I just spent three weeks this summer exploring Quebec, Newfoundland, and two of the Maritimes (New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) in eastern Canada, and listened to some kickass fiddlers and traditional musicians. It gave me an opportunity to learn a bit more about regional fiddling in eastern Canada. As always, there’s a playlist to go with this column, found on Spotify.
Here are some brief descriptions of some styles found in eastern Canada, culled from a number of sources.
Down East
Down East fiddling originated in the Maritime provinces. It’s one of eastern Canada’s distinctive fiddle styles. The style is associated with fiddler Don Messer and the provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
It arrived with the first British settlers in the 18th century. It became nationally prominent thanks to early radio. In 1939, New Brunswick native Don Messer started a radio show that became popular across Canada. The style developed by Messer and others came to be known as “Down East”, a nickname for the Maritimes. It features waltzes, jigs, polkas and reels, and its focus on simple playing and dance tunes.
The Frank Leahy Ensemble recorded “Don Messer’s Violin,” in 2008—a tribute album of 17 songs. In 1997, Frank Leahy was chosen by the Messer estate to inherit Don Messer’s violin. Leahy also created a full-length stage production Don Messer’s Violin that premiered on Prince Edward Island in 2000 and ran for five years.
For you bluegrass fiddlers, there’s a fiddle demonstration on YouTube on how to play “St. Anne’s Reel” “Don Messer Style.”
Newfoundland
Newfoundland is its own kind of place, and the music is everywhere. On a boat to look at whales and puffins, I discovered that our tour leader was none other than Con O’Brien of the Irish Descendants. While their music reflects its Irish roots, it definitely has some Newfoundland feel. We were lucky that he regaled us with a couple of tunes as we sailed past an iceberg, minke and humpback whales, and saw tens of thousands of puffins (this is not an exaggeration). Have a look at a compilation video at YouTube. I will say I heard “Rattlin’ Bog” more than once on this trip, but it never fails to amuse and amaze me.
“Kitchen parties” are a staple of the Newfoundland music scene. The main instruments at a kitchen party are the accordion and fiddle. This tradition of household music continues to thrive and remains an important part of Newfoundlander cultural heritage. On Saturday nights across the province, jam sessions form not just in kitchens, but nearly every room in the house. Here’s a Youtube from Fogo Island, Newfoundland, sometime in the 1990s (it features accordion rather than fiddle, though).
Cape Breton
Cape Breton fiddling has a strong relationship to Celtic fiddling. Cape Breton Island’s fiddle music was brought to North America by Scottish immigrants. Some of the notable composers are Neil Gow and James Scott Skinner.
This style of fiddling is heavily accented, driven by up-bows. The downbeat is driven by the fiddler’s heel on the floor. The pattern tends to be heel-and-toe on reels, but just the heel on strathspeys (essentially, slow reels). Fiddle ornamentations are adapted from those played on the bagpipe, and make this style distinctive.
Buddy MacMaster was indeed the master of Cape Breton fiddling, having founded the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association. You can see a tribute to him on YouTube with thirty Cape Breton fiddlers playing a Strathspey Reel.
Watch Natalie MacMaster (Buddy MacMaster’s niece) and Thomas Dolby play “Blue is a River,” an example of Cape Breton fiddling on Ted Talks. It’s a bit more of a modern interpretation with some synthesizer thrown in, and there’s some dancing, too.
Like Newfoundland, Cape Breton has kitchen parties, too. Here’s a great video of a kitchen party from Chéticamp with some awesome fiddling.
Québec Fiddle
One of the early Québecois fiddlers was Isidore Soucy (1899-1963). He was a one of the first fiddle recording stars in Québec. Quebec fiddle is a part of the Old Time fiddle tradition. Solo play was more common in the frontier land where it was easier to carry and travel with a small fiddle. Clogging was often the only available accompaniment, and, like the Native Métis fiddle style, percussive and rhythmic playing is prevalent in this style.
Métis fiddle
I’m sad that I didn’t get to see an example of Metis fiddling, as I’ve been interested in it for a long time. (My next bucket list item!) The Métis are a blend of Native, French, Anglo, and Celtic backgrounds, among others. Fiddles were introduced by Scottish and French-Canadian fur traders in the early 1800s. The Métis fiddle tradition is an aural one, and tunes are known for being crooked.
Fiddlers choke up on the bow. Métis fiddlers often accompany themselves by the use of their feet. This is also very common in the Quebec style of playing. Some players, such as Sierra Noble, also play fiddle in a more modern or blended Métis style which incorporates Celtic, country, and other influences. Here is Sierra Noble at a folk festival.
The best example of Métis music from French and Native sources is the tune “Red River Jig.” (Sierra Noble again.) This jig is like a theme song for traditional Métis music. Most local fiddlers have a version of it that they play, typically for dances.
Métis fiddling, like other Canadian fiddle styles, was created for dances. These dances range from square dances to choreographed dance and, of course, Métis jigging, a specific style of stepdancing. The Métis jig is a simpler style than the fast paced stepdancing of groups like Riverdance. The film Medicine Fiddle (here’s a trailer) provides a look at Métis dance. You can see a good demo of the history of Métis jigs.
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So that’s my very brief take on some fiddle styles Down East and beyond. There’s so much more to discover.
This one’s a a bit long, but here’s are the tunes and songs you’ll find on the Spotify playlist linked above.
• Buddy MacMaster – Christy Campbell Strathspey / Bridge of Bamore / Marquis of Tullybardine / Margaree Reel – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Farewell to the Glen / Mr. Dow / Mrs. Dow – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Happy-Go-Lucky Clog / Saratoga Hornpipe / Irish-American Reel – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Highlanders Farewell to Ireland / Willie MacKenzie’s / The Burning House – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Hughie and Janet’s March / Warlocks / Tarbolton Lodge / Alistair Hunter – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Little John’s Hame / The Forth Bridge Strathspey / The Forth Bridge Reel / Scourdiness / Miss Baigrie Reel – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Margaret’s Waltz / The Rosewood Jig / Judique Jig – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Miller of Drone / The Yetts of Muckart / Lochiel’s Rant / Pigeon On The Gate – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Nicole Fakoory / Gabriel’s / Boston Life / Moll in the Wad / Spin ‘n Glow – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Silverwells / The Lass O’Corrie Mill / The Duchess of Buccleuch / The Highlands of Banffshire / Carnie’s Canter – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Sir Wilfred Laurier’s Jig / Gordon’s Trip to Sydney / Kohler’s Jig / Miss Sophia Campbell – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – Springwell’s / Buddy’s Detour / Francis Xavier Kennedy / Kathleen’s Favourite Jig – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – The Bell Piano Strathspey / Snowplough Reel / Miss Smyth of Methven / The King’s Reel / Miss Lyall / Sandy Cameron / Miss MacLeod’s Reel – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – The Grey Seal’s Lament for Its Pup / Miss Ann Moir’s Birthday / The Duke of Gordon’s Birthday / London Lasses / West Mabou – Medley
• Buddy MacMaster – The Real Thing / Upper Denton Hornpipe / Catching Rabbits – Medley
• Dallas Boyer – Big John Mcneil
• Dallas Boyer – Blue Mountain Horn
• Dallas Boyer – Drops of Brandy
• Dallas Boyer – Duck Dance
• Dallas Boyer – Liberty Two Step
• Dallas Boyer – Rag Time Annie
• Dallas Boyer – Red River Jig
• Dallas Boyer – Red Wing Medley
• Dallas Boyer – Reginald’s Waltz
• Dallas Boyer – Seven Step
• Dallas Boyer – St. Anne’s Reel
• Dallas Boyer – Tear Drop Waltz
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Barndance Medley
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Barndance Reprise
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Blue Mountain Rag
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Downhome Rag
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Hushabye Waltz
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Kerry Mills Barndance
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Messer’s Licks
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – My Lady Lisa
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Redwing
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Rippling Water Jig
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Road to The Isles
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Royal Princess Two-Step
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – Smile The While
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – The Devil’s Dream
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – The French Reel Waltz
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – The Girl I Left Behind Me
• Frank Leahy Ensemble – White RIver Stomp
• Grey Larsen & André Marchand – Acadian Mouth Music (Reel à bouche acadien)/Horses, Geese, and
• Hurlevent – Hommage à Joseph Allard
• Isidore Soucy – Gigue à Ti-Ness
• Isidore Soucy – La bastringue
• Isidore Soucy – La grondeuse
• Isidore Soucy – Les quatre coins de St-Malo
• Isidore Soucy – Money musk reel
• Isidore Soucy – Reel à Ti-Zoune
• Isidore Soucy – Reel de Fernando
• Isidore Soucy – Reel de Sorel
• Isidore Soucy – Reel de St-Anne
• Isidore Soucy – Reel des noces d’argent
• Isidore Soucy – Reel du chapeau de paille
• Isidore Soucy – Reel du chien chaud
• Isidore Soucy – Reel du coq d’or
• Isidore Soucy – Reel du highway
• Isidore Soucy – Reel du moulin rouge
• Isidore Soucy – Set callé canadien 1ère partie
• Isidore Soucy – Set callé canadien 2e partie
• Isidore Soucy – Set callé canadien 3e partie
• Isidore Soucy – Set callé canadien 4e partie
• Isidore Soucy – Valse des ancêtres
• James Scott Skinner – Arthur’s Seat / Eugene Stratton / The Banks
• James Scott Skinner – Athole Highlanders’ Farewell to Loch Katrine / Cameron Highlanders / The Inverness Gathering
• James Scott Skinner – Bohemian Melodies
• James Scott Skinner – Bonnie Lass O’ Bon Accord / Marquis of Huntley’s Farewell / The Ten Pound Fiddle
• James Scott Skinner – Cradle Song / The Braes of Auchtertyre / The Athole Highlanders’ Farewell to Loch Katrine
• James Scott Skinner – Glengrant / Tulchan Lodge / The Parrot – Humorous Pizzicato
• James Scott Skinner – Goodbye Gramin / Johnny Steele / James Hardie
• James Scott Skinner – Home Sweet Home / The Iron Man Strathspey / The Bungalow Reel
• James Scott Skinner – Laird O’Thrums / Gavin M’Millan / Laird O’ Drumblair / Gladstone’s Reel
• James Scott Skinner – Luciana Polka
• James Scott Skinner – Maggie Cameron / Athole Brose / The Devil In The Kitchen / Forbes Morrison
• James Scott Skinner – Mrs Scott Skinner / Mackenzie Hay / The Devil’s Elbow
• James Scott Skinner – Sandy Cameron / Miller O’ Hirn / The Glenlivet
• James Scott Skinner – Sean Trews / Whistle O’er the Lave O’t / Wha Widna Fecht For Charlie?
• James Scott Skinner – The Auld Wheel / Spinning Wheel / Bride’s Reel / Mackenzie Frazer / Fairy Dance
• James Scott Skinner – The Freebooter (Is Your War Pipe Asleep) / MacPherson’s Rant / Tullochgorum & Variations / The East Neuk of Fife & Variations
• James Scott Skinner – The Freebooter / Tullochgorum / The East Neuk O’ Fife
• James Scott Skinner – The Laird O’ Drumblair / The Baker Reel / Will Ye No Come Back Again?
• James Scott Skinner – The Miller O’Hirm / Mackenzie Fraser / The Auld Wheel
• James Scott Skinner – The President – Air and Variations
• James Scott Skinner – The President – Air and Variations (No Processing)
• James Scott Skinner – Triumph / Timour The Tartar / The Left Handed Fiddler / Speed The Plough / De’il Among The Tailors
• Jean Carignan – Bank
• Jean Carignan – Blacksmiths’ Reel (Reel du forgeron)
• Jean Carignan – Bonny Kate
• Jean Carignan – Carpenters’ Reel (Reel de l’ouvrier)
• Jean Carignan – Fisher’s hornpipe
• Jean Carignan – Indian reel
• Jean Carignan – La ronfleuse Gobeil
• Jean Carignan – Le poteau blanc
• Jean Carignan – Medley and Haste to the wedding
• Jean Carignan – Medley and Lord MacDonald’s reel
• Jean Carignan – Medley, G. Scott Skinner
• Jean Carignan – Michael Coleman medley
• Jean Carignan – Pidgeon in the gate
• Jean Carignan – Reel du pendu
• Jean Carignan – The Connaught man’s rambles
• Jean Carignan – Travelers’ Reel (Reel du voyageur)
• Jean Carignan – Winnipeg reel
• John Arcand – Heather’s Waltz
• John Arcand – Heel Toe Polka
• Jos Bouchard – Joyeuse québécoise
• Jos Bouchard – La galope de la Malbaie
• Jos Bouchard – La galope lac St-Charles
• Jos Bouchard – Le reel carnaval
• Jos Bouchard – Le reel des Éboulements
• Jos Bouchard – Le reel du diable
• Jos Bouchard – Le reel la terreur
• Jos Bouchard – Le reel Pointe Au Pic
• Jos Bouchard – Le reel St-Antoine
• Jos Bouchard – Le reel St-Siméon
• Natalie MacMaster – Iona House (Buddy Solo)
• Natalie MacMaster – Primrose Lasses
• Natalie MacMaster – Scoudiness
• Natalie MacMaster – The Bonnie Lass of Headlake
• Natalie MacMaster – The Dougall Creature
• Natalie MacMaster – The King George Medley
• Natalie MacMaster – The Leg of The Duck
• Natalie MacMaster – The Little Pickle
• Natalie MacMaster – The Red Shoes
• Natalie MacMaster – The Stage
• Natalie MacMaster – The Ten Pound Fiddle (Natalie Solo)
• Natalie MacMaster – The Warlock
• Natalie MacMaster – Wilfred’s Fiddle
• Niel Gow – Niel Gow’s Lament for the Death of His Second Wife (arr. B. Eike for chamber ensemble)
• Olivier Brousseau – Les buveurs voyageurs
• Poitin – Ballad of Louis Riel
• Poitin – Banks of Red River
• Poitin – Boatsmen/Firemen’s Reel
• Poitin – Bridle on the Mare
• Poitin – Butcher Boy
• Poitin – Cedar Grove
• Poitin – Fred and Joan’s Waltz
• Poitin – Lavelle’s
• Poitin – Louis Riel/Free Gardeners
• Poitin – My Darling Dear
• Poitin – Pembina Trail
• Poitin – Red River Jig
• Poitin – Road to Batoche
• Poitin – Simone’s Reel
• Poitin – Sliabh Luachra Polkas
• Poitin – The White 99/Buffalo Gals
• Sierra Noble – Red River Jig
