Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention - Rules & Regulations



Rules & Regulations

Click Here for printable version of rules for all categories pdf

  1. GENERAL REGULATIONS:
    1. Contest rules and regulations may be amended depending on the situation and events at hand during the convention.
    2. The judges' decision will be final.
    3. The judges will not be permitted to enter or play in any contest category.
    4. No electrical instruments or drums will be permitted in any category.
    5. No contestant will be permitted to register for any category after the registration for that category has closed. After registration and before the event starts, all contestants will draw for position at the staging area behind Founders Hall. NO exceptions will be made.
    6. Contestants must be present and in proper drawn position for entry on to the stage when name is called for the staging area. Late arrivals or no-shows will be eliminated from the event. Allowances may be made for broken strings and other happenings judged to be beyond the control of the contestant(s).
    7. In the interest of fairness to each contestant, a time limit of 2 1/2 minutes per tune is allowed.
    8. Contestants must have instruments tuned and ready to play when called to stage. Tuning on stage may result in loss of points
    9. Judges will NOT he allowed to advise contestants in their selection of tune to be played.

  2. GENERAL CATEGORY RULES (Rules that apply to more than one category):
    1. Contestants in the Dulcimer, Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Dobro, Bluegrass Banjo, Old Time Banjo, Old Time Singing and Beginning Fiddler (ages 10 # under) will perform one tune (song). First through fifth place winners will be selected.
    2. Contestants in the Classic Old Time, Junior and Senior Fiddler categories will play two tunes in both the eliminations and the finals. Beginning Fiddlers (ages 11-15) will play one tune, a tune of his/her choice in the eliminations and two tunes (a breakdown and a waltz) in the finals.
      1. Five finalists will be selected in each category.
      2. The contestant may have a maximum of two accompanists, to include any combination of a guitar, a banjo, or a bass fiddle.
      3. Classic Old Time Fiddler will play two tunes, a breakdown and a tune of choice (i.e. polka, march, schottische, rag, reel, waltz). Beginning fiddlers will play a breakdown in the eliminations and a breakdown and a tune of choice in the finals.
      4. The Junior and Senior Fiddler will pay a waltz and either a breakdown, or another traditional fiddle piece (such as a reel, a hornpipe, a jig, or a schottische) during the eliminations, finals, and fiddle-off.
    3. Old Time String Bands and Bluegrass Bands will perform one tune in the eliminations and two tunes in the finals. A band and individual band members may enter only ONE band category, i.e., Bluegrass or Old Time, but not both. The tunes may be either vocal or instrumental. Band members and instruments played must be the same in the eliminations and the finals (no substitutions allowed).
    4. Tunes performed in the eliminations may not be repeated by the same contestant (or contestants, in the case of the bands) in the finals.
    5. Any contestants (to include bands) who has won first (1st) place for two (2) consecutive years will not be allowed to compete in the same category the following year. They may perform, but will not be judged.

  3. SPECIFIC CATEGORY RULES:
    1. General: Contestant will perform one tune. First through fifth place winners will be selected. Any contestant (entry) who has won first (1st) place for two (2) consecutive years will not be allowed to compete in the same category the following year. They may perform, but will not be judged. Contestant may perform unaccompanied or with one or two accompanists. Should the accompanying instrument be the same as the lead instrument, care must be taken by the accompanist to make sure that his/her accompaniment does not over power the lead instrument. Points will be lost if this happens.
    2. Harmonica: The use of chromatic or double reed harmonicas will not be permitted. Only ten (10 hole), twenty (20) note harmonicas will be allowed. Only one (1) harmonica may be used per tune. Old style tunes are preferred.
    3. Mandolin: Only eight (8) stringed standard finger board is allowed. No cross tuning of instrument permitted during performance of tune.
    4. Bluegrass Banjo: Five (5) stringed only. The use of Scruggs type tuners is prohibited. Performers should avoid the standard "show" tunes such as Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Earl's Breakdown, John Hardy, etc.
    5. Old Time Singing: Old Time Singing is limited to a maximum of two (2) performers. One performer must sing. However, each performer may sing and play an instrument.
    6. Beginning Fiddlers (ages 10 & under): This category is for fiddlers ten (10) years of age and under. A fiddler ten (10) years and under may enter the Junior Fiddler category sixteen (16) through fifty-nine (59) years, but not both. Any Beginner Fiddler who has won first (1st) place three (3) times will be required to enter the junior Fiddler category after the third (3rd) win regardless of age. Once a Beginner Fiddler has entered the Junior Fiddler category, he/she may not re-enter the Beginning Fiddler category in subsequent years. Please keep in mind that the purpose of this category is to promote BEGINNING fiddlers. Contestant will play one tune, a tune of his/her choice. First through fifth place winners will be selected. The contestant may have a maximum of 2 accompanists, to include any combination of a guitar, a banjo, or a bass fiddle. No tuning other than standard tuning is allowed in any category other than Classic Old Time Fiddle.
    7. Beginning Fiddlers (ages 11-15): This category is for fiddlers ages eleven through fifteen (11-15) years. A fiddler fifteen (15) years and under may enter the Junior Fiddler category sixteen (16) through fifty-nine (59) years, but not both. Any Beginner Fiddler who has won first (1st) place three (3) times will be required to enter the junior Fiddler category after the third (3rd) win regardless of age. Once a Beginner Fiddler has entered the Junior Fiddler category, he/she may not re-enter the Beginning Fiddler category in subsequent years. Please keep in mind that the purpose of this category is to promote BEGINNING fiddlers. Contestant will play one tune, a tune of his/her choice, in the eliminations. Two tunes, time permitting, a breakdown and a waltz will be played during the finals. Contest officials will make the decision to determine if one or two tunes will be played. Five (5) finalists will be selected from the eliminations. First through fifth place winners will be selected during the finals. The contestant may have a maximum of 2 accompanists, to include any combination of a guitar, a banjo, or a bass fiddle. No tuning other than standard tuning is allowed in any category other than Classic Old Time Fiddle.
    8. Classic Old Time Fiddler: This category is for fiddlers sixteen (16) and over. The purpose is to promote pure old time fiddling, and to eliminate the characteristics of the more modern, progressive style that is commonly heard today. Competitors in the Classic Old Time Fiddler category are not eligible to compete in the Junior or Senior Fiddler Competition and will not compete for the Tennessee Valley Fiddle King title. A fiddler in the category may be asked to perform in the Junior-Senior category if, in the opinion of the judges, he or she consistently performs in the more modern, progressive style. Contestant will play two tunes, a breakdown and tune of their choice. Five (5) finalists will be selected from the eliminations. First through fifth place winners will be selected during the finals. The contestant may have a maximum of 2 accompanists, to include any combination of a guitar, a banjo, or a bass fiddle. Any contestant (entry) who has won first (1st) place for two (2) consecutive years will not be allowed to compete in the same category the following year. They may perform, but will not be judged. Tunes performed in the eliminations may not be repeated by the same contestant in the finals. Cross tuning is permitted in the Classic Old Time Fiddle category ONLY! It is not permitted in the other fiddle categories.
    9. Senior Fiddlers, sixty (60) years and up, and Junior Fiddlers, sixteen (16) through fifty-nine (59): Contestant will play two tunes, a waltz and either a breakdown, or another traditional fiddle piece such as a reel, a hornpipe, a jig, or a schottische during the eliminations, finals, and fiddle-off. Five(5) finalists will be selected from the eliminations. First through fifth place winners will be selected during the finals. First place finalists will fiddle against the first place finalists of the SENIOR FIDDLER category in the FIDDLE-OFF. Any contestant (entry) who has won first (1st) place for two (2) consecutive years will not be allowed to compete in the same category the following year. They may perform, but will not be judged. The contestant may have a maximum of 2 accompanists, to include any combination of a guitar, a banjo, or a bass fiddle. Tunes performed in the eliminations may not be repeated by the same contestant in the finals. No tuning other than standard tuning is allowed in any category other than Classic Old Time Fiddle. Competitors in the Senior and Junior Fiddlers categories are not eligible to compete in the Classic Old Time Fiddler category.
    10. Old Time Banjo: Five (5) stringed only. Scruggs type tuners are not allowed. Fretless fingerboard is permitted.
    11. Guitar (Finger-Picking): Guitar utilized shall be six (6) string. "Dobro" type guitars not permitted. This category could be referred to as "Thumb/Finger Style", "Drop Thumb", "Finger Picking", or possibly other names, the method remains the same, (i.e. Merle Travis, Chet Atkins). Rhythm is played with the thumb and the melody of tune is played with fingers, thus, thumb/finger style.
    12. Guitar (Flat Picking): Guitar utilized shall be six (6) string. "Dobro" type guitars not permitted. This category will consist of "flat picking" guitar style (i.e. Doc Watson) even though use of right hand style may vary slightly, the end result will be single notes to bring together the tune selection.
    13. Bluegrass Band: The band shall consist of at least three (3) members, but not more than six (6). Minimum instruments shall be a fiddle, a banjo, and a guitar. Band members can participate in ONE band only in this category. Band instrumentation and personnel must be the same for eliminations and finals. The use of Scruggs type tuners on the banjo is not allowed. Please avoid overplayed tunes such as Foggy Mountain Breakdown. John Hardy, etc. Any band member may be asked to demonstrate their ability to play their instrument. All band members MUST demonstrate an ability to play the instrument they are holding.
    14. Old Time String Band: The band shall consist of at least three (3) members. but not more than six (6). Minimum instruments shall be a fiddle, a banjo, and a guitar. Band members can participate in ONE band only in this category. Band instruments and personnel must be the same for eliminations and finals. Bluegrass style banjo is not allowed. Lead instrument is not limited to the fiddle. Any band member may be asked to demonstrate their ability to play their instrument.
    15. Buck Dancing: This event should consist of authentic old-time dancing in true flat-footing style. The arms should not be flounced, but should be held loosely at the sides of the body. The foot should be kept parallel to the floor and as close to the floor as possible (kicks, Charleston steps, crossovers, clogging steps, exaggerated backward or side steps are prohibited). The contestant should keep the head and shoulders as level as possible. No taps will be allowed. This is not a "No holds barred" type of contest, but a contest that stresses the traditional "buck" or "flat-footing" style. Five (5) finalists will be selected from the eliminations. First through fifth place winners will be selected during the finals.
    16. Dulcimer: Only strummed, picked, or plucked Appalachian or mountain style dulcimers with three or four strings will be judged. Other types may enter, but will not be judged. Metal or plastic types of finger or thumb picks, i.e. banjo or Dobro style, may not be used. Traditional-style playing are encouraged. Modern tunes and progressive styles will result in a loss of points.
    17. Fiddle-Off: Junior-Senior Fiddler category rules apply. Tunes used in eliminations or finals may not be repeated by the same contestant in the Fiddle-Off.
    18. Dobro: Use of Capos are permitted

      1. JUDGING CRITERIA:
        1. Rhythm and Timing: 20 points. The rhythm and timing should be even and consistent. Any jerking, rushing, dragging, or unevenness in tempo of the performance will result in a loss of points.
        2. Danceability (Beginning Fiddlers, Classic Old Time Fiddler): 20 points. The judges will listen for minor variations and improvisations. However, the creativity should not be excessive so as to change or destroy the basic melody line of the tune, which will result in a loss of points.
        3. Creativity (Bluegrass Band, Bluegrass Banjo, Buck Dancing, Mandolin, Junior/Senior Fiddle-Off, Junior Fiddler, Harmonica, Guitar, Dulcimer, Dobro, Old Time Banjo, Old Time Singing Old Time String Band, Senior Fiddler): 20 points. The judges will listen for minor variations and improvisations. However, the creativity should not be excessive so as to change or destroy the basic melody line of the tune which will result in a loss of points.
        4. Authentic Performance Style: 20 points. Excessive and indiscriminate changes in a tune which makes the performance unclear or unrecognizable, or the addition of inappropriate modern "licks" will result in a loss of points.
        5. Expression: 20 points. The judges will listen for the "feeling" that the contestant puts into the performance. Flat, mechanical and unfeeling performances will result in lost points, as will excessive "showmanship".
        6. Execution: 20 points. The judges will listen for the tonal quality and clarity of the performance together with the general command of the instrument(s).

      2. GENERAL JUDGING CONSIDERATION:
        1. "Contest-style" fiddling will not be scored under the "Authentic Performance Style," judging criterion. Each tune will be judged independently.
        2. Each judging category has a potential of 20 points, for a possible score of 100 points per tune or song. The final score for each contestant will be averaged by the number of tunes or songs permitted in that category. High-low scores WILL NOT be thrown out (ALL points scored will be counted). Points scored in the eliminations will not be carried over into the finals.
        3. All contestants-performers are urged to consider placement of the microphones and the efforts of the persons responsible for the sound systems. Both are there to help the contestants-performers be clearly heard by the judges and audience alike. The judges will judge exactly what they hear. An instrument too close or too far away from a microphone could distort or drop out the sound, resulting in a loss of points. Please make sure your instruments are properly "miked'' and tuned properly prior to starting your performance.

          Contact Larry Keenum at 256-233-8141 for more information.

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