I was blown away a couple of years ago when I learned -- right here on Fiddlerman.com -- that this event existed and it was held just up the interstate from where I live. It was a post by Mr. Jim @Worldfiddler that referenced Fiddle Hell, just after the 2013 event. I put Fiddle Hell 2013 on my calendar immediately.

One wouldn't expect such a large gathering of fiddlers around here...New England has a distinctive fiddle style but fiddle music isn't as mainstream as it is elsewhere, like in the South. At best, you're most likely to hear fiddle music in the many Irish pubs in the Boston area.

I will try to remember to take some pictures and will give a full report afterward.

Thought I'd give a little report on Fiddle Hell 2014 and share a photo and video from the weekend.

First of all, this is an excellent event and learning opportunity for fiddlers of all levels. It runs two and half days and the program is packed with workshops and jams for all skill levels and fiddle styles.

This year, Fiddle Hell moved to a new, more spacious venue. It was much more comfortable for playing and learning in the workshops, and was better for meeting and conversing with other fiddlers.

I attended sessions at the "Beginner-Advancing Beginner" and "Advancing Beginner-Intermediate" level (I'd put myself in the Advancing Beginner category) on genres including Irish, Bluegrass, Quebecois and Old Time.

Although some instructors offer sheet music for the tunes they teach, most of the learning is by ear. When sheet music is offered, it's usually distributed after the session.

I found that I did well picking up a tune by ear in some sessions, and not so well in others. Don't know why exactly...could be teaching style, musical style, or fatigue on my part (I seemed to do the best early in the day, not surprisingly).

The instructors are excellent, well known fiddlers. Their CDs and instructional books are available for purchase in the registration area.

The jams were fun, too. I participated in several slow jams and enjoyed just listening in on some higher level jams, which popped up in hallways and the pub.

I highly recommend this event. Mark your calendar...Fiddle Hell 2015 will be November 6-8. Start saving for the travel and/or ask for the time off from work. It will be well worth it.

To give you a little taste of what Fiddle Hell is like, here's a photo from one of the sessions and video clips of a hallway jam and a jam in the pub.

And, for more information on Fiddle Hell, here's a link to the website: http://www.reinerfamilyband.co.....ction.html

Ripton said
a bit late, but thanks for the shares. This is the same venue only a few weeks before I went to a professional conference. It's less than an hour from home. I really need a new job, as it seems every year, Fiddle Hell is on a week end I work 

It's less than an hour from home for me, too, @Ripton . We must live not too far from each other...of course you could be less than an hour in another direction. Hope you can make it next year...Fiddle Hell is great. Fiddle Hell 2015 will be Nov. 6-8. Put in your request to get the weekend off now!