INFORMATION
FOR SCOTTISH FIDDLING

If you are new to Scottish Fiddling we hope the following information will be helpful to you in preparing for the Allegheny Mountain Scottish Fiddling Championships, which is sanctioned by Scottish FIRE. Please read carefully.

PROCEDURE: In Open category the competitors shall play first an air then pause, followed by a set of tunes – a march, strathspey and reel in that order without a pause. For any fiddler who has played in three novice events; any fiddler who has competed in previously in an Open Scottish event.

In Intermediate: Play an air then pause, followed by a set of tunes, a march, strathspey and reel in that order without a pause. Competitors in this event must be under eighteen at time of the competition.

In Novice: The competitor shall play an air, pause and follow with a march, and one other tune. A strathspey is preferred but a reel, jig or hornpipe is acceptable. Novice is for any fiddler who has only played in the Scottish style for less than a year or playing fiddle for less than five years.

In event of a tie, a strathspey and a reel are played, including the same set which was played during initial competition.

JUDGING: The judging of the play is as follows:

A.   Time (30 points)

Tempo, continually of music, rhythm. The tempo must be appropriate to the tune chosen and to the style of execution. The rhythm must be appropriate to the tune chosen (i.e., reel, strathspey, etc.)

While some variations may be appropriate for proper interpretation, the overall contest and structure of the tune should not be lost to specific techniques of execution of expression.

B.    Execution (30 points)

Command of the instrument, both fingering and bowing; and technical skill in the playing of ornamentation, in correct intonation, and in the mastery of effects.

C.   Expression Interpretation (40 points)

The quality of the performance that appeals to the hearer’s feelings, reflecting the performer’s judgment and ability in capturing and conveying the sentiment of the traditional associations of the tune.

D.   IN ALL ASPECTS, PERFORMANCE IN THE TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH STYLE WILL BE THE SIGNIFICANT ELEMENT IN DISTINGUISHING OTHERWISE TECHNICALLY COMPARABLE PERFORMANCES.

In the March-Strathspey-Reel sequence the following additional factors shall be considered as a part of expression.

Transition – March to Strathspey:

Does transition suit tunes, provide am effective bridge for the hearer in terms of melodic flow or rhythmic punctuation?

Transition – Strathspey to Reel:

Same as above.

Overall Effect:

Extent to which the tunes, as played, stand together as a coherent musical statement.

Scottish Fiddle music shares with other styles of Celtic fiddle music such forms as jigs, hornpipes, and reels. The strathspey, however, is uniquely Scottish. It is to Scotland what the jig is to Ireland and the reel is to England. The strathspey features the Scottish “snap”, a combination of slow and quick notes found in no other music. Although not recorded and identified by name until 1743, the peculiar rhythm is surely linked to very early Scottish dance steps.

Another typically Scottish form of fiddle music is the march in which we can frequently hear the interplay that fiddle and bagpipe music have produced over the centuries and the influence that Scotland’s military traditions have had on Scottish music. The Scottish air and lament have a unique character. In listening to these tunes, one can hear expressed on the fiddle, the Scottish romanticism and the Scottish capactiy for depth of feeling and bittersweet melancholy.

• All music must be memorized.

• Competitors must compete in one class only.

• An additional strathspey and fast dance tune should be prepared for possible tie breaking.

• After placing twice in a category, competitors must move up to next category.

• All competitors will be expected to participate in workshop.

• All male competitors must wear traditional Scottish dress – the kilt. Women must wear a white blouse and tartan skirt.

Order of competition will be determined by date of receipt of entry form. First received will perform last, with the last received competing first.

Competitors must be ready to compete when called. Look for signs to competition area. Register between 8:00 – 8:30 A.M.

9:00 A.M. Workshop – Novice and Junior

10:00 A.M. Workshop – Open

Competition starts 1:00 P.M.