Cotton Eyed Joe on Homemade Fiddle

A whole lot of guesswork went into this one since it was hard to make out details in the old picture. A fun one to attempt! Thanks Shane Speal for posting the pic and grabbing our interest!

[@aaronflinner6431]

It's Really cool, like a little mountain dulcimer turned fiddle.

[@morbanjo2503]

Yup, sort of.

[@user-qn8hl9vx2w]

Wow 🎉

[@Phil-ww1dv]

An admirable endeavour.

[@morbanjo2503]

@@Phil-ww1dv Thank you.

[@bretttrowbridge4421]

Amazing 😮

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks!

[@ZachVance108]

This is beyond cool ! I’d love to here it paired with a Akonting or gourd banjo !

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks! I'd like to hear that myself!

[@johnmitchelljr]

Inspiring build, nice playing, you can hear the heart you put in that fiddle. Thanks for sharing.

[@morbanjo2503]

Thank you John.

[@stagelifelv9324]

Awesome!

[@mitchthefiddler]

Wow! That is an incredible fiddle you’ve made there morbanjo! I love the arrangement too! This is an incredible piece of history you’ve brought back to life here!

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks Mitchell. It looked like the one in the old photo didn't have a fingerboard so that's how this one is. The notes are played by lightly touching your fingertip to the string and not pressing down. I've seen some African and Asian instruments that are played this way but it's a new technique for me!

[@dennisdanner0]

Fantastic job of building and playing! Loved it!

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks!

[@Cigarboxnation]

Always love to see a new video from you Jim, well done good sir!

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks CBN person! Ben, Glenn or whomever it may be.

[@Cigarboxnation]

It's Nick this time around, but Ben and Glenn send their best as well!

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks Nick, good to hear from you!

[@bearshield7138]

far freaking out

[@morbanjo2503]

Thank you!

[@rodp7803]

SO awesome, not stop applause for you goodsir!

[@morbanjo2503]

Thank you

[@garycowger9579]

That is way cool , That goes to show that You don't need a hole lot to make good music with !

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks Gary. Scraps of wood and stuff can make music pretty nice!

[@mando_and_co]

Merci Mister! Encore une belle vidéo!

[@morbanjo2503]

Thank you Claude!

[@CircuitsAndStrings]

That’s an incredible fiddle.

[@morbanjo2503]

Than you Daniel. It's certainly got a unique look and sound.

[@dergriver]

Brilliant! 😀

[@bursabirlik9682]

Thanks

[@perfectwafflemedia]

Wonderful.

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks!

[@seapotato4435]

you should make an akonting (the banjo's african ancestor)

[@morbanjo2503]

Yes indeed, akonting is on my list.

[@rzsdad1]

That's nice! I really enjoyed this!

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks! It was a fun one to make and play.

[@aaronflinner6431]

Do you think you'll ever make another like this?

[@morbanjo2503]

I'm not sure. This one was an oddity with 3 strings and no fingerboard. The notes were played by lightly touching the strings like I've seen on some African instruments. It was pretty difficult to play.

[@gervasegallant]

That is amazing... had to watch this one a couple of times... so you aren't actually pressing right to the fingerboard! Guess this method would let you do more chording too... what about the body... anything special there? Did you use a soundboard and basebar?

[@brenchadpicks3]

What did you use for the strings and bow hairs

[@trackie1957]

Only 785 views? I'm going to spread the word on this! Love the sound, and a great voice, too. Not even a fingerboard! What, aside from the stick, did you use for the bow? Horsehair?

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks trackie! I took the horsehair from a broken fiddle bow and simply tied it to each end of the stick.

[@ryutubejp]

Awesome !!!

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks Ryuji!