Fiddlosophy

Practice Notes – October 22, 2018

Trying out something new with this post. I’m going to share a few things I’m currently practicing. Stuff that I’m struggling with, stuff that I’m enjoying. In case you haven’t heard, this post comes in the middle of the Fall Practice Challenge 2018. Today is day 8. For fourteen days, fiddlers around the world will play every … Continued

Practice challenge notes – day two

Today is day 2 of the 14-day practice challenge. This is one way for you to establish music practice in your life. Would you like to be a musician? If so, then just play music every day! That’s what this is all about. It’s not too late to take part. Click here to go to … Continued

A simple tip for getting better sound

I want to offer a simple tip for getting good sound on the fiddle. The simple tip Start by playing an open string. In the video example, I play an open G string with a G drone. Focus on a simple, good sound. Become aware of your breath. Is it happening naturally or is it … Continued

Foxhunter’s Jig – Fiddle Raga

Here’s a fiddle raga performance of Foxhunter’s Jig. If you like this track then download and listen to it while you walk the dog or do the dishes… It’s an improvisation based around a fiddle melody accompanied by a drone. It’s a term I’ve coined as I’ve explored folk fiddling and Hindustani Indian music. What … Continued

Play every day, be a musician

Hey Folks, I’m leading a practice challenge from October 15-28. The main goal, as usual, is simply to play every day. This time, we will emphasize finding joy in your sound. For those of you who sign up, I’ll be sending check-in emails with cheerleading, short lessons, exercises and prompts to get you to slow … Continued

Foxhunter’s Basic and Variation Performance

Here’s a short performance of an Irish tune called Foxhunter’s (slip jig). I play a very simple version and then play a version with some variation added. And here’s an mp3 for your listening pleasure: A bit from the A part of the second quarter keeps reminding me of the theme to the movie Chariots … Continued

Kerfunken Fiddle Raga

Here’s a fiddle raga performance of Kerfunken Jig. If you like this track and you can download and listen to it while you walk the dog:  What is a “fiddle raga”? It’s an improvisation based around a fiddle melody accompanied by a “drone”. What is a raga? Super-simple answer: it’s an Indian musical form in … Continued

Kerfunken Jig Basic and Variation – Performance

Here’s a short performance of an Irish tune called Kerfunken Jig. I play a very simple version and then play two variation versions. This first variation adds cuts, the second adds rolls. Both variations are taught in the Irish Fiddle Variation course. Click the arrow if you’d like to download and listen on your device while … Continued

Play It Casual

What do you do when you realize you’re struggling? Do you keep pounding away at that challenging thing? Or do you change your approach? In this post, I suggest a practice called “Play it casual” which will help you to let go of mental obstacles so you can focus on the task at hand: learning and … Continued

New lesson added: Fortnite Dance “Best Mates”

Here is a lesson on how to play the melody for a Fortnite dance called Best Mates” on violin and fiddle. This is a catchy tune, maybe a bit too catchy! Don’t listen to it before bed. Click here to go to the lesson page.