American fiddle-playing began with the early European settlers, who found that the small viol family of instruments were more portable and rugged than other instruments of the period. According to Ron Yule, "John Utie, a 1620 immigrant, settled in the North and is credited as being the first known fiddler on American soil". Early influences were Irish, Scottish, and English fiddle styles, as well as the more upper-class traditions of classical violin playing. Popular tunes included "Soldier's Joy", for which Robert Burns wrote lyrics, and other tunes such as "Flowers of Edinburgh" and "Tamlin," which have both been claimed by both Scottish and Irish lineages.
Fiddler in Wichita Riverfest
Woman playing fiddle (right) with her family in a California migrant camp, 1939
Appalachian music is the music of the region of Appalachia in the Eastern United States. Traditional Appalachian music is derived from various influences, including the ballads, hymns and fiddle music of the British Isles, and to a lesser extent the music of Continental Europe.
Appalachian music
"A lamentable ballad of the little Musgrove", 17th century antecedent of "Matty Groves"
Scottish Fiddler Niel Gow
The Old Plantation, c.1790, shows African American slaves playing a banjo-like instrument, probably in Beaufort County, South Carolina
