Reflections L. Gina Canter, Heartsong Artworks, Barnardsville NC These poems, stories, songs, quote, and art have been gathered from all over the world, partly via FIDDLE-L, an online list for fiddlers and those who love fiddle music. dhebert@crocker.com

Playing with J. P. Fraley by Betty Vornbrock Ultimately I love sound. I love the texture of banjo & fiddle together. I love the dissonant buzzes. I love the things a bow can do. And as much as I dearly love a good hot swingin' old-time jam, I must say that some of the most musically fulfilling moments for me are when more than one fiddle comes together. Branching out into delicious harmonies, weaving in and out with each other, creating a lush carpet of vibration ~ the whole is much more than the sum of the parts. One very late Clifftop evening our camp had a jam going with J.P. Fraley, Barb Kuhns, Linda Scutt, Jenny Allinder, Alan Freeman, my husband Billy, and myself. Five fiddles, one dulcimer, and one guitar. We had been in "Tearjerker Heck" for a while, Barb, Linda, Jenny & I trading harmony lines, vining around J.P.'s sweet melodies. Most folks who have jammed with J.P. know that he often plays very softly, which usually results in a fine session of everyone having to listen more closely, rather than the more common decibel escalation. This night we had one of those collective consciousness moments when we ALL began playing softer, and softer, and softer, and finally each as absolutely quietly as we possibly could... Five-part fiddle harmony, Alan's uniquely tasteful dulcimer counterpoints, and the merest guitar. Whispering, delicate, music. It was a Moment. Betty Vornbrock is a Virginia fiddler and fiddle teacher.