How do competitions work then?

[Sean Harrison]

They seem like a completely alien concept from here. I can deal with exams and grades where there's some sot of agreed standard (You must know these scales and be able to play them in 2 or 3 octaves.) But how does playing music work as a competitive sport?

I'm not knocking the idea, I'm genuinely baffled though by the idea of turning a collaborative art form into a competition.

[Adam R Sweet]

Do you mean Fiddle Competitions? Well, they are treated at first like auditions. You have to be prepared with a fast tune, a slow tune and something "unique" for example (most competitions have rules posted on their websites). You show up and sign up on the board and then you're picked according to age and number of years played (for example - again it depends on the rules of the competition). Then when it's your turn to play, you get up on stage and do your 3 tunes. There's a panel of judges who judge you on style, performance, entertainment, etc (again look to the rules). The judges usually pick 3 top players and award them first 2nd and 3rd prizes. The top 3 usually get to play a 4th tune or one of their first tunes again on stage. The prizes are usually a ribbon, sometimes a brass statue with your name on it, and sometimes money.

They are a lot of fun, especially for kids and beginners cause it's great to compete against adults (and win!). LOL

[Sean Harrison]

Thanks. They're just not part of what happens in Britain so I was wondering how they worked.

[Adam R Sweet]

Here's a link for one in Idaho: http://www.fiddlecontest.com/

[Miriam Kavana]

...but they do happen though in the UK too Sean :) ! I'm thinking of the All Britain Fleadh for example..... in the UK there are regional stages of qualification for the All Ireland.

[Miriam Kavana]

That's right, they certainly aren't part of the culture. Some might argue that's a good thing too...?!?

[Sean Harrison]

I stand corrected then. I just hadn't come across them. Not sure what that says about the musical circles I move in.

[TimK]

Fiddle contests are great fun! They are a good way to meet new fiddlers & hear new tunes. The comradory is always special and some great jams develope. For me, prepairing for a contest is a good way to focus my practice sessions and advance my skills. I participate in about six contests each year and usually have a grand time. Winning or placing is nice but not the main point for me. It is all about the music & friendship.

[Miriam Kavana]

That sounds like good fun Tim! Great if competitions can be like that as well.

[Adam R Sweet]

I haven't played a Joe Val contest in a while. The last one I did was in the 1980s. Lots of fun. I wonder if they're still happening.

My bluegrass band, Maple Ridge, used to compete in contests. We did the Boston Bluegrass Union contests every year, and the Winterhawk (now Grey Fox) band contests.

Hearing you Brits talk about it makes me sad that you don't have contests across the pond. As TimK said they are a lot of fun and a great way to meet new people and learn new tunes

[National Oldtime Fiddlers', Inc]

For a complete overview of how the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest is set up, open up the contestants package pdf at http://www.fiddlecontest.com. In addition to the official "contest" some of the finest musicians on the planet ( we had two competitors from Japan in 2008) jam in the campgrounds until the early morning hours, playing every style imaginable.There is even an unofficial "Little Fiddle Nationals" competition in the campground where some of the worlds best fight it out on 1/16 violins with cellos serving as the "bass".