Nero was reputed to have fiddled while Rome burned (which no one believes anymore), but early fiddlers must have fiddled while more culinary items were on the fire. Else, who would name a tune "Boil the Cabbage Down"? Kids with an itch to lay bow to violin and make some footstompin' music will appreciate this 2-tape guide, taught by teens Luke and Jenny Anne Bulla, and their 7-year-old brother Jed. Viewers will learn the parts of the violin and bow, and the basic mechanics of using the two in conjunction in the first tape, as well as the aforementioned no-doubt popular kitchen tune "Boil the Cabbage Down." The second tape adds some technique pointers and three additional tunes: "Old Joe Clark," "Tennessee Waltz," and "Devil's Dream." The production values are good, though some of the camera angles could have been better, and picture-in-picture coverage of both hands would have helped. Still, this is a good introduction to the world of fiddlin' for kids aged 6-12. Recommended. (R. Pitman)
Fiddle For Kids
(1995) 2 videocassettes. 50/60 min. $24.95 each. $39.95 for the set. Homespun Tapes. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 10, Issue 6
Fiddle For Kids
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