Playing the Cape Breton fiddle

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Playing the Cape Breton fiddle | Natalie MacMaster

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15 жыл бұрын

www.ted.com Natalie MacMaster and her musical partner Donnell Leahy play several tunes from the Cape Breton tradition -- a sprightly, soulful style of folk fiddling. It's an inspired collaboration that will have you clapping (and maybe dancing) along.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Watch the Top 10 TEDTalks on TED.com, at www.ted.com/ind...

Пікірлер: 494

@alicegetchell2293 7 ай бұрын

How many years ago was this performance? It's 2024 now and I'm still loving Natalie and Donnell just like I did in 2006 when my husband and I heard her in person in Glencoe Mills. This fiddling is timeless! Love, love, love it!!!!❤

@danielhartman7891 5 жыл бұрын

Least words spoken in a TED talk. Also my favorite TED TALK of all time.

@emncaity 4 жыл бұрын

absolute money.

@xray9er 3 жыл бұрын

We speak with music in Cape Breton:)

@darrellskinner5263 3 жыл бұрын

She’s a national treasure. Thank goodness CB shared her with us as well.

@pealovesq 13 жыл бұрын

She is astounding. That sound...so pure and perfect...it builds and builds till you can no longer stay seated! Pure rapture.

@loisdaughenbaugh3864 3 жыл бұрын

This woman is so talented. And raising her children with the same kind of talent....hats off to her

@roddiemacinnis7050 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve been back and forth in my whole life and I know that I am incredibly talented at the fiddle, and Ik now I’m not gonna stop till I’m this big one day Natalie.... one day

@BuckTravis 2 жыл бұрын

We saw her perform at the Canada 150 in Halifax five years ago. She and her fiddle stole our hearts. Since then we have seen he and the family perform in our home town of Park City Utah. Devine. A gift from God she is. ❤️

@warrenwilson4818 4 жыл бұрын

She is totally captivating, sort of a hyper performer. A wonderful contributor to Eastern Canada's culture and to the rest of the world too.

@susanvannorden6845 3 жыл бұрын

Her music enters my ears and flows to every organ and it ends up on my smiling face and tapping toes

@bronnythebard5459 3 жыл бұрын

That is the essence of fiddle music it is a toe tapping good time well unless it is a lament lol those are usually sad.

@williamboyle5041 10 жыл бұрын

We had the oppertunity of attending a concert provided by her Uncle, the renouned Cape Briton fiddler Buddy McMaster in Massachusetts back in the 1990's. The apple does not fall far from the tree! :-)

@shirelan-voiceofthetrees4492 6 жыл бұрын

William Boyle around the same time i produced a concert with Natalie and The Green Fields of America atcthe Troy (NY) Music Hall. She was something special at 16...even moreso today!

@davidpickup143 10 жыл бұрын

You are not alone Dave D, it is pure soul music, stirs the blood, gets the feet tappin'

@TheHeidzmeister 2 жыл бұрын

Thus made me cry happy tears 🤣😭🥰 Gotta love when music sings for the soul.

@rebeccamari 9 жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh they're so awesome. I love Natalie, and they're even better together. I saw them live and it was amazing.

@cagedlemp5184 7 жыл бұрын

A cape bretoner needs to hear the fiddle now and again when away from home.

@Retired_Gentleman 6 жыл бұрын

True words my friend, true words.

@RavMan40 5 жыл бұрын

I'm in Vancouver....you are right...makes me miss the soul of the place...

@jordangaudet409 4 жыл бұрын

In Edmonton Thinking about my cape Breton home

@Jazz2234 3 жыл бұрын

Even if you're a mainlander you need to hear it too 💙

@lanesutherland 5 ай бұрын

Aye they do!.. A mainlander away should surely be afforded the same luxury 😊

@calenkinney109 12 жыл бұрын

Donnell is one of the best fiddlers to ever play. Un-fricken-believable.

@mimaroo1431 3 жыл бұрын

I remember being in Cuba around the 1st of May, which is a special holiday in the area where we were. I suddenly heard East Coast fiddle music being played. Turned out there was an international middle school music competition going on and a group from Nova Scotia was competing.

@suea.swlondon7799 3 жыл бұрын

Just so amazingly talented ! With parents like this, no wonder the children are just brilliant too... Thank you guys for the music..

@edhaag7890 4 жыл бұрын

I saw these people at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights a few years ago. You HAVE to smile and clap. It seems that in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia fiddling and Clogging are almost a religion and the annual competition is fierce.

@dkd24 13 жыл бұрын

I love what they bring out in each other. They act so humble and new at this even when they are true artistic geniuses!

@dantco 9 жыл бұрын

Music straight from the soul to the instrument!

@smgregerson 13 жыл бұрын

Love them! Preformed on stage with her when I was younger (Step Dancing) and Im still proud of that accomplishment. They are both truely amazing and proud to have come from Cape Breton :) !

@Highlander031 13 жыл бұрын

Just as lovely as can be. I first saw her when she was 12 yrs old in Sydney. Another Cape Breton treasure.

@rohenhayne7158 7 жыл бұрын

Proud to be from Nova Scotia

@sgtcrab1 9 жыл бұрын

Rachel Hay...Jenny Dang the Weaver I believe followed by Skinners Fairy Dance. I once played these two tunes at the General Hindmarsh Hotel on the road from Adelaide to Port in 2004 or so when I was in SA. I studied at AMC / U Tas in Lauie back then and used to sit in at the Sunday sessions at Irish Murphy;s in the Salamanca Place Hobart. The guy who headed it up was perhaps the best Ulieen Piper I ever heard!

@gaetanserre 10 жыл бұрын

You both are wonderful and a great inspiration for all novice fiddlers like me

@sobeys1000 12 жыл бұрын

My Family grew up in Inverness Cape Breton Island, This kind of music brings back a lot of great memerios of my family.

@mrsfiddlegirl 13 жыл бұрын

I have had the pleasure of seeing Natalie M many times, but I had NO idea what a great Cape Breton pianist she is! She has been fiddling, and singing and dancing when I got to see her.. WOW I am SO impressed! The last few minutes of this video are absolutely breathtaking!

@cliffsandifer3877 Жыл бұрын

I had the "chance" of being judged by Natalie in longs peak highland games fiddle contest some decades ago ...I did not place. The lady contestants placed. her whole family ...what a bunch. I still play

@garycamera 13 жыл бұрын

Just incredible. Saw her in Carbodale, Illinois. Absolutely blew us away that night.

@teaeff8898 5 жыл бұрын

Let’s go Nat! God love a great fiddler from Cape Breton! PEI. And Nova Scotia. Newfoundland oh my. New Brunswick. Quebec has their own great sound. Ontario, especially up north. And on and on across Canada 🇨🇦

@MARITIMEMUSICANDMORE 3 жыл бұрын

Talent that blows the mind. Just simply incredible.

@BrianWHurlburt 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for having this here! I'm from Nova Scotia and miss it, so as I sit here in my Home Office in Moncton working on our Watkins Products Business it's nice to be able to listen to some good tunes from Nova Scotia.

@quentincooper1529 10 жыл бұрын

I wish i had learned to play the fiddle properly like these people obviously did, great stuff.

@6663000 6 жыл бұрын

Brought a tear to my eye by 0:50 This is the kind of music that makes you proud to be Nova Scotian.

@dorotwhy 15 жыл бұрын

I knew it had to get people going!!! This music is too lively and spirit filled to sit still and listen politely like ladies and gentlemen.

@dkd24 14 жыл бұрын

You know what I absolutely love about this...if you didn't know who she was you would think that she is new to this - not playing - but performing. What I mean by that is - watch the beginning and the end, she acts so "like ok I'm going to try and do this". Her actions are still so humble after all her years of performing and success. A very admirable trait.

@farnorthpicker56 8 ай бұрын

Makes me remember my time in Cheticamp visiting family. The local channel had so much great traditional music on it. And twice we were lucky enough to sit and watch Colin Grant with Jason Roach.

@PreetingPaws 10 жыл бұрын

so great. my family is from cape breton, hearing natalie play makes me remeniss.

@aranmexican 14 жыл бұрын

Superb. The last tune in Natalie's first set is known, in Ireland, as "The Fairy Reel". It is said - if I recall correctly - that Mickey Doherty got it from the fairies... but my memory of the music-filled night on which I heard that bit of tune folklore is a little fuzzy. In their last set together, the first tune (only once through) is Cape Breton and the second tune is a version of "The Mason's Apron", which probably occurs in Scotland as well as Canada and Ireland.

@Watermelon_cat-ro6qc 8 ай бұрын

The only tune I know in here is "Jenny Dang the Weaver". Second tune in the first set

@AZTurnkey 11 жыл бұрын

How could you "not" like this. Beautiful and talented.

@nskimharris 5 жыл бұрын

I finally know some of these song titles! Just think...in ten more years I might be able to play some of them well too! Thank you for always being an inspiration!

@danielzarwell9318 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Natalie. You and your fiddle are wounderful

@1968lori Жыл бұрын

She is so amazing!

@nojegr 12 жыл бұрын

I first saw [it's truly a visual as well as auditory experience] Natalie when she was still a teenager and was introduced by John McDermott. Her ability to fiddle & step dance simultaneously was amazing.

@jamesbockenstette4332 6 жыл бұрын

Thank God for these two. The world is blest.

@Tech875O 13 жыл бұрын

Simply amazing. The music brings out so many emotions. Thank You for sharing.

@baileymae11 13 жыл бұрын

My mouth is on the floor! Both are awesome!!!

@Hoosierfiddler 11 жыл бұрын

Natalie has been a fan of mine for many years. Such NICE family and talent all around - met her n Ogden, Utah at a concert and still have the 25 lessons video, which my husband turned into a CD. Don't wait too long to try to fiddle - it's a whole new world! I am having difficulty after READING my whole life and being a classical musician. Look up Mark O'Connor - I now teach my students HIS FIDDLE METHOD. Natalie got me interested first, though. She dances while playing, too!

@Goruthar 5 жыл бұрын

They are both wonderful fiddle players. Natalie is steeped is Celtic Tradition, Donnell as well but there is a certain classical element in his style, somewhat reminiscent of Joseph Szgeti.

@spookth 13 жыл бұрын

18 minutes and 47 seconds of pure beauty...Natalie ( Buddys neice) and Donnell are as close as it comes to perfection!!!!

@christolynhigginbotham11 4 жыл бұрын

Great performance, Coordination ! PERFECT- BOTH OF YOU!

@moonlitday1614 9 жыл бұрын

@Rachel Hay - The song at 2;10 is Jenny Dang The Weaver.

@daved8161 10 жыл бұрын

Why does this music make me weep?

@iskandertime747 7 жыл бұрын

me too..

@NJA1039 7 жыл бұрын

thats called fiddle brother!

@justinsteele2304 6 жыл бұрын

Because she sounds fuckin beautiful buddy.

@stayalivesweetheart 6 жыл бұрын

Because it comes from the heart :)

@johnhawley6799 6 жыл бұрын

Anything from the island always touches the heart. It's always been like that, it always will.

@AndreGuimond 10 жыл бұрын

Thats a pretty lovely video. Great showcase of East Coast talent and humble musicians. Great Job!

@ericbrucewalker2601 10 жыл бұрын

JUST THE GREATEST SOUND AROUND. PRAISE GOD..

@TheWanderer22 9 жыл бұрын

More like praise Natalie!

@BucketOfAndrew 9 жыл бұрын

You're right it makes me want to dance and praise my Lord Jesus!

@christopherrobinson767 8 жыл бұрын

What is it about this video that 73 people would dislike? Great job guys! I love music from back home. Sitting here in Alberta missing home 🤔

@paynectygardener2033 7 жыл бұрын

Those 73 people do not have the Celtic ancestry required to properly understand and enjoy this fiddle music. The gentleman and lady performing the music here do have the ancestry to make sounds for us Celts to truly enjoy.

@hughmacdonald9568 7 жыл бұрын

Where are you from Chris? Hughie Johnny Archie MacDonald....Judique & Detroit

@maidenrulz73 6 жыл бұрын

PayneCty Gardener it’s all a matter of taste really....I’m as scot as they get and a lover of cape breton fiddle style (I live here) and I don’t like this video....I’m not a fan of Natalie’s playing style (although extremely talented) and certainly not a fan of his....if you listen to the old style of playing with the real Gaelic flair you’d know why people dislike it.....some like this style but certainly not a cape breton style

@rossmacintosh5652 5 жыл бұрын

No they clicked the "Dis I Like!" button. Everybody liked this. 😁

@WilliamCerf 12 жыл бұрын

OMG!!! What a wonderful set. I just can't get over how beautiful this really is. Thank you TEDX.

@TheDaringSpoon 9 жыл бұрын

Both so amazingly talented, a true inspiration.

@EleRocks 12 жыл бұрын

I'm a bit intoxicated and right now I feel like I'm in somewhere 17th century (sorry if my history of violin music is a bit off, haha) tavern of awesome. Such festive moods! What a great amount of work done there to learn to play like that... and such feel of true enjoyment for music.

@shesaidhellogoodbye 15 жыл бұрын

Excellent! Absolutely brilliant! I caught myself almost clapping at one point!

@alemar1122 15 жыл бұрын

gotta love that Maritimer accent, i heard it and it brought a smile to my face immediately. she represents everything i love about our east coast

@bglennan1 11 жыл бұрын

Amazing...one of the best traditional styles on the fiddle.

@stardust1007 15 жыл бұрын

It's like two violins playing at the same time!!! amazing!

@laurieheartsdcx 14 жыл бұрын

Love the King George Medley between them at the end. I have Natalie's version of that on CD.

@cariboubill1 10 жыл бұрын

Just amazing! And such appealing performers! ....Bill

@SteelinDan 8 жыл бұрын

Natalie is one of the best!

@jamesbockenstette4332 5 жыл бұрын

Pure entertainment. The best ever.

@filthyphil_anitsocialcorner 15 жыл бұрын

17:54-18:09 is just so good! Man i wish i could play like that

@dennismcclune9167 10 жыл бұрын

Yes Rebecca they're wonderful....

@willtro879 4 жыл бұрын

Thats just simply awesome.

@albertettinger9436 3 жыл бұрын

both MacMaster and Leahy are wonderful.

@paulinejulien9191 9 жыл бұрын

I looove folk fiddling sooo muuuch !

@jordancrago5129 9 жыл бұрын

Remarkable music!

@John..556 16 күн бұрын

Cape Breton is a beautiful place

@deansutherland3570 Жыл бұрын

She laid her hand on my shoulder yesterday in shoppers .she didn know it was me ....Patirarc ..Thats the golden haired angel !.. Solid! 100%

@fredagoulet7350 9 жыл бұрын

YES!! The best music ever!

@BigUndertaker 10 жыл бұрын

They played it like a damn fiddle!!!

@dynamiteproduction12 10 жыл бұрын

it is a fiddle

@1likestoplaymusic 10 жыл бұрын

Sure did!! Awesome!

@nathansinnott1784 10 жыл бұрын

Slooged MacTrout whoosh

@zarithevill 9 жыл бұрын

The inspections were nothing but smokescreens

@lanesutherland Жыл бұрын

Is enjoyed weekly in South Australia!

@James73890 10 жыл бұрын

Donald is a creative genius on the violin.

@poshpol 12 жыл бұрын

breathtaking performance!!!

@iraqidolphin 14 жыл бұрын

I'm going to see her next weekend. Can't wait..

@koolkat104 14 жыл бұрын

Gotta love Cape Breton!! Fantastic music~

@AndrewHennessey 11 жыл бұрын

first reel is scottish called Jenny dang the weaver

@jazzmaneast 9 жыл бұрын

Great playing. Love it!

@LOOMIS1638 11 жыл бұрын

Made my day!!! Love it!!

@Jethromcsheepherder 11 жыл бұрын

Its her other half, Donnell Leahy, also from Cape Breton and part of the group Leahy with all his siblings. You should check out the video Call to the Dance by Leahy on here..their live version is amazing.

@zacharymacnamara5363 2 жыл бұрын

Tears to my eyes

@TheFlange64 14 жыл бұрын

Makes Me proud to be a Bluenoser.. ( from Nova Scotia ) I love her music, .... I can travel the world and it reminds me of home.......

@freezor80 4 жыл бұрын

They are both so dang talented.

@tonydong96 9 жыл бұрын

this is so fun, love you guys!!!

@MrMusicguyma 4 жыл бұрын

Natalie surely has the soul of the music in her. The last tune in the initial medley "Lord MacDonald's Reel" I learn as an American Old Timey Tune "Old Molly Hare" . When I visited Galway (Salthill) in the mid-1970's I heard two buskers (banjo and accordion) across the street playing it. I asked what they called it, "The Fairy Reel". That's fiddling for you, three different names in 3 countries for one sturdy tune. :) Donnell Leahy is amazing, also. Love the story about his Mom banging out the rhythms on a board before she got her first piano. ;) And of the 11 Leahy kids fighting for time on the piano, foregoing meals to get a chance to play. Wonderful.

@padawansound 13 жыл бұрын

the raspy bow work is just genius....hang on for the pull off`s near the end ...the fiddle can be one funky ass instrument...inspired!

@James73890 10 жыл бұрын

My favourite tune!

@hippocrazy4214 4 жыл бұрын

I did sound for her back in the early 90's. She was about 17 at the time. Lovely lady. Ashley McIsaac was there too...with Duane Cote. I composed a few tunes.....and would love to find a way to get them to Natalie....see if she would concider playing them. I have not played in years.....and am no great player (mandolin).

@rubiasherry9500 10 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Love this wonderful music and this adorable couple :)

@lgcrooks 14 жыл бұрын

This is great. But, it seems like it is harder work for Natalie to play the piano than the fiddle! Look at the intensity of her trying to hit the right chords! Priceless.

@Culexable 13 жыл бұрын

One of the things I love most about seeing this kind of music preformed is the lack of sheet music.

@michaeltingle816 3 жыл бұрын

MAKE THAT 13 TIME WORLD CHAMPION FIDDLE PLAYER AND DONNELL LEAHY AS HER MATE. WHAT A DUO !!!! SHE PLAYS A MEAN PIANO TOO AND THE GAL CAN SHAKE A LEG TOO !!!!!!! I NEVER GET TIRED OF LISTENING TO NATALIE AND HER FAMILY !!!! ALWAYS A PLEASURE !!!!!! YES INDEED !!!!

@kenziecurrie1523 Жыл бұрын

My young fella was at my mom's the other day and they dug my old fiddle out of the closet. Has her autograph on it and a ticket stub from when I seen her at the imperial theater in Saint John N.B. I think around 97 or 99 ish.

@termc 15 жыл бұрын

None of the posts here reflect any awareness that these two are MARRIED---and VERY married. She had her third child with Donnell Leahy--just about two months ago. Saw her last night in Virginia, and she was talking about it. She looks great--must be cuz of all that step dancing! These two will be back there, playing together, later this season. I'll hope to catch it. Should be GREAT.