Natalie MacMaster: Playing the Cape Breton fiddle

[TheSharpieGod]

amazing bowing technique, but why does she hold the bow so high? doesn't that make it harder to control?

[folkflutist]

What is the tune the Donnell plays plays at the beginning? I know I've played it before, but I don't remember what it's called.

[drummin65turbo]

@folkflutist "The banks"

[IMSwimmer19]

Isn't the last tune Fingal's Cave? Natalie played it in Fire in the Kitchen with the Chieftains!

[WilliamCerf]

OMG!!! What a wonderful set. I just can't get over how beautiful this really is. Thank you TEDX.

[senatorkaty]

Natalie MacMaster is just the best

[holyhell111]

awww such a nice sound i like the fiddle

[jehovahuponyou]

A CAPE BUFFALO IS HARDER TO PLAY, BUT HAS A SWEETER TONE!

[mentalistfan01]

Love the pizzacato scales at the end the most :)

[mikemomajr]

i play the violin 4 years experiance still learning privately

[middleC17]

My dad and stepmom are serious fans and now I know why!

[smgregerson]

Love them! Preformed on stage with her when I was younger (Step Dancing) and Im still proud of that accomplishment.

They are both truely amazing and proud to have come from Cape Breton :) !

[spookth]

18 minutes and 47 seconds of pure beauty...Natalie ( Buddys neice) and Donnell are as close as it comes to perfection!!!!

[cowpoke1000]

Npova Scotia my arse!! That's a cape Breton girl!! Ceap Breatonn gu Bragh!!

[cowpoke1000]

Npova Scotia my arse!! That's a cape Breton girl!! Cheap Breatonn gu Bragh!!

[Moray1949]

He's good and she knows it LOLOL. Hi Nat

[keyofdminor]

A Maritimer living in St Louis, I saw Natalie at a show that was just fabulous. She played wonderfully and had the class to have local dancers from the area. I was proud to be from the same area. I can only imagine how Capers feel.

[MusicallyMac]

Cape Breton is soo proud to call you one of our own. <3

[c00per69]

12:27 He keeps the beat by her feet.

[spoon149]

what mode is this in, anybody know?

[jasonbridges1985]

Simply amazing. The music brings out so many emotions. Thank You for sharing.

[klrietmann]

The air Donnell plays before the Banks hornpipe is called the Dean Brig o' Edinburgh. Dunno what the last hornpipe is, but there aren't that many of them in the key of E flat. Maybe he wrote it, though.

[fritz8498]

anyone know the name of these song?

[godzilloid]

wonderful. what is it the other people don't like about this???

[VAPERSnCAPERS]

Its like she has all four generations in one hand. amazing

[mgSheppard]

I am positive this question has been asked before, but I could not find it when I searched the archive of comments on this video. What tune is Donnell playing from 3:49 to 7:55?  I love it. Also, is there a recording of him playing it?

[procarpenter1788]

@mgSheppard I believe it's called The Banks Hornpipe, or simply, "The Banks."

[pealovesq]

She is astounding.

That sound...so pure and perfect...it builds and builds till you can no longer stay seated!

Pure rapture.

[pealovesq]

she is astounding.

[FiddlinMikeRolland]

Kiiiiiinda good. Just puttin it out there...

[QueerlyK]

I like the Marcel Duchamp replica in the background :D

[jingram97]

shes my best friends cousin....just sayin

[CarolynsChannel]

@jjodonne2 Thanks!

[dwaynedibbly]

whats with the guys fiddle hold? I've actually seen a local fiddler busking holding it like this...is this a common alternate hold? like hitched over to the side the the chinrest is unused

[Bazza4207]

Brilliant. That plucking thing he does near the end is well cool.

[smartguy301]

LONG LIVE NOVA SCOTIA!

[CarolynsChannel]

What is the name of the song they start at the 12:09 mark? I've always loved that song!

[Bazza4207]

@CarolynsChannel I think they finish with "Devil's Dream".

[jjodonne2]

@CarolynsChannel It's called "The Tarbolton" I heard the tune in Donegal many years ago

[CarolynsChannel]

What is the name of the song they start at the 9:32 mark? I've always loved that song!

[Bazza4207]

@CarolynsChannel I think that's "Mason's Apron"

[hck112]

Wonderful!

[amrosik]

whx does her violin always get out of tune?

[jasomeeko]

@amrosik Her fiddle isnt out of tune she is fine tuninig for the tune she is playing .

[amrosik]

@jasomeeko ok thank you.

[Culexable]

One of the things I love most about seeing this kind of music preformed is the lack of sheet music.

[melissa199918]

omg my mum wants me too start that but ehhhh dont think i could do that haha

[ironwolf16alpha]

i agree with chrissept21 with natalie wigglin her butt totaly hot an omg i swear i saw smoke comin from them strings an bow

[chrissept21]

i love Natalie MacMaster "if ever i were to marry someone it would of been her......it would of been her" lol

[chrissept21]

i like the way she wiggles her bum as she plays...........lol just sayin........oh god the songs speeding up i gotta stop commenting and start watching lololol

[garycamera]

Just incredible. Saw her in Carbodale, Illinois. Absolutely blew us away that night.

[lgcrooks]

Big John McNeil!! My absolutely favourite fiddle tune!

[doxiecrazee]

.....and men too! 

[RobertWeekes]

That guy is the Van Halen of the fiddle!

[psychicbyinternet]

The woman you made a wet T shirt comment about is probably one of the best fiddlers in the world.

[dkd24]

I love what they bring out in each other.

They act so humble and new at this even when they are true artistic geniuses!

[cheerrios19]

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, it says in the title hahaha that's the accent

[jessiecameron1]

amazing!

does anyone know what their accents are?

[shawnyboie]

@jessiecameron1

natalies is cape breton accent just like the rest of us capers

[RowanGolightly]

They're both brilliant! Where is the need to compare the two of them; they're both wonderful. It lifts my soul to hear the fiddlin', it really does. And they're obviously having a blast doing it.

[RowanGolightly]

They're both brilliant! Where is the need to compare the two of them; they're both wonderful. It lifts my soul to hear the fiddlin', it really does.

[DeepAbsentia]

That's my conception of a woman in a wet t-shirt. What an angel

[c00per69]

Loving catholic family would love to see you and buddy play. Please send us a email and me and my family will be there. Peace be With You

[lolzmanofdoom2]

LOL "Great news, there late 10 minutes!" I bet they did that just to let them play more cus their AWSOME! keep on fiddlin'!

[baileymae11]

My mouth is on the floor! Both are awesome!!!

[JKS2macd]

she has the cool fiddle feel while he is more on the classical- romantic style

[shawnyboie]

natalie is awesome but i think the guy ruins it ....... come on it's our culture

[c00per69]

1: 23 Go Go Buddy

[padawansound]

the raspy bow work is just genius....hang on for the pull off`s near the end ...the fiddle can be one funky ass instrument...inspired!

[Benj888]

She's sounds better and sweeter than the male fiddler.

[mailmanforyou]

she is beautiful

[Highlander031]

Just as lovely as can be. I first saw her when she was 12 yrs old in Sydney. Another Cape Breton treasure.

[chantalboulanger]

A souless troll ;-) ? he's a great fiddler, but also a great man - willing to share his gift

[Remix350]

My uncle taught her how to play :)

[straightouttabmt]

stunning!

[lgcrooks]

Awesome - Big John McNeil!!

[Malcmcm]

her husband is a souless troll.

[SemajSattler]

He holds the fiddle in a very interesting way

[c00per69]

The guy should keep his music slow and let the Gal keep the fast

jmo

[TruthSurge]

The dude's maj 3rd in the low note is flat most of the time. The girl's first tune was great.

[c00per69]

My god her right hand moves free.

[mrsfiddlegirl]

I have had the pleasure of seeing Natalie M many times, but I had NO idea what a great Cape Breton pianist she is! She has been fiddling, and singing and dancing when I got to see her.. WOW I am SO impressed! The last few minutes of this video are absolutely breathtaking!

[kalarr1389]

her feet are so pretty... *dazed look*

[kalarr1389]

10 people thought they would feel better about themselves if they disliked this :P

[nashstruck]

07:42.. that's just noise to me =S

[TruthSurge]

@nashstruck he's a bit out of tune is why.

[thewelford]

And mic.

[kryptonickraze]

All other women just got a lot more boring after watching this lol

[piehole23]

@kryptonickraze

What has great fiddle playing got to do with whether other women are boring. Try enjoying music like this using the brain in your head not the one between your legs.

[kryptonickraze]

@piehole23 It has everything thing to do with whether other women are boring. Natalie can play a badass fiddle that probably cant be matched by any other women, therefore making every other women just a little more boring. It's that simple. Try thinking before you comment next time.

[piehole23]

@kryptonickraze

I find that it doesn't require much thinking to make a sexist comment - the original said nothing about women fiddlers but just women as if femininity rather than dexterity on the fiddle was what mattered. Indeed, if you were thinking about great female fiddlers instead of just how they looked there are many fine candidates including Liz Carroll, Eileen Ivers, the String Sisters and, indeed, Allison Krauss. Lots to think about if fiddling is what's really on your mind.

[kryptonickraze]

@piehole23 Oh please, spare me your feminist bullshit, you guys blow everything way out of proportion. My comment wasn't sexist in any way, shape or form.. where did I comment on her looks? I really don't know why I bother, I find the ignorance in feminists intolerable - they want to believe women are victims as much as Christians want to believe there's a God.

[piehole23]

@kryptonickraze

Is that how Donnell makes you react? Interesting.

[kryptonickraze]

@piehole23 By the way Alison Krauss is brilliant, thanks for recommending her.

[nicosoup]

@kryptonickraze Natalie rocks the island... she smokes crack but hey... whatever floats ur boat haha

[TheSvartHelvete]

amazing fiddle playing and its nice to hear Macmaster uncluttered by other instruments like on her albums.

[TheShamroqDude]

WOW! and not only WOW!, Double Wow...WOW WOW!!!

[MrWanabeu]

ABSOLUTLY AMAZING!

[wwnixon]

tha mi gu mhath

[bfgh96]

@wwnixon What you on about? that doesn't fit with the conversation! haha do you not mean mar sin leibh !??

[bfgh96]

@wwnixon Don't you mean "is math sin!" ??

[misbeahave]

thanks gidgetsdigitalgadget I realy loved this will keep it in my favs from now on sent to family also so they can enjoy , my dad played the fiddle I accompanied him on guitar its in our blood I guess

[TheFlange64]

Makes Me proud to be a Bluenoser.. ( from Nova Scotia ) I love her music, .... I can travel the world and it reminds me of home.......

[laurieheartsdcx]

Love the King George Medley between them at the end. I have Natalie's version of that on CD.

[sinebar]

I don't think I'd play on the same stage that Al Gore was on.

[Smaku69times]

Thank you baby Jesus for U Tube

[misbeahave]

She can make it sound soulful or like a jumping Jack

[gidgetsdigitalgadget]

@misbeahave , great. Also check out : Atlantic Bridge Green Man Concert". It's a duo in a little Irish pub in France.

[thatkidnameddoug]

i worked two of her concerts back stage a couple months ago. amazing.

[walkerman2503]

Natalie is a cousin, through her maternal Grandmother. The Gillis's were a and are Grand Fiddlers.Sousa Gu Math

[fiddlingurl]

What are the songs Natalie plays at the beginning?

[koolkat104]

Gotta love Cape Breton!! Fantastic music~

[killiekentman]

loved this, gets the feet tapping . thanks for sharing

[fiddlingurl]

She has such skinny long fingers. Lol.

[iraqidolphin]

I'm going to see her next weekend. Can't wait..

[GirlyVoice]

I keep being surprised by their American accents!

[iraqidolphin]

American ??

[GirlyVoice]

@iraqidolphin Sorry didn't realise. The accents are indistinguishable to me.

[iraqidolphin]

@GirlyVoice It's a Canadian east coast accent. Cape Breton for her. Donell is from Ontario.

[mhopp10]

Totally saw her in concert and it blew my mind!!! I've never seen anyone so genuinely talented. Seriously. Watching her play and dance (at the same time) was amazing!!!

[lgcrooks]

Ah. Big John McNeil!

[dkd24]

You know what I absolutely love about this...if you didn't know who she was you would think that she is new to this - not playing - but performing.

What I mean by that is - watch the beginning and the end, she acts so "like ok I'm going to try and do this". Her actions are still so humble after all her years of performing and success. A very admirable trait.

[lgcrooks]

This is great. But, it seems like it is harder work for Natalie to play the piano than the fiddle! Look at the intensity of her trying to hit the right chords! Priceless.

[dkd24]

What?

No way. She knows exactly what she's doing.

In the middle there is a technique where you play block chords on a beat. It's meant to be spaced out - if that's the part you are talking about.

[ytfarmer90]

just fucking awesome.

[Bufalocarlos]

She is so sweet....and wonderfull fiddle player!..

[aranmexican]

Superb. The last tune in Natalie's first set is known, in Ireland, as "The Fairy Reel". It is said - if I recall correctly - that Mickey Doherty got it from the fairies... but my memory of the music-filled night on which I heard that bit of tune folklore is a little fuzzy. In their last set together, the first tune (only once through) is Cape Breton and the second tune is a version of "The Mason's Apron", which probably occurs in Scotland as well as Canada and Ireland.

[Masterphan]

Your knowledge of folk music is quite impressive and inspiring. I just recently discovered my love for folk music a few years ago and I only wish that I knew of more.

[loveirishmusic]

wow

[djarankin]

I have a hard time believing Donnell is playing any Cape Breton tunes at all in that first set, and poor Natalie trying to stepdance at that tempo!

[sgtcrab1]

@djarankin first slow air is on Ron Gonella tapes and is perhaps Skinner or maybe Marshall or Gow? The second is the "Banks Hornpipe" written in Scotland by a gyuy of Italian descent and commonly played in CB. See Dwayne Cote. Third I have heard but do not know name of.

[celticagent]

I hope you like our music. If you want to hire us, we are available. Call 413-351-2261

Thanks, Jim & Adam

[aethefox7]

nice ass

[TRUMPHENT]

Standing ovation! Bravo!

[jeff61177]

3:05 to 3:10 is awesome! i love those tight triplets, on bagpipes we call it a birl.

[jeff61177]

anyone know the name of the tune? is it cape breton fiddle?

[shock4]

talent is just having fun doing your thing.

[jmarshall5833]

Naw, I play a 100year old fiddle. It's talent that makes it sound like that

[plusran]

great tone!

[cooloff000007]

beautiful...party time.

[dancingsprinkles2]

I was named Breton after Cape Breton :)

[classicalheartburn]

ahhhhhhh cape bretoners. gotta love em, theres no other way

[shawnyboie]

should hear dwayne cote play the banks beautiful as welllll!!!!

[ilovebriecheese]

By the way, what's the name of the song Donnel plays while Natalie's dancing?

[ilovebriecheese]

Clear notes have a lot to do with how you hold the bow. If it's crooked (even a teensy bit too close to the bridge or finger board) it will give you some "fuzz". It's also important to put weight into the bow when you're playing.

Sometimes it can be the quality of the strings, too. Some people change their strings and re-hair their bow every year.

[Jhelannaya]

i agree, it has so much to do with how you hold your bow. even if your hand is tence and ridged, and you have good strings and bow...it will sound off. if a hard balence, putting weight into the bow like you said, but also keeping a loss and relaxed hand and arm!

[atelierviolins]

I do likethese two fiddlers.....

[Naryain]

maybe the notes are so clear cause its like a super expensivley custom made fiddle

[MDPB]

Would love to be at one of their kitchen parties..

[shawnyboie]

i know how the keys and stuff. and i can play good timing but how can't u make notes so clear???

i wish i could

[phillaneseventhirty]

17:54-18:09 is just so good! Man i wish i could play like that

[RunWithTheHatchet]

Never have I clapped with and had such a good time watching a solo or duet on Youtube. 10 out of 10 and special thanks to whoever screwed up downstairs to give them ten extra minutes.

[skeetmonkey69]

I love cape breton..

[1likestoplaymusic]

I feel kind of inspired. Maybe I should start playing violin again. Heck with the cello.

[bigtkettle]

she is so pretty

[termc]

None of the posts here reflect any awareness that these two are MARRIED---and VERY married. She had her third child with Donnell Leahy--just about two months ago. Saw her last night in Virginia, and she was talking about it. She looks great--must be cuz of all that step dancing! These two will be back there, playing together, later this season. I'll hope to catch it. Should be GREAT.

[repsoner]

this music is so beautiful. Can bring tears

[shawnpierre8]

what an absolute talent. makes me proud to be a cape bretoner! i wouldn't wish to be from anywhere else on the planet. if you haven't been here i would strongly recomend it. you will love it no matter where you're from.

[christianmachafolk]

oh man, not just a pretty face... :) musical greetings to cape breton.. (my fiancee's aunt and uncle live there...)

[anotherscrewedupteen]

she is amazinggg :)

when i was little i wanted to be her :P

[NatureLover987]

when i was big i wanted to be her too lol :)

[marmagot]

third tune is fairy dance

song is incorrect... implies that there are lyrics.

[khmerviolinist]

at the beggining she was tuning, hope this helps

[ArkHazy]

Anyone know the name of the last song that Leahy plays?

[fiddlegee]

YAY Big John Macneil at the end :) Love it!!!

[Wonkapoo]

I saw her play live. So there

[steamwhistle28]

And i saw her twice =)

[Teabonesteak]

Just let's the music do the talkin. MABOU!

[jennileemartineau]

Yeah the second tune is Jenny Dang The Weaver or Jenny Beguiled The Weaver.

[6xxx6doty6xxx6]

THAT WAS AWSOME!!!!!!!

[sdnalloh]

Does anyone know what songs she's playing at the beginning there? I really like percussive triplets she uses. Simply amazing!

[djarankin]

Donnell... her feet are going to set on fire, ease up the tempo. jeely jumpins

[samisyosam]

Cape Breton fiddling is some nifty stuff. It's nice to see them play the traditional tunes without the ridiculous amounts of flair their acts have nowadays. I prefer the stuff that's more laidback than Natalie's current stuff and Leahy... he should probably switch to decaf. I wonder if they'd do a video like this on Jerry Holland or Wendy Macisaac.

[KDIZ930]

holy crap. i could never be that good.

[craigmason84]

UHHHH! That last song was F to the UNKY!

[teletizzle]

amazing talent!

[DaveGIS123]

This is great, fun, down home music --- it reminds me of Don Messer's Jubilee ;-)

[shadowwalker7777]

Omg... I used to watch Don Messer, too! Thanks for the reminder. Now we've really dated ourselves... hahaha

Great musical talent Natalie and Donnell!

[stardust1007]

It's like two violins playing at the same time!!! amazing!