If you're gonna play in Texas (fiddle lesson)

If you're gonna play in Texas (you gotta have a fiddle in the band!) is a rocking country song by the band Alabama. In this fiddle lesson I go step by step through each section of the song, with different alternatives for fiddle backup, with double notes, shuffles and chops. I look at the original fiddle solos, and suggest that an improvised solo might be a better option. I use on screen sheet music throughout, and a free pdf is available if you subscribe. There are plenty more videos on country songs and country fiddle technique elsewhere on The Fiddle Channel.

Below are details of further fiddle resources from Chris Haigh

1. Patreon
2. Books
3. Subscription video courses
4. Website
5. Email to request pdf’s.

1. PATREON
This is a platform where anyone can directly help to support creative artists and get closer access to their work. You can join me on Patreon at three levels, for £4, £10 or £40 per month.


At the lowest level you get access to all my pdf’s and tune collections, plus many exclusive tuition videos not available to the public.
At level 2 you can join also me once a month for a group Zoom chat, and can request three backing tracks each month.
Level 3 gives you all the above plus a free lesson once a month, and access to all my backing tracks.

You can find me on Patreon at

2. BOOKS
I have eight fiddle tuition books published by Schott, all widely available from the publisher, from Amazon, and many other outlets. All come with audio tracks illustrating the tunes and exercises.


Exploring Jazz Violin
Beginning Jazz Violin
Discovering Rock Violin
Exploring Folk Fiddle
Exploring Klezmer Fiddle
Hungarian Fiddle Tunes
French Fiddle Tunes

Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle


You can order from

3. VIDEO SUBSCRIPTION COURSES
I have three video subscription courses
-

MUSIC GURUS- Exploring Jazz Violin. Based on my Schott book
Parts 1 and 2 are each £26 for 26 lessons, covering the first and second halves of the book



MUSIC GURUS Discovering Rock Violin. . Based on my Schott book
£35 for 46 lessons

MUSIC GURUS Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle. Based on my Schott book. 31 lessons for £31.99

ACADEMY OF FOLK
Includes a folk fiddle primer course, with introductions to basic techniques and concepts plus an Irish Fiddle Course and Scottish fiddle course. A monthly sub of $9.99 gives access to all lessons

4. WEBSITE
My website is probably the most extensive and detailed summary of fiddle styles on the web, as evidenced by the range of top hits on Google for many fiddle styles.
__________________________________________________________
TO REQUEST PDF’S, or ask any questions, CONTACT ME AT

[Redeyefiddler]

“If you’re gonna play a fiddle, gotta have a Texan in the band”. If you can. Thanks again.

[ssgiddyup]

Thank you! I so much agree with not learning parts note for note. Learn the feel and the style. When you said there's one good lick, I anticipated which one... Bingo! It's a fun song. Thanks for the lesson.

[robertclift]

Chris….great fiddle parts for this song! Well done. Jeff was their lead guitarist but also contributed on fiddle and sang some.

[geeee]

Jeff Cook died Nov. 11, 2022 from Parkinsons. He was 73. RIP, Jeff.

[aranos]

Every decent band anywhere in the world must have a fiddle in it. Or two!👍

[richardaxtell]

Would u please make a lesson for chicken fried by Zac brown band? My girlfriend is hassling me to learn it but I can't find any tutorials.

[dennisadams]

Dixieland Delight ? Please. Love your Channel.

[geeee]

I agree it's better to play something of your own but I do appreciate the transcription - it's useful for licks and the general outline of what Jeff played. Tell me, how are you able to transcribe something like this that has so many notes?

[JoeKingBand]

Have you done, or will you do Heart Over Mind (Mel Tillis, Ray Price)?

[tristanpisacane]

Where can I get the sheet music from the video?

[coreykirschnik]

Chris thanks I’ve been working in this one and like usual, you make it easier!!! I do agree that what you made up for the solo sounds better!! Do you have that part written out??

[YankeeFiddler]

Hearing the origin story helps make sense but I still think this is a silly title and sillier song, since the fiddle doesn't come in til so late