Learn to play Red Fox Waltz with Patt & Possum

This set of videos will teach you to play a basic and then a fancier version of Red Fox Waltz. This was one of the first tunes I learned from Taylor McBaine when I started playing. In keeping with that, I've also included a video of Taylor playing this classic waltz.

KDHX Folk School Fiddle Workshop - April 2016 with Patt & Possum

Highlights of a fiddle workshop given by Charlie Walden at the KDHX St. Louis Folk School on April 9, 2016. The taught included Red Fox Waltz, Kentucky Waltz and Valse Gisele. Go get the sheet music for these tunes at http://www.charliewalden.com/Dots.htm.

Bethel Missouri 1989 Main Stage Performances (audio only)

Performances of traditional Midwestern fiddling and other music recorded on the main stage at the 1989 Mid-America Old Time Fiddlers Convention. June 8-11, 1989. At Bethel, Shelby County, Missouri.

Vesta Johnson - Missouri Fiddler

Video clips of veteran Missouri fiddler Vesta Johnson.

Learn to play Fever in the South with Charlie Walden

Charlie Walden teaches this great old hoe-down from Vee Latty, which originated Callaway County in Central Missouri and is likely part of the old repertoire from Black fiddlers in Missouri.

Learn to Play Boys Around The World

In this set of videos I'll show you how to play a classic Missouri Valley fiddle tune from Cyril Stinnett and Dwight Lamb call The Boys Around The World. Key of A in standard tuning. 

1997 Bethel Fiddle Youth Fiddle Camp and Contest

Highlights of the annual Bethel Youth Fiddle Camp held in June each year in Bethel, Shelby County, MO.

Gryphon Strings - Palo Alto Fiddle Workshop 2015 with Patt & Possum

Excerpts from a Missouri-Style fiddle workshop held in Palo Alto, CA, on January 31, 2015, at Gryphon Strings. Tunes incles Norma Lou's Waltz, Lamplighter's Hornpipe, Harrington Valley Two-Step (by Calvin Vollrath), and Casey's Hornpipe. Presented by Charlie Walden - fiddle and Patt Plunkett - piano.

San Diego Fiddle Workshop 2015 with Patt & Possum

Excerpts from a fiddle workshop held in San Diego, CA on January 24, 2015. Charlie Walden - fiddle & Patt Plunkett - piano. Several tunes were chawed on including Bear Creek Hop, Polk County Breakdown and Walking in My Sleep. A demonstration of "fancy" bowing tricks was also provided.

San Francisco Workshop - 2015 with Charlie Walden & Patt Plunkett

Video excerpts from a workshop in San Francisco on January 30, 2015. We ran through four good ol' tunes including: Old Ladies Pickin' Chickens from Dwight Lamb, Pike's Peak, which originated with Sharp, Hinman &Sharp, Shoal Creek Breakdown from Casey Jones and Turkey in the Pea Patch from the repertoire of Buddy Thomas of Kentucky via Bob Holt of Ava in the Missouri Ozarks.

St. Louis Folk School Fiddle Workshop (October 31, 2015)

From a workshop presented at the KDHX St. Louis Folk School on October 31, 2015. With Patt & Possum - Charlie Walden (fiddle) and Patt Plunkett (piano). The workshop focused on tunes that can be attributed to African American fiddle players of the early 20th Century from Callaway and surrounding Central Missouri counties.

Callaway County in Mid-Missouri, in addition to once being a hotbed of Civil War secessionists, is known for its many great old-time fiddlers.  Among these was legendary African-American Bill Katon of Tebbetts, the namesake of Katon’s Hornpipe. While I never knew Katon, as he passed away in 1934, I heard many stories about him and a lot of the old-timers could play his tunes or tunes referenced to other Black musicians in Callaway County. So we’ll explore this tradition with tunes I derived from Jake Hockemeyer, Taylor McBaine and Keith Orchard.

IOTFA Old-Time Fiddle Workshop - 2014

Excerpts from my IOTFA Fiddle Workshop held at Effingham, Illinois, on October 18, 2014.  I teach Tennesse Rag, Country Waltz and Johnny Con't Come Home Drunk.  -- Charlie Walden

St. Louis Folk School Fiddle Workshop September 27, 2014

When I was growing up one of my biggest influences was Pete McMahan of Harrisburg, MO.  Pete was without question the top fiddler of his generation.  He could play more types of tunes, had more technical command of instrument, won more contests and arguably had more DRIVE than anyone else back in those days. I’ll show you some of the tunes and techniques I picked up from Pete and let you in on some great field recordings of Pete that I’ve had squirreled away.

Learn to Play Buck Fever Rag

A piece in C attributed to Ottawa Valley great Reg Hill. Makes nice use of hokum or double-shuffle bowing, which is demonstrated by Charlie in great detail. 

Charlie Walden - fiddle and Patt Plunkett - piano. From a fiddle workshop in San Francisco on December 9, 2015. Get the music at: http://www.charliewalden.com/Dots.htm.

Bethel Youth Fiddle Camp - 1988

Collection of twenty videos from the Bethel Youth Fiddle Camp 1988.  The camp has been going strong for almost 30 years.  Its focus is regional style and repertoire of Missouri and the Midwest.  The camp takes place every June in Bethel, Shleby County, in North Central Missouri.  These videos feature mostly teaching sessions by old-time Missouri fiddlers Vesta Johnson, Taylor McBaine, Bob Walsh, Kelly Jones and Dean Johnston and represent regional Missouri fiddle styles from the Ozarks, Little Dixie and North Missouri. All videos were recorded by folklorist Amy Skillman.

KDHX Folk School Fiddle Workshop (April 19, 2014)

We’ll play some signature tunes from National Heritage Award winners, the late Lyman Enloe.  Lyman was from the south central part of Missouri and learned his craft from another famous old time fiddler, Tony Gilmore of Jefferson City.  Primarily a dance player, in later life he moved to the Kansas City area became known as a Bluegrass fiddler.  His playing was very smooth and melodic.

Nolan Boone - Audrain County Fiddler NEW RECORDING RELEASE!

John P. Williams Monroe County Influences Available As Download - Great Missouri Fiddling!

Videos of John P. Williams Fiddling

Old Square Dance Records

Various old square dance records from my personal collection.

Learn to Play Walking In My Sleep

I learned this version of Walking in My Sleep from Pete McMahan of Harrisburg. MO. Charlie Walden - fiddle & Patt Plunkett - piano. The tune is Walking in My Sleep, which has been credited to Fiddlin' Arthur Smith and was recording in both 78 and modern eras.Still popular, especially as a Bluegrass instrumental. 


Excerpt from a fiddle workshop held in San Diego, CA, January 24, 2015. Charlie Walden - fiddle & Patt Plunkett - piano.