What's the difference between violin and fiddle?  The Musician's Studio host Ethan Millard talks to professional violinist Aaron Ashton.

Aaron says the difference between a fiddle and a violin is mostly in playing style.  Traditionally, fiddles had a flatter bridge that allows the performer to play two or three strings at the same time.  These days it's mostly how you approach playing the violin.  Aaron does about 50/50 classic violin style vs fiddle.

Aaron plays both Irish fiddle and Gypsy Swing.  He learned classical violin first.  His father is also a violinist.

Gypsy Swing is different from Roma.  It's the French and Belgian take on Jazz.  The US exported Jazz to Belgium and they sent it back to the US as Gypsy Swing.  

Aaron Ashton can be heard on the soundtracks of Spartacus, The Seeker, Velveteen Rabbit, and Red Dragon (Silence of the Lambs).

He has performed with Peter Cetera, William Joseph, Smokey Robinson, and Josh Groban.

He was a part of the Opening Ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and the Country Music Awards. 

His awards in clude "Outstanding Violinist" from The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the "Federation of Music Competition", and Studio Musician of the Year Pearl Award.