Fiddler’s Reel

Fiddler’s Reel is one of the signature original compositions of legendary North Carolina fiddler Benton Flippen (1920-2011), representing the pinnacle of the Round Peak style that emerged from Surry County, North Carolina. This tune exemplifies the distinctive characteristics that made Flippen one of the most celebrated old-time fiddlers of his generation, featuring his innovative fingering techniques and rhythmic bowing style that earned him seven victories at the prestigious Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, Virginia. Flippen composed this tune as part of his renowned repertoire that also includes “Benton’s Dream,” “Sally in the Turnip Patch,” and “Smokey Valley Breakdown.” The tune is set in D major with standard tuning and follows an AA’BB’ structure typical of old-time fiddle music. What makes this tune particularly special is Flippen’s unique approach to fiddling – having rather large hands, he developed a distinctive technique of sliding his index and middle fingers rather than using all four fingers like most fiddlers. This created a smooth, heavily shuffled bowing style that was perfected over years of playing for square dances throughout Appalachian communities. The tune was first recorded by Flippen with his band the Smokey Valley Boys on Rounder Records LP 0029 in 1973, helping to preserve and popularize this masterpiece of American fiddle music. The Smokey Valley Boys, active from the 1970s until disbanding in 1985, were instrumental in documenting Flippen’s innovative musical contributions during the height of the old-time music revival. Though it appears in folklorist Vance Randolph’s 1954 list of traditional Ozarks Mountains fiddle tunes, the version most modern fiddlers know comes directly from Flippen’s interpretation.