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Hi Casey, any idea when Hanneke will be back in to do some more recordings? I’d like to see a mix of what she did the first time….some traditional tunes, some of hers, some Cape Breton tunes, etc.

Update – Megan’s first session for the project will be end of July/beginning of Aug this year. Excited to get her onboard!

Here’s a recent article on Megan from Strings Magazine: https://stringsmagazine.com/keep-connected-with-fiddler-and-educator-megan-lynch-chowning/

Cheers!
C

Hi, Thistle. Good stuff. You won’t regret learning to play by ear. You’ll always have the ability to read sheet music, and that’s an entirely separate, valuable skill. But you’ll be amazed at what happens when you start listening and creating music with people around you who are doing the same thing. Don’t be afraid to listen to what your…[Read more]

Got a request too-

Terhen, by Frigg

spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/track/3LHcOgqESXTjGcFllginOC?si=aca0cc969e2c4fa7

I’m not even sure what fiddle tradition /culture it belongs to, but Frigg appears to be a Finnish folk band.

Funny because, for us classicals, the transcribed notes are gospel that we do not dare to alter. ( Or, if we alter it, it’s with a lot of deep discussion of history and what the composer intended. 🙂 I’m going to have to figure out have to loosen up my mindset!

In the past few years I also dared to go to a few sessions at a pub, and everybody…[Read more]

Bumping this thread up to see if anyone has any more requests for the latest instructor to be added to the Fiddlevideo website. I spoke with Megan a couple of days ago, and we’re sorting out times/schedules. Looks like she may visit the Fiddlevideo studios in late July of this year…

You seem to already know the notes and intervals, so my suggestion is to listen to the different styles of playing for getting cadence and rhythm. Each trad musician has her/his own style and well and being immersed in a particular genre.

Even for non-trad music, like ska or reggae or rock or swing, still listen and note the rhythm and how it is…[Read more]

Very cool on both counts, Rob. I’ve never heard of a clog fiddle before, but there’s a ton I don’t know about the fiddling that goes on in that neck of the woods. Have you checked out the Vasen Nyckelharpa player? Awesome stuff.

Thank you for the encouragement, Rob!

On sheet music – I totally agree! I’ve got a book of fiddle tunes but they are never charming when just played straight from the page. When you hear them played, is when they really come alive.

On having fun – thanks, was excited to find this site! I live in a small town where the nearest Session is a long…[Read more]

Thanks Lisa! I’m going to check out the people you mentioned! 🙂

Yea, I know what you mean about how it’s easier to play folk on another instrument instead of the one you trained in…
Like, I can copy the phrase out of the video nicely when following along, but then two days later when I play the tune myself from memory, then it’s back to…[Read more]

Do you ever listen to Rachel Barton Pine? She seems to be amazingly versatile — even dipping into metallica, I think. Really great question and I’m also interested in hearing perspectives. I got interested in Mark O’Connor and learning about his teaching methods for this very reason. I wish there were courses offered online versus singleton…[Read more]

Martin Wynne (Kevin Burke video) – love it!