Fiddlosophy

You can have hours of fun by improvising with pentatonic scales and drone notes. Learning Steps Play an E Minor Pentatonic scale with an E drone: E Minor Pentatonic: D1-3-A0-1-3-E0 Now Chain the notes at random until you find something that resonates.  A1-3-E0-A1-3-0-1 Feel free to repeat notes, change their length or add rhythms… A1-3-E0-0-A1-3-3-0-1-1-1-1-0 … Continued

I’m currently practicing singing and playing backup on songs like Wildflowers (Tom Petty), Don’t Think Twice (Dylan) and others. I started voice lessons and have worked a vocal warmup routine into my sessions. I also just learned a great tune called Redican’s Trip To Appalachia. What are you working on? Let us know in a … Continued

In this episode of the Fiddlosophy podcast I’ll talk about my current learning project: arranging songs for fiddle and voice with the goal of making a recording. Here’s a fiddle and vocal version of a Taylor Swift song called “Out Of The Woods.”   I arranged it for fiddle based on the version by Ryan … Continued

Overview Did you know that you can use audio recording to get immediate feedback on your performance? Not only that, but you can use it as a practice journal and to track your progress. I’ve done different lessons on recording, practice journaling, and progress tracking. But it recently dawned on me that there’s an easier, … Continued

Overview Welcome to the first episode of the Fiddlosophy podcast. I’ll tell stories and dad jokes as we explore fiddling, learning music and philosophy. In today’s episode, I’ll talk about learning tunes from recordings. Doing this on a road trip in search of the soul of American Music with one of my best friends and … Continued

Overview  If you sing what you play you’ll become a better musician every day. We’ll use this powerful (and fun) strategy to practice Leave Her Johnny, Leave Her. Overview  If you sing what you play you’ll become a better musician every day. Learning Steps  Here’s how you do it  Sing the first word of this song, … Continued

Overview  In this micro-lesson you’ll learn how to add the Tresillo Rhythm (3+3+2) to Fire On The Mountain. Learning Steps  Start by clapping or chanting the rhythm Then play it on a single string Slowly play it on A Major scale: A0-1-2-3-E0-1-2-3  Then add this bowing pattern: Slur Three-Slur Three-Separate 2.  Add Accents. Slowly play … Continued

Overview Learn this great song in a super short lesson 🤓 Verse 1st line: (D0-0)-G0-2-D0-0-3-2 | D1-0-G2-G0 2nd line: G1-1-1-0-2-D0-0 3rd line: (D0-0)-1-1-0-G2-3-D0-G2 4th line: (G0-1)-2-D0-0-G0-1-0 Chorus 1st line: G1-1-1-0-2-D0-0 2nd line: D3-2-1-1-1-0-G2-D0 3rd line: (D0-0)-1-1-0-G2-3-D0-G2 4th line: (G0-1)-G2-D0-0-G0-1-0   Further learning Leave Her Johnny, Leave Her / This is a deep dive workshop. You’ll … Continued

 Overview If you want to play a song faster, start by speeding up a small chunk. We’ll practice with a key riff from “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” Learning Steps In the video I’m speeding up by 10 bpm each repetition. However I recommend more like 3-5 bpm for students. You want to … Continued

Overview In this journey you’ll add variation and expression to “When The Saints Go Marching In.” Main takeaways Practice adding variation to single notes and scales before trying on songs. Add a single variation or expression idea to one Chunk of the song. Alternate between the basic and variation versions. Approach learning with an improvisational … Continued