On practicing
August 31, 2021
Fall is the perfect time to renew your commitment to your instrument. … More On practicing
Category: Instructional
Stop, Look and Listen
February 28, 2021
In the last 14 weeks I’ve been diligent about either learning new tunes or dusting off old ones. I can’t say whether or not I am actually sounding better, but I can say I’m listening better. I’m listening to myself and listening to others with a keen ear. And I’m noticing things I’ve never noticed … More Stop, Look and Listen
Podcast: Learning Tunes By Ear
February 25, 2021
Traditional music has been passed down by ear from generation to generation. It’s one the reasons I love this music. It’s like a secret that get’s passed from one person to the other. It’s a story that your parents heard from their parents, they pass it along to you and you pass it along to … More Podcast: Learning Tunes By Ear
Repetition is the name of the game
January 23, 2021
Aside from learning a tune a week, I have been taking a harmony singing class from Old Town School of Folk Music. Singing harmony has always been a challenge for me. I learn the harmony but then when someone starts singing the melody, my part becomes more of a hybrid of the melody and harmony … More Repetition is the name of the game
Music that Make the Dancers Dance
December 6, 2020
Learning tunes is the easy part. Giving them life is the challenge. Read more on how to give life to your music. … More Music that Make the Dancers Dance
Take hold of the bow
May 19, 2020
One of the hardest things about playing fiddle is mastering the bow. Finding the notes is the easy part, making them sound good is what makes it music. … More Take hold of the bow
Nollaig na mBan – Women’s Christmas
January 6, 2020
Today is January 6, the final day of the 12 days Christmas. In Ireland, this day is known as Nollaig na mBan or women’s Chrismas. The day was intended to be a reward, a day off from all the housework the women did during the Christmas season. Traditionally men were supposed to take over the … More Nollaig na mBan – Women’s Christmas
House concert and fiddle workshop
November 14, 2019
In Vermont, we’re so lucky to have some amazing musicians that reside here. We’re even luckier sometimes because their amazing musician friends visit them and offer concerts and workshops. This weekend is one of those times. On Sunday, November 17, Cape Breton’s, Andrea Beaton, and Quebec’s, Véronique Plasse will be in town giving a workshop … More House concert and fiddle workshop
School is back in session
September 16, 2019
As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, I somehow get nostalgic and long for the days of going back to school. Though I can’t imagine going back full time, taking out student loans again, focusing every moment on studying, doing homework and taking tests, I can imagine, pushing myself to learn something … More School is back in session
One tune, one million ways to play it
August 5, 2019
Many years ago I was lucky enough to head to Cape Breton for a week with a group of musicians from Vermont and study with the late Jerry Holland. We were there with a mix of children and adult musicians and learned some great tunes from the master himself. I remember listening to one of … More One tune, one million ways to play it
Session Obsession 