegrass and oldtime tunes & songs.
May 17, led by Mitch Reed (fiddle), for Cajun and a few Irish tunes & songs.
May 20, led by David Surette (guitar, mandolin, vocals) & Susie Burke (guitar, vocals) & Isa Burke (fiddle, vocals), for Irish tunes, Carter family songs, & more. Best viewed on YouTube. On Facebook, split into four videos due to technical issues at www.facebook.com/david.surette.94/videos/10158330166061668/ Reel de Montreal in G, Kesh Jig in G and www.facebook.com/david.surette.94/videos/10158330251626668/ Gold Watch and Chain in E, Michael Turner's Waltz in G, It Hurts Me Too in D, Shove That Pig's Foot a Little Further in the Fire in G, April with the Flying Bow/Frank's Reel in A, Cold Frosty Morning in Am and www.facebook.com/david.surette.94/videos/10158330346431668/ Cold Frosty Morning in Am, Foggy Mt. Top in G, Over the Waterfall in D, Maison de Glace in D and www. facebook.com/david.surette.94/videos/10158330408371668/ Maison de Glace in D, Quite Early Morning in C, The Party Tune in D, Colours in C, Cliffs of Moher in Am, Red Red Robin in A, June Apple in A.
May 24, led by Jerry Bryant (guitar, uke, bones, concertina, vocals), for folk songs, sea shanties, hornpipes, & more May 27, led by Becky Tracy (fiddle) & Keith Murphy (guitar, vocals), for New England & French Canadian tunes & songs.
May 31, led by Kevin Burke (fiddle), for Irish traditional tunes (jam starts around the 5 minute mark).
June 3, led by Laura Orshaw (fiddle, vocals) & Tony Watt (guitar, vocals), for bluegrass tunes and songs.
June 7, led by Ellen Carlson (fiddle, vocals), for bluegrass and oldtime fiddle tunes, and a few classic country songs.
June 10, led by Autumn Rose Lester (fiddle) & Eric Eid-Reiner (piano), for New England & Irish tunes.
June 14, 8PM ET, Sunday, led by Pete Sutherland (fiddle, piano, banjo, guitar) & McKinley James (cello), New England tunes.
June 17, 5PM ET, Wednesday, led by Pascal Gemme (fiddle, feet) and Marie-Soleil Pilette (piano), for Québécois tunes & songs.
June 21, 8PM ET, Sunday, led by Bruce Molsky (fiddle, banjo, vocals), for oldtime tunes & songs.
June 24, 5PM ET, Wednesday, led by Baron Collins-Hill (mandolin, bouzouki), for New England, Irish, Scottish, and French Canadian tunes.
June 28, 8PM ET, Sunday, led by Lorraine Hammond (mandolin, dulcimer, banjo, harp, vocals) & Bennett Hammond(guitar, banjo, autoharp, vocals), for Appalachian mountain songs, oldtime & Irish tunes.
July 1, 5PM ET, Wednesday, led by Glen Loper (mandolin, tenor banjo) & Bethany Waickman (guitar, piano), for Contradance tunes (New England, Irish, Oldtime).
July 1, 5PM ET, Wednesday, led by Glen Loper (mandolin, tenor banjo) & Bethany Waickman (guitar, piano), for Contradance tunes (New England, Irish, Oldtime).
July 5, 8PM ET, Sunday, led by Rose Clancy (fiddle, mandolin) & Clayton March (fiddle), for Irish traditional tunes.
July 8, 5PM ET, Wednesday, led by Seán Heely (fiddle), for Scottish and a few Irish tunes.
July 12, 8PM ET, Sunday, led by Jay Unger (fiddle, mandolin) & Molly Mason (guitar, piano), for "Favorite Jam Tunes from Ashokan Music & Dance Camps."
July 15, 5PM ET, Wednesday,led by Andy Reiner (fiddle, mandolin) & Joy Adams (cello, banjo) with a focus on Acoustic Grooves - favorite tunes from their band Half Pelican, their camp Rustic Roots, and the Fiddle Hell Whomp Jam. The jam encompassed oldtime, Irish, New England, Scandinavian, and world genres, with jigs, reels, waltzes, and more.
July 19, 8PM ET, Sunday, led by Dr. Richard Brown (mandolin, vocals) & Margaret Gerteis (bass, vocals), for bluegrass.
July 22, 5PM ET, Wednesday,led by Shana Aisenberg (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, piano), covering East European tunes to Appalachian Oldtime, with a bit of Klezmer thrown in. Music will be available for the less common tunes.
July 22, 5PM ET, Wednesday,led by Shana Aisenberg (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, piano), covering East European tunes to Appalachian Oldtime, with a bit of Klezmer thrown in. Music will be available for the less common tunes.
July 26, 8PM ET, Sunday, led by Jenna Moynihan (fiddle), for Scottish tunes fast and slow (and a few from Cape Breton).
July 29, 5PM ET, Wednesday, Rob Flax (guitar, fiddle, mandolin), for blues and a bit of bluegrass.
August 2, 8PM ET, Sunday, Yann Falquet (guitar, vocals) & Eric Boodman (fiddle) for a Québécois session.
August 9, 8PM ET, Sunday, Pam Weeks (fiddle) & Bill Olson (guitar) for an easy jam on New England and Oldtime tunes.
August 16, 8PM ET, Sunday, Andrea Beaton (fiddle) & Betty Beaton (piano) for a Cape Breton / Scottish session.
August 23, 8PM ET, Sunday, George Fowler (fiddle) & Art Bryan (guitar) for a Contra Dance tune jam. Best viewed on YouTube.
August 26, 5PM ET, Wednesday, Too Blue from Connecticut, with Betsy Rome (guitar), Joan Harrison (banjo), and Michael Sassano (mandolin), for a Bluegrass and Swing jam. Best viewed on YouTube.
August 30, 8PM ET, Sunday, Beth Bahia Cohen (fiddle), for a Romanian, Hungarian, Klezmer, Greek, and Turkish jam (music provided online).
September 6, 8PM ET, Sunday, Mitch Reed (fiddle) for a Cajun & Creole jam.
September 13, 8PM ET, Sunday, Judy Hyman (fiddle) & Jeff Claus (guitar) for an Old-Time Jam. Best viewed on YouTube.
September 20, 8PM ET, Sunday, Laurel Martin (fiddle) for an Irish traditional jam. Best viewed on YouTube.
August 16, 8PM ET, Sunday, Andrea Beaton (fiddle) & Betty Beaton (piano) for a Cape Breton / Scottish session.
August 23, 8PM ET, Sunday, George Fowler (fiddle) & Art Bryan (guitar) for a Contra Dance tune jam. Best viewed on YouTube.
August 26, 5PM ET, Wednesday, Too Blue from Connecticut, with Betsy Rome (guitar), Joan Harrison (banjo), and Michael Sassano (mandolin), for a Bluegrass and Swing jam. Best viewed on YouTube.
August 30, 8PM ET, Sunday, Beth Bahia Cohen (fiddle), for a Romanian, Hungarian, Klezmer, Greek, and Turkish jam (music provided online).
September 6, 8PM ET, Sunday, Mitch Reed (fiddle) for a Cajun & Creole jam.
September 13, 8PM ET, Sunday, Judy Hyman (fiddle) & Jeff Claus (guitar) for an Old-Time Jam. Best viewed on YouTube.
September 20, 8PM ET, Sunday, Laurel Martin (fiddle) for an Irish traditional jam. Best viewed on YouTube.
