fiddling in England/Ireland

[threefingerjoe]

Ok, Friends, help me out, here,

I live in the USA. I enjoy playing old tyme fiddle. I'm coming to visit Britain/Ireland for 3 weeks in June. I'd like to have a fiddle with me, in case I have a chance to join a jam session at a pub. I DON'T want to deal with the hassle of bringing my fiddle on an aeroplane. Does anyone know of a music store or violin maker who will let me hire a fiddle in the Harrow area? My niece lives there, and that would be a convenient place for me to pick up and return a fiddle if I can hire one.

Also, where would be a good place to take a 1-day bike ride, with rental bikes available? What are the "must see" places? This is my first trip to GB.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Aperitif]

You can come on a Sunday London ride, Joe. I only live about fifteen minutes away from Harrow, and I know Charlie B of this parish is 'familiar' - and lives a short train ride away from the Chilterns, which is easily accessible from Harrow Station - as is any of the Central London area! What size bike? I, or one of the posse can probably lend you. We're all on the fiddle but can't stand the violin over here! Also, I'll check - my niece's partner is a singer in a band and (I think) it's all about that foot stompin', bottle jangling stuff. There used to be a good music venue in Belmont Circle, not far from Harrow, in a pub called The Spanish Arch but I thing it's changed hands now. I have tin ears (which may help when listening to the fiddle ) but I'm sure there are others on here who will heap musical venue/advice on you!

 

[vernon]

You might be more successful if you post your enquiry in a music forum.

Chiff and Fipple is an Irish music based set of forums and it has a stringed instrument forum. There's a useful number of UK members who might be able to point you in the right direction.

You are more likely to stumble across a jam session in a bar in Ireland than here in the UK. Once again placing a query in the forums especially the Uilleann pipe forum (it's the most frequented) of Chiff and Fipple is likely to yield results.

 

[Aperitif]

You can come on a Sunday London ride, Joe. I only live about fifteen minutes away from Harrow, and I know Charlie B of this parish is 'familiar' - and lives a short train ride away from the Chilterns, which is easily accessible from Harrow Station - as is any of the Central London area! What size bike? I, or one of the posse can probably lend you. We're all on the fiddle but can't stand the violin over here! Also, I'll check - my niece's partner is a singer in a band and (I think) it's all about that foot stompin', bottle jangling stuff. There used to be a good music venue in Belmont Circle, not far from Harrow, in a pub called The Spanish Arch but I thing it's changed hands now. I have tin ears (which may help when listening to the fiddle ) but I'm sure there are others on here who will heap musical venue/advice on you!

Vernon is one cove in particular that will be a font of knowledge - after all, he's guilty of wearing a kilt and setting light to his kitchen with ping pong balls, although not necessarily at the same time! (And he has 'wide ranging' culinary experience - pies of ye olde Englande a speciality).

Might as well throw this one in for good measure too, in case you missed it first time around. History in the making, Tower of London style:

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWFq-v7TKdQ[/media]

 

[Keith Oates]

The Yeoman clip was excellent and gave me a good laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kirstie]

Another good forum for traditional music is footstompin.co.uk which is the scots trad music community. Try not to mention the word 'England' too much and you'll be OK!

Also, probably the best folk musical instrument shop that I know of is Hobgoblin music. Google them - they have shops all over the country and may do instrument hire. If not they'll be a ble to point you in the direction of someone who does.

 

[perplexed]

Try looking up the EFDSS (I think it is! ) That's the English Folk Dance and Song Society, who'll have get togethers and events all over the place all year round. My parents were members years ago, and it was a rare day when there wasn't something on somewhere. Usually there'll be a pub in any given area with a "folk night."

Have fun!

 

[threefingerjoe]

Aperitif!

I'm interested in taking you up on the Sunday ride offer! Also, I've e-mailed a place in Harrow called "Herga Music" to inquire about hiring a fiddle for a couple of weeks. Thanks to all for the help!

Joe