It's absolutely critical to have a teacher who is passionate about traditional music in order to learn how to play the fiddle well.
Why is it important to learn from a teacher?
If you learn from a teacher who is not passionate about traditional music you will not have the best, most thorough education in music. A teacher that is passionate about traditional music will expose you to every type of traditional music you can imagine. They will make you work hard to master every type of traditional music and in this way they will push you to be the best fiddle player you can possibly be. A teacher who is passionate about traditional music will also use a wide variety of different teaching styles and will not be afraid to go over your head a bit. A teacher who is not passionate about traditional music will not make you work hard enough to master the fiddle.
What makes a good fiddle teacher?
They must: Respect and encourage you. Respect and encourage you in the same way that they would encourage their own children. Treat you as an artist and a person. Encourage you to develop your own personal voice, a signature sound and unique style of playing. They must be skilled at explaining music in a manner that you can understand and internalize. They must also understand that a person can learn to play the fiddle for many reasons, and no one is right all of the time. Fiddle lessons must be taught in a way that reflects the different levels of musicianship that each student has, so students of different skill levels will learn differently. Finally, a good fiddle teacher does not place a high value on one particular style of playing over another.
Where do I find a good teacher?
The first place you should look for a teacher is on online websites that allow you to book lessons, such as lessons.com From there, you can usually book a lesson or two and take your pick from among the teachers listed. They may not necessarily be your teacher of choice, but if you find a teacher who sounds good to you, you're looking in the right place. In some cases, the teachers may require payment before they start teaching, but you can always try to find a free teacher first. When should I take lessons? It's a good idea to take lessons as soon as you can. Ideally, you want to be able to play a piece and have the teacher give you pointers. As soon as you've taken a few lessons, you'll be a lot closer to playing smoothly. Some people believe it's best to play less and learn more.
What are the best resources for learning how to play?
There are many fantastic books available on this topic. The Complete Fiddler's Companion by Tony Trischka is one of the most popular. There is an old tunebook called "Dagger Days" which was published in 1999. It has over one hundred tunes, including "John Henry" and "Dixie Land." And I've also heard good things about "The Lost Fiddler" by Jim Stuckey. Finding a teacher who teaches "traditional music" is essential to success. Here are a few suggestions about teachers for learning the fiddle: 1. Enthusiastic Fiddle Player - Find a close friend, classmate, or family member who plays traditional music and who has been teaching for many years. A good teacher will want to practice with you. This person may be a younger family member, a friend you have known for years, or a schoolmate.
When you've mastered the traditional music styles, you'll have a better understanding of the fiddle, what it's capable of, and its unique tone. You'll also be able to identify the differences between the styles, as well as how they sound and play so that you'll get an overall appreciation of the fiddle itself. Our Free Complete Beginner Fiddle Course is packed with a wealth of tips, tricks, and knowledge to help you play the fiddle. Click here for more information on our premier beginner fiddle course.