Darol Anger is a legend of contemporary fiddling. His progressive multidimensional playing has influenced generations of forward-thinking bluegrass, jazz, and rock violinists. He was first person to hold the fiddle chair in the David Grisman Quintet, and he was a founding member of Montreux, Turtle Island String Quartet, the Duo (with Mike Marshall), and his own visionary string group the Republic of Strings. He is also a pioneer of “the chop,” a rhythmic accompaniment style that he and Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Brittany Haas discuss in her Fiddle Styles Workshop segment with Darol. In this video, they demonstrate their backup approaches with a great two-fiddle version of Bill Monroe’s song “My Rose of Old Kentucky.” Darol’s five-string fiddle was made by Nathaniel Rowan in 2010 and is named Hal, after the main character in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The fiddle is a work of art with some unusual decorative touches, including, on the back, a large red eyeball, a black pyramid, and a blue “cloud of unknowing.” darolanger.com

In Peghead Nation’s Fiddle Styles Workshop, Brittany hosts some of the best fiddlers on the planet, as they teach some of their favorite tunes and techniques. To learn from Brittany and her guests, enroll in the Fiddle Styles Workshop today.

Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Scott Nygaard: “Clinch Mountain Backstep” While in the Peghead Nation studio last month Chad Manning, Bill Evans, and Scott Nygaard took a few minutes between shooting videos for their courses to play this Ralph Stanley bluegrass banjo classic. Read More

Patrick McGonigle and Brittany Haas: “Whiskey Before Breakfast” Fiddle duet on the bluegrass jam-session favorite. Read More

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Laurie Lewis and Brittany Haas: “The Bear Song” Twin fiddles on one of the renowned bluegrass songwriter’s most popular songs. Read More

The Peregrines: “Red Skies” Peghead Nation mandolin instructor Joe K. Walsh sings an original song with this all-star touring group. Read More

John Mailander and Brittany Haas: “Road to Columbus” Fiddle duet on Bill Monroe’s classic tune. Read More

Haas Kowert Tice: “El Camino” Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Jordan Tice perform Brittany’s original in the Peghead Nation studio. Read More

Chad Manning: “Road to Columbus” Peghead Nation fiddle instructor plays the Bill Monroe favorite. Read More

Marla Fibish and Dale Russ: “The Killavil Jig/Banish Misfortune” Peghead Nation’s Irish fiddle and mandolin teachers play a medley of Irish jigs. Read More

Scroggins and Rose: “Frayed Knot” Tristan Scroggins and Alisa Rose play an original composition from their recent album of mandolin and fiddle duets. Read More