About the Business
I originally learnt the basics of the violin when I was a boy but because, in my wisdom, at the tender age of fourteen, I saw myself more of a rock-star than a classical musician, I stopped playing violin in favour of teaching myself guitar. Well....school, work, marriage and a family rather side-stepped my fortunes as a rock god and it was many years later before I was re-introduced to live music by a good friend involved in the Preston Morris scene. At that time I didn't even own an instrument!
Encouraged by the fun others were obviously having playing traditional music, I bought a fiddle purely on impulse at an auction, just to see if I could coax a tune out of it! As you might imagine it took me six months hard labour to be brave enough to take it out to a session and another six before I dared play a solo! ‘The sound of strangling cats’ is a phrase that comes to mind!
Well, since then, the 'devil’s instrument’ has taken hold of me. I didn’t meet him at midnight at Oak’s Bar* or anything but I’ve had so much fun with it since and met so many interesting and friendly people through playing, it has changed my life completely.
I eventually took the plunge, and in 2007 I graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne with a B.Mus.(Hons) in Folk & Traditional Music. I was awarded Upper Second Class Honours - a 2:1. Now I know how a fiddle really should be played!
What I’m trying to do here in East Lancashire is generate interest among people, young and old, to learn to play the indigenous music that was once the wallpaper in this part of the world. There is a lack of opportunity for people to learn traditional music, song and dance of the region and using this website and my efforts in teaching and playing the fiddle, I hope to rectify that imbalance. If I can enthuse people just half as much as I have been then we're definitely back on track.
Business Services
Individual 1:1 Tuition
At my home.
Playing traditional fiddle music is great fun. The more you learn about the instrument and its capabilities and the enormous repertoire available to you, the more you’ll want to know. It’s instantly accessible even in your first lesson as a complete beginner. If you are new to the instrument that’s fantastic, there are few things better than seeing someone's delight in playing their first tune.
If you are set on playing an instrument but aren’t quite sure which one or perhaps you are interested to know a little more about the fiddle and it's music before you make a decision. Contact me and all new students can enjoy a free ½ hour 'taster' session. You’ll learn lots of interesting facts about the instrument and the different repertoires and you’ll get to play one too. I'll provide one for the occasion.
As a beginner I'll take you through the best ways to warm up and how to hold the fiddle and bow. I'll introduce you to the notes and keys commonly used in first position for simple dance tunes and give you a background into folk and traditional music too. You'll learn some simple dance rhythms and tunes like jigs, polkas or a waltz and I'll use the phrasing and rhythms as a basis for exercises to practice at home.
Location & Hours
50 Moorfield Avenue
