Rules for Specialty Divisions

Specialty Divisions:

Picking -- One tune of the contestant's choice. Fast or slow, it's up to you!

Twin Fiddle -- One tune of the contestants' choice. Long passages of unison notes should be avoided. Points will be deducted if one player plays alone for more than a few notes. The key is to play TOGETHER! 

Judging Categories:

Pickers will by judged by 

Intonation & Clarity of Tone (20 points) Notes played clearly, with good tone.

Rhythm & Timing (20 points) The ability to set and maintain a steady, danceable temp appropriate to the tune type and style, with no unevenness, breaks in rhythm or dropped beats. Extra beats or measures are allowed in part of the tune if it is as the tune is traditionally played. Dotted notes or syncopation, when appropriate to the to the tune are also allowed. Excessive speed is not encouraged.

Style & Difficulty (20 points) The ability to play danceable music in a manner appropriate to the style of the music and in good taste. Variation and ornamentation should emphasize the distinctive flavor of the tune, not detract from or obscure it. The difficulty of a tune will be balanced with how well it is played (a simple tune played well will be scored higher than a difficult tune played roughly).

Twin Fiddlers will by judged by

Rhythm & Timing (25 points) The ability to set and maintain a steady, danceable temp appropriate to the tune type and style, with no unevenness, breaks in rhythm or dropped beats. Extra beats or measures are allowed in part of the tune if it is as the tune is traditionally played. Dotted notes or syncopation, when appropriate to the to the tune are also allowed. Excessive speed is not encouraged.

Tone & Clarity (25 points) Notes played clearly, on pitch with good tone (which doesn’t mean sounding like a concert violinist).

Expression (25 points) The ability to move the listener by the tasteful use of phrasing & dynamic, and by putting something of your own style or personality into the music.

Authenticity (25 points) The ability to play danceable music in a manner appropriate to the style of the music and in good taste. The fiddler should have a basic respect for the structure of the tune and the tradition and style of the tune’s origin. Variation and ornamentation should emphasize the distinctive flavor of the tune, not detract from or obscure it. While there may be not “correct” way to play any given tune, the fiddler’s version should by recognizable and not “short cut” any important elements of the tune.

Remember, all of the categories for Twin Fiddle will be considered in light of how the two fiddlers demonstrate the tune in combined effort. The correct pitch of one fiddle will not outweigh the "sourness" of the other, etc., etc., etc.

Groups* will by judged by

Rhythm & Timing (25 points) The ability to set and maintain a steady, danceable temp appropriate to the tune type and style, with no unevenness, breaks in rhythm or dropped beats. Extra beats or measures are allowed in part of the tune if it is as the tune is traditionally played. Dotted notes or syncopation, when appropriate to the to the tune are also allowed. Excessive speed is not encouraged.

Tone & Clarity (25 points) Notes played clearly, on pitch with good tone (which doesn’t mean sounding like a concert violinist).

Showmanship (25 points) This takes Expression (above) and adds to it skill of making an artistic performance distinctive, effective and appealing to an audience. The fiddler shouldn’t forget to smile!