How to Play Bluegrass Fiddle with the Double Shuffle

The double shuffle is a popular bluegrass fiddle bowing technique. Getting all the notes in isn’t a problem, but you’ll need to practice to find the timing that makes the shuffle fit naturally into a fiddle tune.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Violin/fiddle
• bow

1. Listen to a recording of "Back Up and Push," or "Orange Blossom Special" to get a feel for the timing of the double shuffle. These are the most popular fiddle tunes known for this bowing technique.

2. Count out sixteen notes to a measure in groups of three like this; 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1.

3. To add the syncapated feel to the double shuffle as heard in "Back Up and Push" and "Orange Blossom Special", play two notes on the first string, one on the second, two on the first again, and so on.

4. The switch to the second string is on the 3 as you're counting 1, 2, 3,.

5. It's fun to play with double stops, or on two strings at once. Try shifting from the D and A strings to the A and E strings.

6. Be sure to start off slow when practicing tunes with the double shuffle. You can speed up once you're sure your timeing is smooth and accurate.

Tips & Warnings

• Listening to recordings of fiddle tunes using the double shuffle can help fiddlers understand where this technique fits into their own playing.