Activity

Casey,

Mikael Marin from Väsen

Ola Bäckström or Carina Normansson from Swåp

Anna Lindblad

Just some ideas worth checking into.

Cool, Blossom 👍🏻👍🏻

Yep, I may have to do some studying and work up my chopping….what a cool technique, and I am truly a beginner in this area!!

Cool also on the bodhran thing as well….I was really intrigued by Niall’s backup tracks for Sporting Paddy…his bodhran work is really nice…more backing tracks from Niall on some (not all) of h…[Read more]

Thx for the feedback, Ringlets.

Yep – we’re always looking at ways to improve the site…glad to hear you find value in the guitar tracks. I use them myself when I’m practicing to clear off the mental cobwebs. 👍🏻👍🏻

Fiddle on! More tunes/lessons in the works!

C

Howdy, Khelms.

I admit I’m a bit under the rock when it comes to Scandinavian fiddlers…Hanneke has mentioned a few times that this area of the world has a strong fiddle community/style….

Who should I be listening to? Who are the drivers in this genera?? Any suggestions on artists I should consider for addition to the FV instruction t…[Read more]

One thing I really DO like is the inclusion of the guitar accompaniment to play along with. I have a tendency to rely on the instructor recording as a crutch. Then when I step away from the computer, realise that I don’t know the piece as well as I thought. Having only a rhythmic accompaniment forces me to be solid with the melody.

I think…[Read more]

Hi, PCviola.

I can recall Hanneke talking about a reverse waterfall a couple of times in tune tutorials…she doesn’t cover that in the waterfall technique lesson, but occasionally she will adapt that technique to end up on a different note.

You might run into folks who would consider that non-Trad, but Scottish fiddling is still a living l…[Read more]

Hi, Daross. I’ll have to check that tune out…do you have a favorite version you could share?

Hi, Daross…

I used to rosin once to twice a week when I was playing shows daily…these days, I don’t play much, so I don’t rosin much…if your playing a couple of hours a day, you’ll find that your rosin will need to be refreshed fairly frequently.

My rule of thumb – soft/wispy tone means I should re-apply (this is also a good indic…[Read more]

Hi Roland. Nice to know Casey uses Prim. About 15 years I talked to Byron Berline and said he used Prim strings for his fiddle. That’s two reputable recommendations for Prim. I have seen where other fiddlers have recommended them, but I have never tried them. Maybe someday…?

I found this on Kevin’s website: http://www.kevinburke.com/tools-of-the-trade/

But up to a certain level, I suspect that it’s the player, not the tools, that makes the music sound so good. *sigh

I’m also wondering how much rosin one should use and how often to use it.

I’d like to learn Blue Violet Breakdown (composed by Earl Mitton) and Lord Alexander’s Reel.

Thanks for the kind words…

Yeah – the combination of an up-close view of the left hand & the ability to slow down/loop sections of videos makes for a really helpful learning environment…I just wish I had all these tools when I was learning fiddle.

Back then, cutting edge tech was the ability to slow a cassette tape down to half speed……[Read more]

I also wanted to add that I love the slower downer you’ve added. Def a huge help navigating the tricky bits! <3

Hi, Ringlets. Yep. Really good point.

When I started this project several years back, I thought that darker cloths would fit better with the overall site design…but you’re right…the contrast makes it difficult to pick out arm position. We’ve now started mixing things up with more lighter/mid-toned shirts for the instructors when they…[Read more]

That was a delight, Steve. Thanks for sharing the video! 😀

Heya, Casey

Thanks so much for the site – I’m really enjoying it.

Would it be possible for the instructors to wear a colour that doesn’t melt into the background? Hanneke is bare armed and Keven tends to wear lighter clothing, but Niall and Patti wear a lot of black and it’s difficult to see arm position, which is something I’m still…[Read more]