1. The Preliminary round is designed to allow any fiddler to compete for the right to be a Finalist in the Grand Master Fiddler Open Championship. There are no restrictions regarding age and no groupings, and they may not also compete in the Accompanist, Youth or Traditional Championship. Limited to first 30 fiddlers that check in or register ONSITE.
2. No electric instruments (except piano) and no instruments playing "lead" will be permitted. Fiddler may use up to 4 accompanying instruments. Any stringed instrument or piano is acceptable.
3. Trick fiddling or show tunes are discouraged. "Double shuffle" is acceptable.
4. Rags will not be accepted as a breakdown.
5. “Limerock” will not be accepted as a Breakdown.
6. “Ragtime Annie” will be considered as a Breakdown.
7. The fiddler must play a Breakdown and a Waltz, IN THAT ORDER. HOWEVER - if time is short, the waltz will be cut. Fiddler must give their tune(s), in order of play, to the M.C. to announce.
8. The top five scoring contestants will be selected to compete in the Finals. Based upon time, more than five finalists may be selected to compete in the Championship round.) played. Special note: the charter of the Grand Master Fiddler Championship, Inc. 501 (c)(3) organization is to promote and educate about fiddling. With this in mind, several more contestants may be chosen by the judging committee to compete based on the support toward our educational goals and these are not necessarily chosen based on scoring.
9. Failure to play the tunes in the correct order, playing the incorrect type of tune will result in a 30-point deduction from the total score.
10. There is a 6 MINUTE Guideline - this is not a set time limit - but excessively going over this limit can result in a 30-point deduction.
11. Contestants should be ready to compete when called to the stage. Contestants will be required 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. Violation of this rule will result in a 30-point deduction.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Upon contestant registration, all commercial recording, photo, and video rights during the contest are reserved and shall become the property of the Grand Master Fiddler Championship.

Last revised: NOV 3, 2025