FIDDLE CATEGORIES

1. Competitors in this competition must compete in their age category. No fiddler will be allowed more than 4 accompanying instruments. Fiddle-Off will consist of the first-place winners of the fiddle categories.

2. Songs that will not be allowed are: "Mockingbird", "Black Mountain Rag” and "Orange Blossom Special". No Trick fiddling or show tunes. Note: "double shuffle" is acceptable if it is a traditional part of the song.

3. In the age division, each fiddler must play a breakdown and a waltz - IN THAT ORDER. In the Fiddle Off, each fiddler must play a breakdown, a waltz, and a tune of their choice IN THAT ORDER. The tune of the fiddler’s choice MAY BE another breakdown or waltz. Each fiddler must be prepared to give their tunes, in order of performance, to the Contestant Coordinator who will have the M.C. announce the numbers. Failure to play the tunes in the correct order or playing the incorrect type of tune will result in a 30-point deduction from the total score.

4. All GENERAL Rules Also Apply.

DANCING CATEGORIES 

1. Open dancing - no holds barred, all ages.

2. Contestants must perform a recognizable dance style in the opinion of the judges. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.

3. Contestants must dance solo with NO assistance from another person or device. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.

4. Shoes must be worn.

5. All GENERAL Rules Also Apply.

FLATPICK GUITAR, MANDOLIN, BLUEGRASS BANJO, OLD-TIME BANJO, OLD-TIME SINGING, & DULCIMER CATEGORIES 

1. Registration is accepted up until the number for playing order of the category are drawn - after which no more registrations for that category will be accepted (NO EXCEPTIONS). No one can compete without a signed registration form.

2. THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT - play as long as the tune requires, there is no need to cut your tune short. However excessively long renditions can result in lost points.

3. No electric instruments and no instruments playing "lead" will be permitted. Any stringed instrument is acceptable as backup. No vocals are allowed except in the old Time Singing category.

4. Contestants should be ready to compete when called to the stage. Contestants should be prepared to begin their first tune within 30 seconds from the time they are announced to the judges. Consideration will be given for broken strings, switching instruments, etc. Excessive time spent or flagrant violation of this rule COULD result in loss of 30 points and/or disqualification at the Contest Director’s discretion.

5. In the event a contestant breaks a string, they will be allowed to restart their tune. If they continue, the tune will be scored as is. If their accompanist breaks a string, the contestant has 30 seconds to decide whether to stop and restart the tune or continue. Any stoppage after this 30 second grace period will result in the tune being scored as is.

6. The decision of the judges is FINAL. Any contestant or accompanist who harasses threatens or verbally abuses a judge or contest official will first be warned and next be expelled from the contest for the current and next year.

7. Upon contestant registration, all commercial recording, photo, and video rights during the contest are reserved and shall become the property of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

ALL CATEGORIES

1. No more than 2 accompanying instruments.

2. Each category will perform two tunes. No tunes are banned.

3. If time is short, only one tune will be performed.

4. Specific restrictions:

a. Bluegrass Banjo Bluegrass style is required; old-time or jazz will result in lost points. Five (5) string banjo only. Use of "Scruggs/Keith tuners" IS permitted.

b. Flatpick Guitar Flatpick style is required; fingerpicking is discouraged and will result in lost points.

c. Old-Time Banjo Old-time style is required - for example: Clawhammer, Drop Thumb, two-finger, etc. Five (5) string banjo only; Fretless fingerboard and various tunings are permitted. Use of "Scruggs/Keith tuners", finger picks, or flat picks ARE NOT permitted.

d. Dulcimer Appalachian or mountain style lap dulcimers only; Hammered Dulcimers are NOT permitted. Instrument may be strummed, flat-picked or finger-picked.

e. Old-Time Singing Contestant will perform ONE (1) song only. Songs should be in the old-time style - modern, bluegrass, or other non-traditional styles are discouraged and will result in lost points. Contestant may perform solo; if accompanists are used, they should not overshadow the singer and lead or “breaks’ are NOT permitted and will result in lost points.

5. All GENERAL Rules Also Apply.

GENERAL 

1. Registration is accepted up until the number for playing order of the category are drawn - after which no more registrations for that category will be accepted (NO EXCEPTIONS). No one can compete without a signed registration form.

2. THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT - play as long as the tune requires, there is no need to cut your tune short. However excessively long renditions can result in lost points.

3. No electric instruments and no instruments playing "lead" will be permitted. Any stringed instrument is acceptable as backup. No vocals are allowed except in the old Time Singing category.

4. Contestants should be ready to compete when called to the stage. Contestants should be prepared to begin their first tune within 30 seconds from the time they are announced to the judges. Consideration will be given for broken strings, switching instruments, etc. Excessive time spent or flagrant violation of this rule COULD result in loss of 30 points and/or disqualification at the Contest Director’s discretion.

5. In the event a contestant breaks a string, they will be allowed to restart their tune. If they continue, the tune will be scored as is. If their accompanist breaks a string, the contestant has 30 seconds to decide whether to stop and restart the tune or continue. Any stoppage after this 30 second grace period will result in the tune being scored as is.

6. The decision of the judges is FINAL. Any contestant or accompanist who harasses threatens or verbally abuses a judge or contest official will first be warned and next be expelled from the contest for the current and next year.

7. Upon contestant registration, all commercial recording, photo, and video rights during the contest