(Note: This series of “When Should I…” articles, each with seven tips for you, began with #1 in May about equipment, and will continue now — enjoy!)

7 ideas on getting help with your learning

Are you wondering when you should…
1. Try private lessons?
2. Take a class?
3. Take a workshop?
4. Use online materials?
5. Find a new teacher?
6. Try a new learning style?
7. Find new tunes for yourself?

When should I…

1 …try private lessons?

Short answer: if you feel a) inspired to move quicker in your learning, or b) routine frustration without understanding why or how to progress.

A good teacher provides perspective on how you can best prioritize your energies. Some learners, for example, may focus entirely on remembering sequences of notes when they would do much better focusing on timing; others may worry about every squeak and scratch instead of gaining control of their sound. A teacher can set you on the right track if your assumptions about what’s importnt are blocking progress. Studies have shown that learners are poor judges of their own progress; it’s nice to get an outside perspective. Here’s an article about ways to learn better.

By the way, “not practicing enough” is never a good explanation for lack of progress! First of all, I’ve never heard a single student tell me they actually practiced “enough”! Second, it may well be that someone isn’t practicing enough because it’s frustrating, and may be barking up the wrong tree (which they’re usually convinced is the correct tree!).

If you get in your own way by demanding too much of yourself or demanding the wrong things of yourself, a teacher can help guide you and break the log jam. You might also find it helpful to read this article on good and bad perfectionists.

Fiddle-online allows you to set up an online private lesson via the Credits Store.

2 …take a fiddle class?

Short answer: when you’re keen to learn particular skills or tunes, would like a less expensive alternative to private lessons, and don’t mind the lack of one-on-one time.

One time when classes are always helpful is when you want the basics, either to start playing or to fill in the gaps. In fact, a beginning fiddle class is the only time when everybody is at the same level! A “fiddle basics” class allows students to fill in gaps or reinforce basic skills, and gives people time to go over skills in a new way or more carefully, regardless of their current level.

Classes are less expensive than private lessons but lack the one-on-one attention, which you’ll need if you fit the description under #1 above. But you can learn from the mistakes of others in a class, and it’s a nice social experience. You also (if it’s an in-person class) get valuable practice listening to both yourself and others at the same time, and playing in ensemble with other players. A class can also give you a window into the teacher’s approach to learning, in an ongoing way that a single workshop can’t provide.

Ongoing online classes are offered on fiddle-online for (usually) eight weekly classes focusing on specific levels or topics such as fiddle basics, exploring a Technique Video Group such as note patterns or ornamentation, and improving by-ear skills. You can enter your preferences on the class waiting list page.

3 …take a workshop?

Short answer: when you want to focus on a few techniques or a particular tune or type of tune, and gain insight into the instructor’s approach.

A workshop is usually a single event, rather than an ongoing series with the same teacher. It can be good for all levels, and is great for those who are playing reasonably well at their level but would like to enrich their knowledge in a particular area or learn from a special instructor.

fiddle-online workshops usually focus on one tune each; there are usually 3 workshops each month within a topic such as a type of tune, tunes from a place, or tunes that use a particular technique.

Our guest concert/workshops give learners a window into a different world-class fiddler, one Sunday each month.

4 …use online materials?

Short answer: if you don’t have an appropriate teacher nearby, and if you like learning at your own pace from home.

There are many online offerings for learning fiddle, fiddle-online being only one of them (though it has many unique aspects such as regular live events, interactive sheet music, practice opportunities with other students, technique videos, and over 100 articles in this blog).

Learning online is perfect for situations (such as a pandemic or a packed schedule) when you can’t get out to in-person events. It’s important that you have a tablet, laptop, or computer available in a place where you can play, and that you have earbuds, earphones, or a good speaker so that you can hear music from the internet even at the same time as you play fiddle. It also helps you keep all your learning materials in one site, folder, or linked location.

It has downsides such as lack of in-person interaction and inability to play simultaneously with others, but it also offers a broad range of materials so that you can choose what works best for you, and there are often links that give you immediate access to resources such as articles, pdfs, and performances in audio or video.

5 …find a new teacher?

Short answer: if your lessons don’t inspire or feel rewarding after you’ve given your teacher a good go.

Teachers have a wide range of experience. The best and most experienced are able to empathize with your learning needs and guide you on your next best step. Less experienced teachers sometimes feel the need to impose their own ways onto a student. If this feels like what’s happening and it’s inappropriate for you, you should feel free to look for someone new. It may also be that your current instructor is a fine teacher, but may not be familiar with or respectful of the type of music and style you want to learn.

Studying with two or more teachers can be confusing both to you and to your teachers. I’ve taught a few kids who study both fiddle and violin with different teachers and there can be conflicting priorities that get in the way. It’s best to stick with one teacher and allow them to develop a path for you. It won’t happen all at once, so allow it to grow before you make too many judgments.

6 …try a new learning style?

Short answer: if you’re ready to open up new horizons and grow faster.

Some people categorize themselves as, for example, visual learners, or require note names to understand what they’re playing. Studies have found that the categories of learning styles that people put themselves into are usually fiction! People who claim to be visual learners have been found to be equally adept at auditory learning and vice versa, but they just didn’t know it. The bottom line is that you learn faster when you venture out of your comfort zone. And as mentioned above in #1, learners aren’t very good judges of how they learn best. Here’s an article with more on this and other tips about learning.

7 …go on my own to find new tunes?

Short answer: any time, but here are some tips on how to do it.

If you can read music (and you should learn how if you’re not comfortable with it), look in books for new tunes. Be patient as you sound out a tune, and make sure you play it in time even if slowly, so your ears can get the feel of it. Use techniques you’ve picked up in workshops, lessons or the phrase by phrase method used throughout fiddle-online, and apply it to your own independent learning. Always try to get your tunes off the page (see this article about learning vs memorizing), so you can make the tunes your own.

You can also learn from recordings, most importantly to really get the feel of a tune, but also to pick up the notes and phrases. Use a slowdowner or challenge yourself to work up to tempo but just one phrase at a time, honing your ears to pick up notes of a phrase a few at a time, or by groups if recognizable (arpeggio, scale, etc).

You can find tunes in books, CDs, and via online sites. This site (fiddle-online) has well over 250 tunes to learn, but there are many others. Check out The Session, Trad Tune Archive, or look up tune lists put out be various fiddle groups. Don’t forget IMSLP for a huge online collection of public domain sheet music.

And once you pick up some tunes, don’t forget to put tunes together into medleys of 2, 3 or more tunes, to make your own musical creation. Medleys are the fiddler’s canvas! Paint up a storm, for a colorful musical life!

“When Should I…” (#2) — Get Help Learning Fiddle