Hank Williams Fiddle

The fiddle playing of Jerry Rivers and Tommy Jackson on the songs of Hank Williams set the foundation for country music fiddling. In this fiddle lesson I look at the different techniques which, once learned, will allow you to play on any Hank Williams song, and most country songs in general. I look at the intro and how it relates to the chorus; how to harmonise the intro; the importance of knowing the vocal line and chord sequence; working with or without a pedal steel player; two-note chords, chops and shuffles, the "walking fiddle" technique for knotting the chords together, and how and when to play solos. This lesson is based on part of my pdf booklet "The Hank Williams Collection", available free to my patrons (see below).
There are plenty more videos lessons on the country songs of Hank Williams, plus basic country fiddle techniques, elsewhere on The Fiddle Channel.
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 directly help to 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 three backing tracks each 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
/ thefiddlechannel
2. BOOKS
I have eight 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
You can order from
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; tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
Part 2 tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Discovering Rock Violin. . Based on my Schott book
£35 for 46 lessons
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle. Based on my Schott book. 31 lessons for £31.99
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
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
academyoffolk....
I suggest you contact me before subscribing.
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
[e-mail]

[@louiseh1727]

You da boss!

[@TheLeonCastle]

As a producer and multi-instrumentalist (not violin), this video gave me very resourceful tools. Thanks a lot Chris, you're awesome.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks!

[@waynesanchez6504]

THANK YOU, SIR! First time I've seen such a treatment.
Hank Williams also PLAYED some Country fiddle!
I've seen a photo of him playing at a concert.
Hank learned guitar from Rufus Payne, but no one speaks of Hank playing guitar and how that came about.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Wayne!

[@kevinoftroy]

This is very helpful. Some of my favorite music!

[@johntait491]

Great stuff Chris. Well done. 👍

[@johnnygrossmusic]

Geart Chris!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Johnny!

[@EllenMurphy-k1j]

Is fiddle playing or more instruments playing in the background two Hank Williams okay wondering ❤

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Ideally you'd have at least a guitar. YOu'd have to be a pretty experienced player to back a singer with just the fiddle.

[@IMBrute-ir7gz]

Did Jerry Rivers play in standard tuning? It sorta sounds like he tuned his fiddle "Cajun Style", that is FCGD.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

I've not heard that he did that, and I've not recognised that sound on any of the tracks I've studied. Do you have a particular song in mind?

[@IMBrute-ir7gz]

@@TheFiddleChannel Well, pretty much everything! I've heard every Hank song out there and have wondered about this. Fifty years ago, I worked with a Cajun band in Louisiana and their fiddler used a "C" tuning so he could work better with the "French" accordion.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

@@IMBrute-ir7gz Yes, I know Cajun fiddlers often tune down because of the accordion, but I see no reason for this on HW songs.