PICTOU – Pictou County's reigning queen of fiddle is opening a new chapter of her musical career by compiling a book capturing the rich history of fiddling in the region.
Fleur Mainville has spent the past two years researching the origins of 38 fiddle tunes, which she has included in a new book Pictou County Fiddle Tunes.
"It's a book for fiddlers, but it's also for people who don't play but love music," said Mainville.
She said the project began as a teaching aid for her students, but the more research she did she decided it was important for everyone to understand the roots of the uniquely Pictou County Down East fiddle tunes she has spent years bowing.
She began her music career at age five inspired to take up the violin by a Jim Henson's Muppet show.
She studied violin for the next decade, then was enticed to learn the art of fiddling.
"It was because of a lot of people in this book, such as Hector Mackenzie, who the book is dedicated to, that got me interested," she said.
One of the most common questions she is asked in what is the different between a violin and fiddle?
She explains while it is the same instrument, the style in which it is played sets the two words worlds apart.
"Fiddle is slang," she said. "It's like the word ain't."
"Fiddle is certainly just as popular and just as present as violin."
The book includes music notations for each tune; information about the composer and in some cases the story behind the song.
The award-winning fiddler has also recorded each of the music selections on a CD, accompanied by Kimberly Holmes, and will include the compilation with each book.
Many well-known fiddlers in the county have been included in this project such as Fred and Avery Chapman, George Durning, Edna Peppard, Hector Mackenzie and many others.
"Hector will be turning 91 and has been, and continues to be, very influential and supportive in the Pictou County Fiddle community," said Mainville.
A book launch celebration will be held at the deCoste Centre in Pictou Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Mainville will be joined on stage by several other Pictou County entertainers during the two-hour long concert.
The cost of tickets is $25, which includes admission to the event, as well as a copy of the book and CD.
The first 50 people to purchase tickets will be entered in a draw to win all four of Mainville's CDs and a T-shirt.
After the launch the book will sell for $30 at local music stores. For more information visit www.fleurmainville.ca
