Fiddle Time Joggers Accompaniment serves as a core pedagogical tool for early string education. Written by Kathy and David Blackwell and published by Oxford University Press , Fiddle Time Joggers is an acclaimed beginner method book containing 47 very easy pieces tailored for violinists working from open strings up to ABRSM Grade 1 level. While the solo student book introduces basic fingerings, rhythmic structures, and bowing patterns, the accompaniments inject life, context, and structural stability into early practice sessions. Without a reliable backing track or live partner, a beginner's open-string exercise can feel monotonous. With accompaniment, it turns into a collaborative performance. The Three Types of Accompaniment The Fiddle Time ecosystem provides three distinct ways to integrate accompaniment into lessons and home practice. 1. Audio Backing Tracks (Digital & Streaming) Fiddle Time Joggers - Album by Kathy Blackwell | Spotify
Unlocking the Rhythm: The Essential Guide to Fiddle Time Joggers Accompaniment For young violinists taking their first steps beyond open strings, Kathy Blackwell and David Blackwell’s Fiddle Time Joggers is a rite of passage. It is the bright orange beacon that introduces the finger pattern of B, A, and G on the D and A strings. However, a book of melodies is only half the story. The secret to transforming mechanical practice into musical performance lies in one crucial element: the Fiddle Time Joggers accompaniment. Whether you are a teacher playing at a lesson, a parent dueting at home, or a self-taught adult using a CD or digital track, understanding how to use the accompaniment effectively is the difference between "playing notes" and "making music." Why Accompaniment Matters for the Young String Player Before diving into the how , we must address the why . Many beginners practice in a vacuum. Without a harmonic or rhythmic backdrop, a simple tune like "Hot Cross Buns" can feel sterile. The Fiddle Time Joggers accompaniment (available as a CD, a download, or a separate piano book) serves three vital functions:
Rhythmic Security: A solo violinist tends to speed up during easy parts and slow down during tricky shifts. A steady accompaniment—especially the lively piano or cello parts provided—acts as a metronome with a soul. Pitch Awareness: When a child plays a slightly flat F-sharp, it may go unnoticed in isolation. But against the piano’s chord of D major, that wrong note will clash painfully. The accompaniment trains the ear to listen outwardly , not just inwardly. Musicality: The "Joggers" level is about energy (jogging, not walking). The accompaniment tracks feature zesty folk rhythms, drum kits (on the CD version), and walking bass lines that literally compel the student to play with a bouncing bow stroke.
The Two Formats: Piano Book vs. Audio Tracks To effectively use Fiddle Time Joggers accompaniments, you need to know what resources exist. Parents often buy only the Violin Book (the orange one), missing half the product. 1. The Official Accompaniment Book (Piano & Cello) The Fiddle Time Joggers Accompaniment book (often blue or green, depending on the edition) contains the full piano scores and optional cello duet parts. This is the gold standard for private lessons. It allows a teacher to adjust tempo, repeat a tricky bar, or simplify a chord for a nervous student. The cello part is particularly brilliant, allowing two students to play together or a teacher to play the bass line on a second violin. 2. The CD/Download Tracks The original Fiddle Time Joggers CD was a revolution. It features live musicians playing piano, acoustic guitar, bass, and percussion. These are not boring midi files. The "jogging" tempo encourages a light, articulate stroke. Pro Tip: The CD tracks often include a "tuning track" and separate channels for left and right speakers—putting the violin on one side and the accompaniment on the other, so you can mute the violin part to play along. A Piece-by-Piece Guide to Using the Accompaniment Let’s look at three specific pieces from the book and how the accompaniment changes your practice strategy. Piece 1: "Shuttle Song" (Open A and E) fiddle time joggers accompaniment
The Problem: Beginners often hack at open strings with a heavy, vertical arm. The Accompaniment Solution: The piano plays a steady, off-beat "um-cha" rhythm (like a shuttle weaving). Listen specifically to the left hand of the piano. The syncopation forces the violin player to use short, bouncy bows in the middle. Without the accompaniment, this is just a boring open string exercise. With it, it sounds like a reel.
Piece 2: "The Three Brown Bears" (Introducing 3rd finger)
The Problem: The third finger (D on the A string) is weak and often flat. The Accompaniment Solution: The cello part plays a drone (repeating tonic and dominant notes). As your third finger lands on D, listen to the cello. If it sounds "sour" and beats against the cello’s resonance, your finger is too low. Push up that finger until the interval sounds sweet. The accompaniment gives you a tuning fork for your intonation. Fiddle Time Joggers Accompaniment serves as a core
Piece 3: "Jogging Along" (The Title Track)
The Problem: Students lose the "jogging" feel and revert to a clumsy stomp. The Accompaniment Solution: The CD track includes a tambourine on beats 2 and 4 (the backbeat). This is pure joy. It forces the student to lift the bow at the end of each note. Practice the rhythm first: clap the bow changes while the CD plays. Once your clapping matches the tambourine, pick up the violin. Suddenly, you aren't practicing; you are performing.
How to Practice With the Accompaniment (A 3-Step Method) Most students waste the accompaniment because they use it incorrectly. Do not simply press "play" and try to keep up. Here is the "Fiddle Time Joggers" strategic method: Step 1: The "Ghost Play" (Listen without playing) Put on the track for the piece you are learning. Do not raise your bow. Instead, tap the rhythm of the violin part on your knee or the chin rest of the violin. Sing the finger pattern (e.g., "D-D-D, A-A, B-B-B"). You must internalize the road map before driving the car. Step 2: The "Loud Metronome" (Play pizzicato first) Pluck the strings with your right hand finger (pizzicato) along with the CD. Plucking removes the variable of the bow and lets you focus entirely on rhythmic placement and left-hand fingers. If you can pluck "Jiggy Jig" perfectly in time, the bow will be easy. Step 3: The "Performance Run" (Bow with flow) Now add the bow. Play softly (mp) so you can hear the accompaniment clearly. Do not stop if you make a mistake—the jogger doesn’t stop for a stumble. keep jogging. The track will catch you. Parental Involvement: The "Backing Track" Parent You do not need to be a pianist to help. If you bought the Accompaniment CD, your job is the DJ . Learn which track corresponds to which piece (track 4 is "Dinosaur Park"; track 12 is "C string concerto"). Activity for at home: Play the track for "Merrily We Roll Along" without telling your child the title. Ask them to guess the tune just from hearing the piano chords. This builds aural skills. Then, ask them to play along. When they finish, celebrate the fact that they just played with a full rhythm section. Troubleshooting: When the Accompaniment Fights Back Sometimes, the Fiddle Time Joggers accompaniment seems too fast or too busy. Here is how to fix that: Without a reliable backing track or live partner,
Problem: "The CD is too fast for my child."
Solution: Many modern digital audio workstations (Audacity is free) allow you to slow down an MP3 without changing the pitch. Slow "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" to 70% speed. Learn the notes. Bump it up to 85% next week. Eventually, you’ll be at 100%.