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Cape Breton fiddling is a regional violin style which falls within the Celtic music idiom. Cape Breton Island's fiddle music was brought to North America by Scottish immigrants during the Highland Clearances. These Scottish immigrants were primarily from Gaelic-speaking regions in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides. Although fiddling has changed considerably since this time in Scotland, it is widely held[who?] that the tradition of Scottish fiddle music has been better preserved in Cape Breton.

In the span of the 1920s to the 70s, Cape Breton's fiddling style faced decline.

Dance styles associated with the music are Cape Breton step dancing, Cape Breton square dancing (Iona style and Inverness style), and highland dancing.

In 2005, as a tribute to the area's traditional music, the construction of a tourism center and the world's largest fiddle and bow was completed on the waterfront in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Features of the Cape Breton Fiddling style
Cape Breton fiddling has a distinct style that sets it apart. Various features of this style can be examined to differentiate Cape Breton music from other fiddling styles.


 * 1) Scotch snap: One of the most distinguishing characteristics of Cape Breton fiddling. This is a quick up-driven bow followed by a long downbow. In this technique, the bow's tip is used for the first sixteenth note, and the rest of the bow handles the next three notes, emphasizing the final sixteenth note. This approach produces an accent reminiscent of Gaelic songs and pipe music
 * 2) Cuts: These are a sequence of notes played using the wrist to “snap” or shake the bow while playing the notes.
 * 3) Grace notes: These quick notes played above or below the melody note throughout the tune are used for embellishment.
 * 4) Vibrato: This is a sequence done quickly by the left hand (if right-handed), applying pressure to the strings and releasing multiple times. Vibrato is a relatively new addition to the tradition.
 * 5) Doubling: This is a technique wherein the fiddler places their fourth finger on the next lower string, to bring out an older sound and make it louder.
 * 6) Drones: These are held notes on open strings above and below the medley, it can mimic the sound of the pipes.

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