ShadeTree - Posted - 11/29/2017:  15:26:44

Hello to everyone! I was curious if anyone had any suggestions in recommending online fiddle lessons related to Bluegrass. I have been playing the fiddle for about 4 years, took live beginner lessons for 1 1/2 years and can read notation. The group of guys which I play with are in their 60's and have been playing together since they were toddlers it seems. An individual will start picking and the others simply join in without anyone mentioning the name of the tune. Nearly everyone in the group is related to each other in some manner, and they know a ton of songs. With them, I am a second row guitar player. Long story short, they need a fiddle player. They pick fiddle tunes on a mandolin, banjo, or guitar at Bluegrass speeds. I may never get to their level of musicianship, but it will be fun to try. One can only get better. The nearest live, true, fiddle teacher I have been able to locate is 45 miles away. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions toward this endeavor, I would be pleased to hear from you.

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 11/29/2017:  15:56:47

Well .... there are several learn from video services and sites. Peghead Nation, Bluegrass Daddy advertises on this site, YouTube has several people with sites on their server Ian Walsh , and many others you can buy lessons one at a time or pay a monthly rate. . You can also take private lessons over the internet using a SKYPE connection. Check out teacher availability under the Learn button at the top left of this page. Luck R/

ChickenMan - Posted - 11/29/2017:  16:09:48

45 miles is not really far to drive for lessons, if they are focused on your goal.  

If these guys can tear it up, I’d first ask how ‘good’ do you think you are with the non bluegrass fiddling you’ve been doing? Do you / can you tear it up? I can burn through a fiddle tune with ease, AND I play at bluegrass with some pretty good pickers, but I’ve always maintained that I’m an old time fiddler pretending to play bluegrass because I’m not dedicated to that genre enough to put in the time to learn the library of licks that everyone draws from. I can pick mandolin too and actually have put in the time on it (yet another reason I know I personally haven’t committed as a fiddler). What I’m getting at, finally, is if you want to hang with the gang, give it your all because it is not easy.

No matter what, based on my experience at many different jams, they will appreciate the effort and addition of a less than perfect fiddle because there just aren’t enough to go around. You could probably join in now if they’re a friendly bunch!

ShadeTree - Posted - 11/29/2017:  16:44:31

Richard, Billy, thank you for your comments. They are very appreciated. Having never taken online fiddle lessons nor Skype lessons, I was not sure if one was somewhat better than others. And while 45 miles one-way is not too far to drive to reach one's goal, I'm just trying to weigh all options. The drive and dedication to learn is certainly there. Thanks!

ChickenMan - Posted - 11/29/2017:  17:11:33

I think there is a bluegrass man here who took lessons from Darol Anger and had lots of good thing to say about it. Mark S. from Seattle.

artistworks.com/fiddle-lessons-darol-anger

there’s the link. 

I messaged Mark, he’ll have more to add.

ShadeTree - Posted - 11/29/2017:  19:05:55

Thank you, Billy. First hand knowledge is usually the best. I appreciate your thoughts and efforts!

farmerjones - Posted - 11/30/2017:  06:52:50

It's just a matter of letting the fiddle growing onto your arm. In other words, I've had 3 or 4 live lessons, and would recommend more. It would certainly shorten the path. But it's still about picking it up every day. 5 tunes turn into 10 tunes, that turn into 20 tune, etc. Those guitar strings may get rusty. Fiddles are a jealous mistress.

Dick Hauser - Posted - 11/30/2017:  07:06:39

IMHO, many instructional teach someone how to play a tune, not to play a style. If you want to understand HOW to play tunes in a specific style, tunes have to be "broken down", and the various techniques must be taught. And, a person has to be taught how to apply what they have learned. In an effective instructional, what the tune teaches you is more important than the tune itself. Learn how a style works and you can play a tune in that style.

Over the years I have purchased shelves full of videos and books. For learning to play bluegrass style, I recommend the book/CDs "Learning To Fiddle Bluegrass Style" by Neil Rossi. This is NOT a bluegrass repertoire book. It is designed specifically to teach someone who can read musical notation how to play this fiddling style.

The author performs and teaches. This book probably evolved from his teaching program. So the books have been used by students and updated. This book has a "hair" less than 200 pages of instruction. Here are the chapters -

1 Basics
2 Bowing Patterns
3 Fragments - Buildings Riffs and Fills
4 Constructing Breaks - Finding a Tune's Signature
5 Slides
6 Double Stops
7 "Leaving Home" - Getting Out Of The First Position
8 Putting the "blues" in bluegrass
9 Third Position
10 Playing Harmony
11 Non-Melodic Breaks
12 Starting To Improvise

Unlike many books currently sold, the book has a complete index. I am in no way connected with the author or publisher. I am just a retiree who likes playing music and am willing to help another amateur musician. One word of warning. This book is for someone who is willing to study and learn to understand and apply the material. It is NOT a "follow my fingers book". It explains how the music works and how it is applied. You must read, think, and work. If you just want to learn to play tunes, there are musical repertoire books that will accomplish this. But, this is the best instructional I have come across for learning HOW to play bluegrass music.

If you need any more help or information, send me an email -
Dick Hauser

fiddlinsteudel - Posted - 11/30/2017:  11:26:42

I'm a BIIG fan of the ArtistWorks stuff. I've taken a years worth of lessons with Darol Anger and he certainly helped out a lot. Though having also taken a lot of in person fiddle lessons in my life, I would certainly advocate that first over online stuff. But if in person is not an option then online it is.

Couple of things that I really like about artist works:
1. There's definitely a well thought out syllabus that builds upon each lesson. While I LOVE Ian Walsh, he's more about building repertoire than learning to play. Peghead and Bluegrass Daddy seem (from my little experience) to be more of a mix of learning to play and building repertoire.
2. The big thing in my opinion that sets apart artistworks form others is the built in feedback system. You submit videos to Darol and then he sends you a video back, then you can submit another video and he'll submit another in response.
3. Good or bad all the video exchanges are available to other students. So you get to peruse other people's videos and learn from Darol's reply. This is almost as instructional as your own videos.
4. One bummer that I've noticed is that over time they have changed the number of videos you can submit based on the plan you buy, it used to be unlimited no matter what plan you were on. Now its 3 months you can submit 5, 6 months - 12-25, Unlimited for a year.
5. A side benefit is that I got to hang with Darol anger a little when he came to town since he knew who I was through AW.

If you are looking for cool free repatoire site that includes sheetmusic for all the solos and lots of great backing tracks this site is free now:
bluegrasscollege.org/

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
Mark

ShadeTree - Posted - 11/30/2017:  14:24:29

Dick and Mark, Thank you for your thoughts and comments. Dick, I was not familiar with the Neil Rossi book and CD. Wow! Thank you for the list of chapters as this is the type of instructional book that I have been searching which teaches the HOW factor. I fully understand the read, think, and work element. I'm there. The instructional book you suggested will be on may desk in short order (not in the bookcase).

Mark, I agree with you that in-person instruction is the best. Having a regimented, step-by-step guidance will significantly improve consistent practice time for most individuals. Corrections are made "at the moment", which can lessen the beginning of a bad habit or a misunderstanding of material. Darol Anger's name seems to always appear with positive accolades. Should music lessons with an in-person fiddle instructor prove not to be viable (I have a crazy work schedule) I will most likely give Darol an initial three month try. Also, I appreciate you sharing the bluegrasscollege.org website. I am very impressed with its contents.

Dick and Mark, Thank you again for your detailed replies. First-hand knowledge is always the best, and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share.



Best Wishes and Stay In-Tune!

Dale

Edited by - ShadeTree on 11/30/2017 14:25:59

fiddlinsteudel - Posted - 11/30/2017:  15:47:21

One other option that I have not personally tried but I think lots of people do is skype lessons. Something else to think about.

The other thing about Darol is that he has played a LOT of different styles with so many greats so he gets the whole Bluegrass thing. He also is teaching at Berkley College of music, so I think he has a lot of experience teaching. Just my 1 cent.

danraster - Posted - 12/01/2017:  17:43:55

I’ve been taking Darol Anger’s fiddle lessons on Artistsworks for the last year. I highly recommend them. I think he covers just about everything from the basics to some advanced techniques and concepts. You can look through his lessons without joining to get an idea of his approach. He has lessons on 3 levels. He offers a section on jazz and blues fiddle as well. IMPORTANT: On Christmas Eve, on that day only, you can sign up for a year of lessons for 50% off! It’s worth waiting for.

Dan H