Mark O'Connor Fiddle

[swing42]

Totally agree with you! All great players that I love too. Don't mean to soap box or direct anything negative towards you. Thanks for being civil.

[nerolbor]

@swing42 All good points.....Yes, Johnny Gimble is wonderful! How about the amazing Swing playing of Florin Nicilescu? I bet O'Connor is in awe when he hears this guy. In more straight ahead Jazz, Zbigniew Siefert's playing was just off the chart. And one of the craziest players alive is young Billy Contreras, who seems to channel Coltrane. I have no point here, other than there are so many amazing players that show mastery, in any style, on this most difficult of instruments.

[swing42]

Continued...he is my favorite and I want people to know about him. Just as it is important to you that people know and recognize Mark O'Connor. Mark's legacy, fame, ego, income, and hype are in no danger of vanishing anytime soon. Bottom line, listen to the music you love and don't let anyone (including me!) tell you who the "best" is. Mark is great, but just one of many parts that make up the fiddling tradition.

[swing42]

Continued...saying Mark has no equal is also a blanket statement based on your own feelings toward his music. Everyone has their equal and we are all surpassed at one point or another in our careers. Mark O'Connor has been given a "god" status that no one deserves. He is a fantastic technician, jack of all trades, and has many great acomplishments, but there are and always will be others. As much as I love Johnny Gimble's playing I don't say he is without equal and above all others. He is my fa

[swing42]

Continued...listen to other fiddlers in the swing genre and not believe Mark's hot swing trio is the end all be all of this kind of music. I probably prefer his playing 20 years ago and while I respect his ability, it's just not my cup of tea. I am a professional fiddler and I specialize in this kind of music. I certainly don't have the kind of aconplishments that Mark does, but you don't measure your like or dislike for a person's music based on their aconplishments.

[swing42]

@nerolbor Yes, I have heard all of the recordings and collaborations you mentioned. As I said before this is in my own humble opinion and I certainly don't expect the throngs of Mark O'Connor fans to suddenly change their minds. I totally disagree that Mark smokes either Gimble or Spicher (who didn't even play swing on the album) on the Heroes album. You are perfectly entitled to believe that and enjoy Mark's playing more, as I am entitled to like Gimble's more. I simply encourage people to lis

[nerolbor]

@swing42...Have you heard his Heroes album? After paying homage to them, he pretty much smokes Spicher and Gimble. They are incredible, and will go down as greats in the fiddle world, but Mark O is a different animal. Plus, this was recorded 20 years ago. Have you seen his recent stuff with Marsalis? As a player, he has no equal, plus with all of his compositions and educational efforts, he's a one of a kind monster. What have you done, in your humble opinion?

[vadidb]

Does anybody know what mic is used for Marc's fiddle? I think it sounds very well with him playing quite close, no harshness. I currently use a SM-81.

[swing42]

Nice technique and good intonation. If you want to hear what real swing fiddle sounds like check out Johnny Gimble, Svend Asmussen, Stuff Smith, or Buddy Spicher. The flow of ideas is pretty good on this, but pretty basic language and leaning more towards a bluegrass improvisatory style. Mark is a very good musician but folks should use him as a spring board to the many other great fiddlers out there, especially when it comes to swing music. This is all of course only in my humble opinion.

[SuperGuitarman69]

Mark is a god

[rockyjohnstone]

I just came back to visit this again and was pleasantly surprised to find that my chord inquiry was answered. Very much appreciated! I love this stuff! 

[rockyjohnstone]

This is somewhat of master piece. Can someone post the the guitar chords to this great swing piece? I can't seem to figure out the passing chords.

[dtx1139]

@rockyjohnstone

2 Parts Basically,

G6 C9 G6 D7 G6 G#dim A9  D7 G6

C6 C#dim G6 E7 A7 D7 G6

Lots of other little things you can do with it, but this is pretty much the basic structure.

between the 1st and 2nd parts you can also go from the G6 to the G9 with the B as the root to transition into the C6 in the 2nd part.

Hope this helps

[JimmyDeLocke]

@dtx1139 You forgot the bridge

[paulgrem]

Hot Fiddle!!!

[sinnerboy611]

Mark's the sickest mofo to ever pick up the bow son.

[Liberty4ev63]

You're an idiot!

[sinnerboy611]

@Liberty4ev63 ...rather comment on the video, you'd rather attack me? Yeah, I'm the idiot.

Bottom line is, there is nobody better than Mark - nobody. That was my intended statement.

[Seantk1]

no now he is a master. i wish he would play more guitar

[capitalismforever]

He quit playing guitar because he came close to having carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of playing the guitar.

[Seantk1]

ah I see, thats sad i met Mark twice but just long enough to get my first violin signed by him, I'm grateful that he took the time to check out my violin and he liked my craftsmanship on it and its tone, if it wasnt for mark i would be a double bassist :D lol . he came to my school when i was in strings class and at that point i became a concertmaster violinist the very next year. TY for replying , I still bet he picks around tho, once a guitar player always a guitar player.

[kingbee847]

The tune is "Oh, Lady Be good"

[bruceleeC64]

Mark was a child prodigy, now he's still a prodigy

[allenjs]

Stache central. I would comment on how great the music is, but I'm assuming you're watching this because you already know that. This comment is dedicated solely to giving a little more exposure to the stellar mustache action that graces this clip. Stache on, boys!

[donlon47]

Wow!! That was awesome. I, like everyone else on the planet am amazed at Mark O'Conner. Matt Hartz is also a great musician, I have seen him play guitar and fiddle but this is the first time I have seen him mon the tenor. I saw you (John) at Winfield in 1994, I think were competing on the mandolin because you had won the guitar contest the previous year. In 93 I saw Jason play in weiser in the Open.. Great talent!!!!

[denismsullivan]

Mark O'Connor is a once in a lifetime musician. There's not another human being who can play like he does.

[ejfan1]

dutch dickens is still the best

[MontanaFiddler]

lol

[5041carol]

Excellent

[LNcello]

In one word. Awesome.

[donnyaldridge]

Mark O Connor was the greatest Contest Fiddle Player who ever lived IMO. HIs tone is incredible, technique un matched, intonation perfect. Not to mention his ability to somehow improvise while working around the melody in a way that just flowed like water...

[SJakeupM]

I've played a lot with Matt Hartz, the guitarist moving a lot right next to Mark O'Connor. Matt Hartz is the greatest accompanist around. His rhythmic feel, drive, accuracy, consistency, and the interesting fancy stuff he throws in with it, make him the most remarkable guitarist for fiddling.

[dtx1139]

I agree. I've always liked Matt's rhythm playing.

[clarktunes]

Was he a judge?

[Wisegeorge]

This is the kind of stuff that makes Bluegrass Festivals as close to heaven as anyone can experience on earth. I have been shocked and awed speechless on many past occasions and the memories resonate full force when I watch videos like this. Thanks.

[xms32]

Western Swing, not bluegrass.

[Elgatoviejo]

This is awesome. It's a testimony to Mark's brilliance that he can come up with so many different musical ideas, and never repeating himself. The guy is a genius.

[xms32]

Without question that's Wes playing. Jimmie Don doesn't look remotely close other than having a mustache.

[nickjonaslover000002]

r u sure

[dtx1139]

Wes is playing my '57 D-18 that he asked if he could borrow right before he went on stage.

[nickjonaslover000002]

thats jimmie don and matt hartz backin him

[dtx1139]

actually it's Wes Wesmoreland and Matt backing him