Fiddle music is an integral part of our Canadian heritage. Fiddlejam began in 2001 as an opportunity to learn and share Canadian Fiddle tunes and to play together for fun. We have since learned well over 200 tunes, have played for many annual community events and play a monthly tea-dance at D’Esterre Seniors Center in Comox.

Everyone is welcome and we have musicians of all ages and levels. Although most musicians are fiddlers, we enjoy a great backup contingent of piano, guitar, bass, stand-up bass, mandolin, banjo and accordion.We play a variety of styles and tunes: Canadian Old Time, Celtic, French Canadian, Cape Breton and dance music including Contra,foxtrots, 2-steps, country shuffles, waltzes, jigs, polkas, reels and swing tunes.

Fiddlejam musicians generally play by ear and all tunes are taught by ear. Often musicians will bring a tape recorder to help them remember the new tune.

Fiddlejam works very closely with the British Columbia Old Time Fiddlers, Comox Valley Branch #18. Called the Funtime Fiddlers, this non-profit society works to maintain the longtime tradition of Canadian fiddle music as an important part of our Canadian heritage. Its mandate is also to encourage and support all young fiddle players through bursaries designed to help them with lessons, workshops, camps and contests. Profits from the Contra Dances go towards the bursaries.

The Funtime Fiddlers hold a Contra / Old Time dance at the Merville Hall generally on the third Saturday of the month from September to June (though sometimes the dates are changed due to availability of players, caller and hall). The next Contra Dances are Saturday, March 20th and Saturday, April 17th. For more information on the Funtime Fiddlers just ask.

In the Comox Valley there are two major fiddle events during the year:

Fiddle Fest is a two day festival held on Friday, April 16th and Saturday, April 17th at the Merville Hall, 15 minutes north of Courtenay. On Friday, at 7:00pm, there will be a fiddle concert featuring amazing fiddler Calvin Volrath from Alberta. On Saturday, there is a friendly day of workshops, Open Stage, guest fiddlers and an evening of Contra / Old Time dance with Calvin Volrath and many Friends!

The North Island Festival of the Performing Arts, usually held in February, has a Fiddle component which is an opportunity for fiddlers to perform for adjudication and awards.

Format of Fiddlejam

Tuesday 7:00 pm – 9:00pm

St Georges United Church

505 6th Street, Courtenay

7:00 - 7:50 jam on mainly older tunes.

7:50 – 8:05 - snacks

Approximately every other week a new tune is taught around 8:05 - 8:25.

(At this point the younger players will often head home to bed.)

8:25 – 9:00 Open jam.

There is a $2 drop-in charge for musicians. If you just want to sit and listen at the back or dance to the music, be our guest, there is no charge.

Especially for Newcomers

This fall we have a new program designed for newcomers. This is intended to help those new to FJ decide what tunes to learn first. It will also help those new to “learning by ear” as they will be able to work on this skill in a smaller group. We chose 20 of the “easier” Fiddlejam tunes and Cindy compiled them all in one book with a CD. These books will be for sale from Cindy.

Beginning Tuesday, September 16th, 6:15 – 6:45 and beginning with the first tune in this book, someone will teach the tune. Branch 18 will pay the youth instructor but a drop-in fee of $2 will be required to cover the hall fee. Then, during the first hour of our regular jam we will make sure we play at least 8 of the tunes from this book.

Jam Etiquette

A ring is passed around the room and the person with the ring gets to choose the next tune. They count it in or can ask someone else to do that. Choose a tune that people know. Be tuned in to the players around you and choose something that will include them. (Especially in the first hour when the younger players are there.)

When a tune is being taught it is important to be quiet and play only when the instructor gives the cue to play. Back up players, if accompanying the tune being taught, should play quietly.

Playouts

As Fiddlejam, we are often invited to play at community events. At general playouts everyone is always welcome and if there is remuneration it is divided evenly amongst the players. Sometimes we receive a request for a couple of players and Craig will generally call on the younger players to do these gigs.

Fiddlejam Books

Over the years Cindy has assembled books of sheet music of the tunes that have been taught each year. She has also made CD’s of the tunes. These are available for $6 each. Speak to Cindy at Fiddlejam.

E-Mail

All info goes out via e-mail.

If interested write your e-mail in the green binder.