The Double Shuffle (Hokum Bowing). Let's take it from the start!

The Double Shuffle, also known as Hokum Bowing, is a fiddle bowing technique equally at home in bluegrass, western swing and commercial country. In this fiddle lesson I explain and demonstrate how to master the pattern, starting really slow and simple. A free pdf of the bowing patterns is available to subscribers (see bottom of the description).

The double shuffle is a syncopated pattern covering two bars of quavers, in a pattern of two, four threes and another two. A single lower note, usually an open string, makes up most of the pattern, while a note on the next string up starts each group of three, so that the bow is energetically rocking backwards and forwards. The upper note provides an accent which constantly pulls or pushes against the beat, providing a high level of excitement.

The double shuffle is found in several Old Time tunes including Cotton Patch Rag, Back up and Push and Beaumont Rag. Most famously it is used in instrumental versions of the Orange Blossom Special. This was a song written by Ervine T Rouse in honour of the brand new diesel-electric train running from New York to the "Orange Blossom State" of Florida, inaugurated in 1938.

In this video lesson I start with a single bar with 2,3,3, working really slowly. I then add the second bar of 3,3,2, giving the pattern 2,3,3,3,2. A helpful mnemonic is "With a one-and a- two and a three and a four and a five".
We gradually increase the speed, then start to add different upper notes. We then add doubled or drone notes on the accents. Finally we look at the chord sequence A/D/E/A used in the Orange Blossom Special chorus, and show some double stop variations commonly used by fiddlers when playing the tune. Finally I demonstrate how, once the pattern is mastered, it is possible to improvise on the upper notes.

Below are details of further fiddle resources from Chris Haigh

1. Patreon
2. Books
3. Subscription video courses
4. Website
5. Email to request pdf’s.

1. PATREON
This is a platform where anyone can help support creative artists and get closer access to their work. You can join me on Patreon at three levels, for £4, £10 or £40 per month.



At the lowest level you get access to all my pdf’s and tune collections, plus many exclusive tuition videos not available to the public.
At level 2 you can join also me once a month for a group Zoom chat, and can request a backing rack once a month.
Level 3 gives you all the above plus a free lesson once a month, and access to all my backing tracks.

You can find me on Patreon at
https://www.patreon.com/thefiddlechannel

2. BOOKS
I have seven fiddle tuition books published by Schott, all widely available from the publisher, from Amazon, and many other outlets. All come with audio tracks illustrating the tunes and exercises.


Exploring Jazz Violin
Beginning Jazz Violin
Discovering Rock Violin
Exploring Folk Fiddle
Exploring Klezmer Fiddle
Hungarian Fiddle Tunes
French Fiddle Tunes

Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle (due out October 2021)


You can order from
https://bit.ly/31ZWmgm

3. VIDEO SUBSCRIPTION COURSES
I have three video subscription courses
-
MUSIC GURUS- Exploring Jazz Violin. Based on my Schott book
Parts 1 and 2 are each £26 for 26 lessons, covering the first and second halves of the book
Part 1; https://tinyurl.com/49tfk5ef
Part 2 https://tinyurl.com/23atebfc



-MUSIC GURUS- Discovering Rock Violin. . Based on my Schott book
£35 for 46 lessons
https://tinyurl.com/2ua2kuxh

ACADEMY OF FOLK
Includes a folk fiddle primer course, with introductions to basic techniques and concepts plus an Irish Fiddle Course and Scottish fiddle course. A monthly sub of $9.99 gives access to all lessons
https://academyoffolk.com/

4. WEBSITE
My website is probably the most extensive and detailed summary of fiddle styles on the web, as evidenced by the range of top hits on Google for many fiddle styles.
www.fiddlingaround.co.uk
___________________________________________________________________________________
TO REQUEST PDF’S, or ask any questions, CONTACT ME AT
haighchris@hotmail.com

Видео The Double Shuffle (Hokum Bowing). Let's take it from the start! канала The Fiddle Channel