Fiddlosophy

The Goal of a Good Process

It’s no wonder I flunked out of that life coaching course 🙂 There are lots of ways to think of goals. But ask yourself, what are they for? If you reach the goal you have some gratification. But that doesn’t last too long. Then it’s time for a new goal. Always working towards a point … Continued

Fiddling On The Golf Course

Dan McLaughlin was 31 years old when he decided to quit his job and become a professional golfer. Minor detail: he didn’t really know how to play golf yet. And what does that have to do with learning the fiddle? It means that you if you play every day with focused deliberate practice, you can … Continued

Developing Confidence

It’s important to develop a sense of confidence in what you can do on your instrument. If you’re always doubting what you are doing, this very doubt becomes an obstacle to playing well. But how do you do that? Maybe if you just say “I am good at the fiddle” a hundred times a day … Continued

What Is The WORST Part Of Being A Musician?

Most of the difficult things about being a musician involve touring. For instance, I could point to the horrible flatulence that emanates from the bodies of my bandmates after they’ve loaded up on corndogs, cheetos and chocolate milk (my own farts smell like warm apple pie). Add to that the fact that our tour manager … Continued

Just Play It

Before FiddleHed took over my life in the best possible way, I was studying piano and learning from a book called Re-introduction Etudes by Chilly Gonzales. It’s a great book with lots of insight into how music works along with pieces to learn and practice. Usually at the top of a classical music piece there … Continued

What Is The Best Part Of Being A Musician?

At the risk of sounding like a hippie, I’d say the best part about being a musician is the experience of pure generosity, and of realizing connection to people through this generosity. It’s generous because the universe has given me music and I’m giving it right back. There’s no thought of “should” involved. I should … Continued

Gonzervatory Story

An Opportunity This morning I submitted an application to a master class called “The Gonzervatory”. It will be taught by the great pianist and producer Chilly Gonzales next April. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun, and along the way I had some new insights into what I want to do … Continued

It’s Never Too Late To Start

Myth: I’m too old to learn how to play an instrument. Maybe you don’t need to hear this, because you’ve already proved it wrong! But there might come a day when you feel discouraged. Then you will need to remember: You are a musician if you play every day. The practice of music is not … Continued

Old Is The New New

Sometimes at fiddle jams I hear people say things like “I’m so sick of Kesh Jig. It’s totally been played out.” Maybe they just need a break from hearing and playing a particular melody. But tunes like Kesh Jig or Old Joe Clarke have been played a lot for a reason: they are great tunes. … Continued

Should I Find A Teacher?

If you want to get better at the fiddle or whatever skill you are learning, then you should find a good teacher if possible. A good teacher will: Point out your weaknesses and create exercises for you to work on those things. Get you to play slower. Correct your form. Motivate you to practice. Teach … Continued