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Text Content

Skip to main content
 * Home
 * Info
   * Q&A about FH
   * How To at FH
   * Racial Justice
   * Workshop Levels
   * Common Tunes
   * Playing by Ear
   * Jamming Guidelines
   * Mailing List Signup
 * Artists
 * Schedule
 * Store
 * Look
 * Listen
 * Online
   * Donations
   * Online Jams
 * Policies
   * Privacy Policy
   * Fulfillment Policy
   * Attendee Agreement
   * Teen Agreement
   * Child Agreement
 * Contact
 * Links

Register

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Type 2 or more characters for results.
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 * Home
 * Info
    * Q&A about FH
    * How To at FH
    * Racial Justice
    * Workshop Levels
    * Common Tunes
    * Playing by Ear
    * Jamming Guidelines
    * Mailing List Signup

 * Artists
 * Schedule
 * Store
 * Look
 * Listen
 * Online
    * Donations
    * Online Jams

 * Policies
    * Privacy Policy
    * Fulfillment Policy
    * Attendee Agreement
    * Teen Agreement
    * Child Agreement

 * Contact
 * Links

Register



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Registration - with senior & junior discounts - is OPEN for Fiddle Hell in
person, Nov 7-10, 2024. 
Whova (our FH app) is live for November; you can sign in HERE once you've
registered. On phone or tablet, use the Whova app instead.
Click HERE to access the replays & handouts if you paid for extended access to
the April Fiddle Hell Online replays! On phone or tablet, use the Whova app
instead.

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Thanks to Joni Lohr for wonderful Fiddle Hell photography!


FIDDLE HELL IN-PERSON, NOV 7-10, 2024, WESTFORD, MA

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We're delighted that Fiddle Hell will be back at the Westford Regency in
Westford, MA, Nov 7-10, 2024. 

Here are some helpful things to know for attendees at Fiddle Hell. 

IN-PERSON: Fiddle Hell will be an entirely in-person festival in November. Meet
up and jam with your old friends and make new ones! Sessions will not be
recorded for replays online.

SESSIONS: We'll have more than 400 sessions, with 20 concerts, 40 artist-led
jams, and 350 workshops! And there will be lots of informal jam spots as always.
While all acoustic instruments are welcome, the main tracks are for fiddle,
mandolin, guitar, banjo, cello, and singing, at 4 different levels. Have fun
with your fellow musicians as you absorb techniques, styles, tunes, and history,
from an amazing set of instructors.

ARTISTS: We'll have a great staff of almost 90 teaching and performing artists
including Liz Knowles, Pascal Gemme, Katie McNally, Darol Anger, Sharon
Gilchrist, Rachel Eddy, and Rev. Robert Jones. The detailed schedule is
published (in draft form), including session descriptions, instruments, levels,
and artists.

REGISTRATION: Tickets are available for 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, and single days
on our Registration Page. There are discounts for senior and junior players,
current members of ASTA (American String Teachers Association), and non-playing
parents or guardians. 

Tickets will likely be available at the FH event itself. However, we suggest
signing up early since the total number of tickets for each day will be limited.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS: Fiddle Hell Massachusetts LLC follows current conditions
to determine Covid protocols for all participants. We also look at best
practices from experts and from other music camps and festivals. In November,
2024, vaccinations, rapid tests, and masking are OPTIONAL. More details are
available HERE.

ROOM RESERVATIONS: Sorry, the hotel is now sold out. Hotel room reservations at
the Westford Regency will be available only to registered attendees, on a
first-come, first-served basis.  Rates are $121/night/room, plus taxes.  If you
wish to book a room, please call the Westford Regency Inn at (978) 692-8200
AFTER you have bought your FH ticket and have received your FH code for the
hotel in your confirmation email.  If the  hotel is sold out, ask to be added to
the waiting list - that sometimes works out well. There are other hotels nearby,
such as the Hampton Inn & Suites Westford just a mile away. And commuting is a
good option if you live close enough or stay with a friend - there's lots of
free parking at the Westford Regency.

GIVEAWAYS: Fiddle Hell is giving away a "head" violin to an early bird
registrant for our November Festival. This fiddle was played for many years by a
busker in New Orleans. It's in the style of Gasparo Duiffopruggar. Sign up in
July for 3 chances to win this fiddle; in August for 2 chances; in September for
1 chance. Other early bird giveaways were books, CDs, strings, Fiddler
magazines, online lessons, and 2 front-row seats to one of 3 live performances
in Groton, MA, by BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, the Jacob Jolliff band, and
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas. 

LOGISTICS: We'll use Whova software (optional on your smartphone, tablet, or
computer) for the detailed agenda, to provide handouts, and to add an exciting
channel of connection within our FH community. Whova is available now. Whova was
very helpful at the last 6 online FH festivals and the last 2 in-person
festivala, and participants really liked it. We’ll also have printed grids, but
not extensive program booklets. Food and drinks will be available at the hotel
and nearby. There will be a dinner break from 6-7:30PM on Th, Fr, and Sat. The
hotel has free parking and a large parking lot.

NEXT ONLINE FH: The next ONLINE Fiddle Hell will be April 3-6, 2025. 

On behalf of Fiddle Hell and my family, we hope you are doing ok, staying
healthy, and coping with the challenges of everyday life. We've had a great time
jamming, learning, and having fun with you in the last few years, both in-person
and online. It's been a time for friendship and reconnection, and for awesome
learning and listening. We'll see you in November!

Warmly,
Dave Reiner

DETAILS AND GIVEAWAYS FOR NOV 7-10, 2024

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Click the links on the left or use the menus suggested

TEACHING ARTISTS - or click on menu Artists
SCHEDULE - or click on menu Schedule 
REGISTER  - or click on menu Register = the orange button
HOW TO - or click on menu Info and choose How To at FH
T-SHIRTS - You can pre-order t-shirts & hoodies here and pick them up at Fiddle
Hell. There will also be some styles and sizes for sale at Fiddle Hell.
VIRTUAL EXHIBITORS - More details in Whova for attendees.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS - or click on menu Info and choose Q&A about FH
(includes COVID precautions)
GIVEAWAYS - We'll have an amazing "head" fiddle and more to give away to early
bird registrants (before Oct 1).
POLICIES - or click on menu Policies to see our Privacy and Fulfillment
Policies, and Agreements for Attendees, Teens & Kids
JOIN FH EMAIL LIST - or click on menu Info/Mailing List Signup


Please visit the Fiddle Hell Facebook group, Facebook page, Instagram channel,
YouTube channel (with jam videos & artist previews), and Twitter account by
clicking on the links, or on the icons on the top or bottom of this page.

There's lots of other helpful info under menu Info.

Early bird giveaways
Fiddle Hell is giving away a "head" violin to an early bird registrant (before
Oct 1) for our November Festival in 2024.  This fiddle was played for many years
by a busker in New Orleans. It's in the style of Gasparo Duiffopruggar, and is
responsive and easy to play, with a clear and even tone across the strings.
Carbon fiber bow and fitted case are included, for a value of about $1500.

   

    



Sign up in July for 3 chances to win this fiddle; in August for 2 chances; in
September for 1 chance. We'll give away the fiddle to the lucky winner at the
Saturday Night Concert, Nov 9, 2024 (you don't have to be at the concert to
win).

Early birds were also entered with those same chances to win two front-row seats
at one of three different concerts at the Groton Hill Music Center, Groton, MA.
Sept 27th: BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Oct 4th: The Jacob Jolliff Band
Oct 19th: Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

Other monthly early bird giveaways, matched to the winners' musical interests,
were books, CDs, strings, Fiddler magazines, and online lessons.


WELCOME STATEMENT

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Fiddle Hell strives to be an actively inclusive and welcoming place for people
of all racial groups, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities
and/or expressions, sexual orientations, incomes, religions, and other
identities. We value and embrace all forms of diversity among our staff and
participants. In August 2020, we identified a number of areas where Fiddle Hell
could improve with respect to racial justice, and we took taking steps to put
these ideas into action. We were excited to offer workshops in 2020-2024
and continuing in the future that provide opportunities to learn about the
contributions and roles of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the
origins and evolution of the instruments, tunes, and styles we play. Please
click here to read about these steps in our full Statement about Fiddle Hell and
Racial Justice.


FIDDLE HELL HISTORY

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For 20 years, the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Festival has been a yearly gathering
of fiddlers, cellists, mandolin/guitar/banjo players, and singers to meet, jam,
learn, listen, and have fun. It's both friendly and diverse, crossing all ages
and including many traditional musical styles. To keep ourselves safe during the
pandemic, we re-imagined Fiddle Hell as an online festival and music camp. We
have enjoyed six Fiddle Hell Onlines, with a seventh planned for April 3-6,
2025. Typically, there are about 10% beginners, 30% low intermediates, 35% high
intermediates, and 25% advanced players, with many workshop and jam session
choices at each level. 

The invention of the late, great fiddler Dale Hopkins from Missouri, "Fiddle
Hell" events have occurred in fun locations worldwide. Prior Fiddle Hells have
been held in the US, the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany. Dale used the term
"Fiddle Hell" to refer to the unique sound of many fiddlers playing a tune
together. While Dale's two Fiddle Hell gatherings involved performances for the
public as well as some informal sharing of tunes and techniques, Dave Reiner
extended the concept to make the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Festival more of a
hands-on festival for all ages, with hundreds of scheduled workshops and jam
sessions led by a wonderful group of experienced and supportive teaching
artists, as well as many amazing concerts. The Fiddle Hell Massachusetts
Festival and Fiddle Hell Online are now run by the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts
LLC.

In 2019, we had 800+ musicians as attendees at the fifteenth Fiddle Hell
Massachusetts, held at the Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center in Westford,
MA. Participants came from as far away as Scotland, Germany, Canada, California,
Alabama, Michigan, Texas and Florida, and from as near as Westford, MA, itself.
They played and learned in many styles - New England, Irish, Scottish, Cape
Breton, Southern Old-TIme, Bluegrass, French Canadian, Jazz, Swing,
Scandinavian, Klezmer, Blues, Electric, World, and more. Many tunes were taught,
along with the stylistic details of the different traditions. In-depth workshops
on techniques covered jamming, learning by ear, backing up singers, music
theory, bowing patterns, improvisation, looping, and much more. Informal hallway
jams in 9 "jam spots" were active through most of the day and night. For
attendees,  instructors, and staff, 2019 was a Fiddle Hell to remember!

In November, 2020, we held our first Fiddle Hell Online, with over 800
attendees. Without physical space limitations, we increased the number of
concerts to 35, along with 35 jams and 170 workshops. While there were no
hallway jams or in-person hugs with musical friends, attendees really
appreciated "front-row" seats for all sessions, and the ability to replay all
sessions (and even slow them down) for the next 4 months. We were excited to
offer many more workshops that provided opportunities to learn about the
contributions and roles of people of color in the origins and evolution of the
instruments, tunes, and styles we play. In April, 2021, we held our second
Fiddle Hell Online, with over 900 attendees. In November, 2021, the third FHO
had over 800 attendees. In April, 2022, the fourth FHO was held, with lots of
new instructors and sessions. In April, 2023, the fifth FHO was held and was fun
for all, followed by the 6th FHO in Aprll, 2024.

We re-started Fiddle Hell in-person in November, 2022, in Westford, MA, and
enjoyed it again in November, 2023. Each time, more than 500 happy musicans
gathered for concerts, workshops, and jams (guided and informal). Many tunes
flew by, and it was great to be together in person. And it's returning November
7-10, 2024!

Our plan is to hold FH online every April, and in person every November. Mark
your calendar:
Fiddle Hell In-Person, Westford, MA, Nov 7-10, 2024
Fiddle Hell Online, April 3-6, 2025
Fiddle Hell In-Person, Westford, MA, Nov 13-16, 2025




COMMON TUNES

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To help with jams, to give players some common repertoire, and to encourage all
to try out new styles, we introduced the "original" set of 52 common tunes in
2010, and added the "new" set of 52 more tunes in 2016. The New 52 were chosen
based on your suggestions from the prior 4 years of FH surveys. Some of these
104 common tunes will be taught in workshops in November, and will likely show
up in jams. These tunes are all listed here. We just call them the "Common Tune
List" or "CTL" these days, without distinguishing which of the two lists tunes
come from.

You can order an instructional 2-CD set of the 52 original Fiddle Hell common
tunes, played both up-to-speed and slowly by the Reiner Family Band. Volume 1 is
only $15 postpaid (within the US) in our online Store. Volume 1 is also
available for download at Amazon.com here.

In 2017, the Reiner Family Band (and several talented friends) recorded a 2-CD
set of the 52 new common tunes, played fast and slow. Volume 2 is also only $15
postpaid (within the US) in our online Store.

Order 52 Tunes CD



MORE INFORMATION

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Fiddle Hell Online and the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Festival are run by the
Fiddle Hell Massachusetts LLC. Our events are loosely sponsored online by
the Fiddle and Alternative Strings Forum and the Fiddle Hangout. At these
websites, you'll find discussions, event listings, and other resources; you can
join for free and read about past and future Fiddle Hell meetings.

Our long-time sponsors, D'Addario and CodaBow, have resumed giveaways at
the in-person Fiddle Hells. You can read more about other sponsors in the
Virtual Exhibits once you're registered.

We're working closely with Maine Fiddle Camp, Ashokan Camps, Northeast Heritage
Music Camp, Creative Strings Workshop, Groton Hill Music Center, Strings Without
Boundaries, Music Camps North, New England Folk Festival (NEFFA), Fiddleheads,
Janie's Jumpstart Camps, Acadia Trad Camp, Boston States Fiddle Camp, Baltimore
Old-Time Jam, Camp Calvin, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RCSDS),
Alasdair Fraser's Camps, Groton Hill Music Center, The Music Emporium, Blue
Ridge Fiddle Camp, the David Surette Mandolin Festival, New Directions Cello
Festival, and Rustic Roots Camp on cross-promotion and best practices for online
teaching. 

Thanks to Jenna Moynihan, frequent Fiddle Hell teaching artist, for the photo!



©2010-2024 Fiddle Hell Massachusetts LLC

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