The "fiddle" is one of the most prevalent instruments, crossing geographic and stylistic boundaries with ease. In this course, we will take a look at several of the world's "fiddle" traditions, including those of American Bluegrass, the Chinese Erhu, the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle, the Indian Classical violin, the Western Classical violin, the Apache violin, the Persian Kamanche, Jazz violin, the electric fiddle, and perhaps others (click here for images and sounds for some of these traditions). In addition to becoming familiar with the music of each instrument (through readings and listening), we will examine the relationship between the design of the instruments and the music that is made with them. We will try to reach a deeper understanding of how musicians achieve a sense of identity through their fiddles, and how this identity is expressed in its cultural context.

We will consider notions of musical expression and communication as they relate to each tradition. We will also examine how some of these traditions have changed as they have been transplanted, particularly to America. Similarly, we will look at traditions that have been popularized or incorporated into new, hybrid, "cross-over" styles. We will consider the future of these traditions, and imagine how they might survive, change, and remain vibrant. Finally, we will look inwards and ask how, if at all, these traditions function in America, and how traditions from elsewhere might eventually become "American" traditions. The "fiddle," then, will serve as our mechanism for unfolding issues that transcend the instrument and teach us about the diversity, function, and importance of music in America and the world today.