MUSIC LESSONS
Entry Criteria: Students must be playing fiddle for a minimum of 2 years.
I usually teach fiddle (& bouzouki) on a one-to-one basis. Lessons last for one hour. Topics covered include:
Fiddle:
Ornamentation:
Rolls; cuts; bow trebles; cranning; chording.
Technique:
Best methods; useful exercises; good posture.
Learning by 'Ear':
My own preference is to teach tunes by ear.
Lesson Materials:
I normally record a video of myself playing the tune from the lesson & I give that video to students so they can go over the tunes again at their own pace.
Mick recommends:
I would suggest recorded material that students should listen to and players they should try to see and hear.
My personal philosophy:
I don't believe in force-feeding tunes to students. Everyone has their own unique method & pace of learning & absorbing tunes. I teach one tune at a time with all ornamentation & variations built-in. Once the tune is learnt, in time students should be able to transpose their new techniques to their existing repertoire of tunes.
Group / Class teaching:
I have taught fiddle & bouzouki in workshops for larger classes at various festivals at home and abroad, for example:
Online Music Lessons:
I provide fiddle & bouzouki lessons online by appointment only. Contact me here for more info.
I usually teach fiddle (& bouzouki) on a one-to-one basis. Lessons last for one hour. Topics covered include:
Fiddle:
Ornamentation:
Rolls; cuts; bow trebles; cranning; chording.
Technique:
Best methods; useful exercises; good posture.
Learning by 'Ear':
My own preference is to teach tunes by ear.
Lesson Materials:
I normally record a video of myself playing the tune from the lesson & I give that video to students so they can go over the tunes again at their own pace.
Mick recommends:
I would suggest recorded material that students should listen to and players they should try to see and hear.
My personal philosophy:
I don't believe in force-feeding tunes to students. Everyone has their own unique method & pace of learning & absorbing tunes. I teach one tune at a time with all ornamentation & variations built-in. Once the tune is learnt, in time students should be able to transpose their new techniques to their existing repertoire of tunes.
Group / Class teaching:
I have taught fiddle & bouzouki in workshops for larger classes at various festivals at home and abroad, for example:
- Willie Clancy Summer School - Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Ireland
- MA course in Traditional Irish Music Performance - Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland
- Catskills Irish Arts Week - Catskill, NY, USA
- Augusta Heritage Celtic Week - Davis & Elkins College, WV, USA
- Rencontres Musicales Irlandaises de Tocane - Tocane, France
- Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School - Milwaukee, WI, USA
Online Music Lessons:
I provide fiddle & bouzouki lessons online by appointment only. Contact me here for more info.
© Mick Conneely 2025