Ira Bernstein's “Chips and Sauce”
Fiddler Magazine|Fall 2019
Ira Bernstein’s “Chips and Sauce”
Mark Simos
Ira Bernstein's “Chips and Sauce”

This column is the first of what I intend as a new series featuring newer original fiddle tunes (or at least tunes playable on fiddle!). As an avid maker of tunes myself, and in recent years teaching tune-writing at Berklee College of Music, for some time I’ve wanted to do more to celebrate the tunesmith’s art, and to recognize the many contemporary tunesmiths who are continually adding to their respective traditions – especially those less often acknowledged.

Ira Bernstein (a longtime personal friend) is an acclaimed and influential dancer, who was a pivotal figure in the 1980s/’90s percussive dance revival in the old time and wider folk scenes. In legendary solo performances, Ira integrated Appalachian flatfooting styles with varied regional step, clog, and tap dance traditions, interweaving steps learned from older dancers with his own improvised or choreographed movement vocabulary.

Ira also plays fiddle, though primarily in solo or social rather than performance contexts. And, during a fecund decade or so circa the 1990s, Ira composed – or rather, “made,” as he like many tunesmiths prefers to describe the craft – a sprightly batch of original fiddle tunes: most in an old time style, with some waltzes and a few outlier curiosities.

This story is from the Fall 2019 edition of Fiddler Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Fall 2019 edition of Fiddler Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FIDDLER MAGAZINEView All
Bluegrass Fiddling
Fiddler Magazine

Bluegrass Fiddling

Mac Magaha-Nashville's Dancing Fiddler

time-read
1 min  |
Fall 2022
The Intrepid Fiddler
Fiddler Magazine

The Intrepid Fiddler

Busking in the Digital Age

time-read
5 mins  |
Fall 2022
Isle of Birds
Fiddler Magazine

Isle of Birds

Scottish Fiddling with Pete Clark

time-read
4 mins  |
Fall 2022
Jody's Column
Fiddler Magazine

Jody's Column

"Broken Down Gambler" as played by The Skillet Lickers

time-read
3 mins  |
Fall 2022
Tunesmiths
Fiddler Magazine

Tunesmiths

A Favorite Tune and its Mysterious Title

time-read
7 mins  |
Fall 2022
On Improvisation
Fiddler Magazine

On Improvisation

In this On Improvisation column, we'll be discussing Mr. (or Ms.) Pinky, as he (or she) is known to his (or her) friends.

time-read
4 mins  |
Fall 2022
Ingredients of Fiddle Tunes
Fiddler Magazine

Ingredients of Fiddle Tunes

After several years of teaching and playing at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington, Marc Savoy, accordion maker and player, said he did not want to return.

time-read
6 mins  |
Fall 2022
Glen Harrell - Turn up the Volume
Fiddler Magazine

Glen Harrell - Turn up the Volume

In just a little over 10 years since its formation, Volume Five has become one of the most popular bluegrass bands in the industry. The reason is obvious: distinctive, strong vocals, quality instrumentation, well-chosen bluegrass and gospel songs in its repertoire, and a dedicated leader of the band.

time-read
5 mins  |
Fall 2022
Violin Maker's Corner
Fiddler Magazine

Violin Maker's Corner

Fundamental Friction Facts for Fiddler Folks

time-read
5 mins  |
Fall 2022
Murray Kuun: Non-traditional Violin Maker
Fiddler Magazine

Murray Kuun: Non-traditional Violin Maker

Murray Kuun is a woodworker and luthier living in South Africa, where he builds violins and other instruments. In a recent interview, he told us about his path to becoming a maker of instruments with innovative designs.

time-read
2 mins  |
Fall 2022