In this library of the call-and-response exercises, you’ll hear something, and then there will be a space for you to play the same thing. This will help you in the following ways:

  • Play better in tune
  • Remember melodies more easily
  • Develop the ability to hear yourself and other instruments
  • Hear music in your head (audiation)
    • This allows you to move from thinking to playing
    • You’ll be a more creative musician

At the bottom of the page there’s a brief lesson on how you can improve your tuning and practice creatively with these exercises.


Call-and-response games

In these progressive call-and-response exercises, I’ll play something and then leave a space for you to play the same thing. Try to get in the mindset of a little kid playing a game of Simon and having fun.


Mystery tune lessons

In these hour-long live lessons, you’ll learn an entire tune with call-and-response. You can use sheet music, tabs and audio to help you if you get stuck.


Tuning exercises

These exercises are shorter and more repetitive than the ones above. They are more focused on helping you to play specific notes in tune.

D string


A string


E string


G string


Practice variations

  • Play throughout the exercise. Listen to the recorded fiddle when you hear that, listen to just yourself in the space.
  • Add rhythmic variations to the exercise.
  • Alternate between listening and singing.
  • Alternate between listening and audiating.
  • Alternate between playing and audiating.
    • “Audiation” is the practice of hearing music in your head.
  • Alternate between singing and audiating.

Here’s a brief lesson on how to practice with the tuning exercises:


Further learning

These lessons explore other ways to use the call-and-response process.


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