Fan to Fiddler
A year long course to take you from squeaking to feeling good playing for yourself and others!
What if...
You could play fiddle without hitting other strings and squeaking?
You felt happy with how your fiddling sounded?
You could learn how to play the fiddle tunes faster?
You felt accomplished and confident jamming with others?
You had support to learn the technique and skills to be happy playing music for yourself and with others?
A course designed to walk you through a step-by-step method to take you from making your first sounds to adding ornaments to fiddle tunes on your own.
Whether you have never played before, or whether you already have a few tunes under your belt, Fan to Fiddler walks you step by step from playing easy beginner fiddle tunes, to feeling confident and accomplished playing for yourself and jamming with others.
🎻 Beginner fiddlers who are just starting out
🎻 Fiddlers who have a few tunes under their belts and want to learn more
🎻 Fiddlers who have been learning on their own and are getting frustrated with their lack of progress
"I just completed Katherine’s Fiddle Kickstart lessons. The weekly lessons are easy to understand and timely, not too fast a pace. I was able to download and print the music as well as download and listening to the mp3 versions. I played the songs from her lessons and she gave me very helpful tips to improve and continue on with my practicing.
I highly recommend these lessons to anyone who wants to learn how to play the fiddle."
- Wendy Pitcher
"I live on the other side of the world from Katherine, yet she's successfully started me on ten Celtic dance tunes so far! The online classes are offered at times to suit most students and there is a replay if you have to miss it. Katherine hasn't forgotten what it's like to be a learner and her good humoured take on technical violin issues is very motivating.
I sincerely recommend working with her."
- Clare Veltman
"I think this is the greatest system to learn violin. You can proceed at your own pace. There is a lot of encouragement from a great teacher, and abundant help. No question is too simple to ask!!"
- Marnie Spence
You've learned a tune or two but...
🎻 You wish you didn't still squeak and hit two strings
🎻 You're not as far along as you feel like you should be
🎻 You feel like your fiddling sounds too mechanical
I want you to know that you're not alone! When I started playing fiddle tunes, it all sounded like exercises instead of music!
So how did I change this?
When I wanted to learn to fiddle, nobody could tell me how to make my music not sound like exercises. Because of my classical training, I could read music like the wind and play all of the notes easily... Why I needed was a guide to the style!
Fan to Fiddler is a journey to learning to fiddle through video lessons, sheet music, and MP3s to play along with!
I will be there with you through this journey! We will have monthly live Q&As as well as monthly live Guided Practice Sessions. This means that you can questions as they come up and you can get feedback on areas where you need help!
Welcome!
Equipment Needed
Equipment Needed
Calendar and Zoom links
Downloads
Is it a Violin or a Fiddle?
The Parts of Your Violin
Shoulder Rest: What is it and do I need one?
Tuning Your Violin
Holding Your Violin
Holding Your Bow
Making Your First Sounds
Practice Strategies
Assignments
Downloads
Left Hand Placement
Notes on the E String
Notes on the A String
Notes on the D String
Notes on the G String
Scales
Sheet Music Basics
Assignments 1
Assignments 2
Assignments 3
Assignments 4
Downloads
Time Signatures
Review A Major Scale
Fun Fiddle Keys, Line 1
Fun Fiddle Keys, Line 2
Fun Fiddle Keys, Line 3
Fun Fiddle Keys, Line 4
Fun Fiddle Keys, Line 5
Fun Fiddle Keys, Whole Tune
Fun Fiddle Keys - MP3s
Assignments
Downloads
Key Signatures
Review D Major Scale
Fun Fiddle Keys in the Key of D
Review G Major Scale
Fun Fiddle Keys in the Key of G
Fun Fiddle Keys Variations MP3s
Assignments
Downloads
New Rhythm, Dotted Notes
Up Bow Vs Down Bow
Morag of Dunvegan in the Key of A
Morag of Dunvegan in the Key of D
Morag of Dunvegan in the Key of A with Counting
Assignments
Morag of Dunvegan MP3s
Downloads
New Rhythm, Eighth Notes
Pickup Notes
Dawning of the Day
Dawning of the Day with Counting
Dawning of the Day at a Faster Speed
Assignments
Dawning of the Day MP3s
Downloads
Types of Tunes
New Time Signature
Repeats
New Bowing, Up-Up
Cock of the North
Tips for Playing Faster
Assignments
Cock of the North MP3s
Downloads
New Type of Tune, The Reel
Switching Between Two Strings Quickly
Devil's Dream, 1st Half
Devil's Dream, 2nd Half
Devil's Dream, Whole Tune
Devil's Dream MP3s
Swallow Tail - Sheet Music
E Extended Scale Exercise - Sheet Music
Overview
What Makes a Jig a Jig?
How to Make a Jig Sound Jiggy
What is a Slur and How Do You Do It?
What is the Purpose of a Slur?
Using One Finger on Two Strings
What is a Scale?
E Extended Scale Exercise in Whole Notes
E Extended Scale Exercise in Half Notes
E Extended Scale Exercise in Quarter Notes
E Extended Scale Exercise, Whole Exercise
E Extended Scale Exercise with Slurs
Swallow Tail Jig - 1st Part, Slow
Swallow Tail Jig - 2nd Part, Slow
Swallow Tail Jig - Whole Tune, Slow
Swallow Tail Jig - 1st Part, Medium
Swallow Tail Jig - 2nd Part, Medium
Swallow Tail Jig - Whole Tune, Medium
Swallow Tail Jig - 1st Part, Fast
Swallow Tail Jig - 2nd Part, Fast
Swallow Tail Jig - Whole Tune, Fast
Assignments
Swallow Tail Jig - MP3s
E Extended Scale Exercise - MP3s
Westphalia Waltz - Sheet Music
Scales - Sheet Music
What is a Waltz, and How Do I Make it Sound Fiddly
What is the Difference Between a Major and a Minor Key
What is the Difference Between a Tone and a Semitone
What Makes a Major Scale Major?
How to Figure Out What Key a Piece is In
Finger Positions for G Major
G Major Scale
G Major Scale with Slurs
G Major Scale with Waltz Rhythm
G Major Arpeggio
Westphalia Waltz - MP3s
Scales - MP3s
Up-Up Bowing
Westphalia Waltz - 1st Part
Westphalia Waltz - 2nd Part
Westphalia Waltz - Whole Tune
Assignments
The Girl I Left Behind Me - Sheet Music
Overview - Reels, Rhythm, Key of G Major
The Girl I Left Behind Me - 1st Part
The Girl I Left Behind Me - 2nd Part
The Girl I Left Behind Me - MP3s
The Girl I Left Behind Me - Whole Tune
Assignments
Irish Washerwoman - Sheet Music
Overview - Key of G Major, Jig Rhythm
Leaving Your Fingers on the Strings
Irish Washerwoman - 1st Part, Slow
Irish Washerwoman - 2nd Part, Slow
Irish Washerwoman - Whole Tune, Slow
Irish Washerwoman - 1st Part, Medium
Irish Washerwoman - Whole Tune, Medium
Irish Washerwoman - 1st Part, Fast
Irish Washerwoman - MP3s
Irish Washerwoman - 2nd Part, Fast
Irish Washerwoman - Whole Tune, Fast
Irish Washerwoman - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Assignments
Irish Washerwoman - 2nd Part, Medium
Harvest Home - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview of a Hornpipe
Key of D Major Overview
Extended D Major Scale
Extended D Major Scale with Slurs
D Major Arpeggio
D Major Triplet Exercise
D Major Hornpipe Rhythm Exercise
D Major String Crossing Exercise
Harvest Home - 1st Part, Slow
Harvest Home - 2nd Part, Slow
Harvest Home - Whole Tune, Slow
Harvest Home - 1st Part, Medium
Harvest Home - 2nd Part, Medium
Harvest Home - Whole Tune, Medium
Harvest Home - 1st Part, Fast
Harvest Home - 2nd Part, Fast
Harvest Home - Whole Tune, Fast
Harvest Home - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Assignments
Harvest Home - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
Old Joe Clark - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview
What are Double Stops and How Do You Play Them?
Double Stop Exercise
What is a Mixolydian Scale?
A Mixolydian Scale
A Mixolydian Scale with Double Stops
Old Joe Clark (Basic) - Slow
Old Joe Clark (Basic) with Double Stops - Slow
Old Joe Clark (Basic) with Double Stops - Medium
Old Joe Clark (Basic) with Double Stops - Fast
Old Joe Clark (Basic) with Double Stops - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Old Joe Clark - Whole Tune, Slow
Old Joe Clark - Whole Tune, Medium
Old Joe Clark - Whole Tune, Fast
Old Joe Clark - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Assignments
Old Joe Clark - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
Mason's Apron - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview
Key of A Major, Accidentals, and Pickup Notes
Time Signature - Cut Common Time
A Major Scale
A Major Scale with Slurs
A Major Arpeggio
G - G# Accidental Exercise
Mason's Apron - 1st Part, Slow
Mason's Apron - 2nd Part, Slow
Mason's Apron - Whole Tune, Slow
Mason's Apron - 1st Part, Medium
Mason's Apron - 2nd Part, Medium
Mason's Apron - Whole Tune, Medium
Mason's Apron - 1st Part, Fast
Mason's Apron - 2nd Part, Fast
Mason's Apron - Whole Tune, Fast
Mason's Apron - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Assignments
Mason's Apron - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
Lannigan's Ball - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview
Review of Accidentals
What is a Minor Key?
E Natural Minor Scale
E Melodic Minor Scale
E Harmonic Minor Scale
E Minor Arpeggio
Lannigan's Ball - 1st Part, Slow
Lannigan's Ball - Whole Tune, Slow
Lannigan's Ball - 2nd Part, Slow
Lannigan's Ball - 1st Part, Medium
Lannigan's Ball - 2nd Part, Medium
Lannigan's Ball - Whole Tune, Medium
Lannigan's Ball - 1st Part, Fast
Lannigan's Ball - 2nd Part, Fast
Lannigan's Ball - Whole Tune, Fast
Lannigan's Ball - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Lesson 8 - Assignments
Lannigan's Ball - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
John Ryan's - Sheet Music
Overview
John Ryan's Polka - 1st Part, Slow
John Ryan's Polka - 2nd Part, Slow
John Ryan's Polka - Whole Tune, Slow
John Ryan's Polka - 1st Part, Medium
John Ryan's Polka - 2nd Part, Medium
John Ryan's Polka - Whole Tune, Medium
John Ryan's Polka - 1st Part, Fast
John Ryan's Polka - 2nd Part, Fast
John Ryan's Polka - Whole Tune, Fast
John Ryan's Polka - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Assignments
John Ryan's Polka - MP3s
Maid Behind the Bar - Sheet Music
Scales - Sheet Music
Overview
Extended D Major Scale
Extended D Major Scale with Slurs
D Major Arpeggio
D Major Arpeggio with Slurs
"The Flick" Ornament
Maid Behind the Bar - 1st Part, Slow
Maid Behind the Bar - 2nd Part, Slow
Maid Behind the Bar - Whole Tune, Slow
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - 1st Part, Slow
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Slow
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Slow
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - 1st Part, Medium
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Medium
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Medium
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - 1st Part, Fast
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Fast
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Fast
Maid Behind the Bar with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
How to Make a Reel Sound More Fiddly
Slurs - Where to Put Them in a Reel
Assignments
Maid Behind the Bar - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
Rambling Pitchfork - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview
Rambling Pitchfork - Slurs and Review of D Major
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - Rolls, Flicks, and Runs
Rambling Pitchfork - Making Your Jigs Sound Jiggy
Rambling Pitchfork - Jiggy D Major Scale
Rambling Pitchfork - Jiggy D Major Scale with Slurs
Rambling Pitchfork - 1st Part, Slow
Rambling Pitchfork - 2nd Part, Slow
Rambling Pitchfork - Whole Tune, Slow
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - 1st Part, Slow
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Slow
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Slow
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - 1st Part, Medium
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Medium
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Medium
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - 1st Part, Fast
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Fast
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Fast
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Assignments
Rambling Pitchfork - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
Exercises - Sheet Music
Kesh Jig - Sheet Music
Overview
How to Play a Slide
G Major Scale (2 Octaves)
G Major Scale with Slurs
G Major Arpeggio
Jiggy G Major Scale
Jiggy G Major Scale with Slurs
Kesh Jig - 1st Part, Slow
Kesh Jig - 2nd Part, Slow
Kesh Jig - Whole Tune, Slow
Kesh Jig with Ornaments - 1st Part, Slow
Kesh Jig with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Slow
Rambling Pitchfork with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Slow
Kesh Jig with Ornaments - 1st Part, Medium
Kesh Jig with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Medium
Kesh Jig with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Medium
Kesh Jig with Ornaments - 1st Part, Fast
Kesh Jig with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Fast
Kesh Jig with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Fast
Kesh Jig with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Assignments
Kesh Jig - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
Coming Home - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview
Coming Home - The Story Behind the Tune
How Do You Play a Trill and Where Do They Go?
Jiggy G Major Scale with Trills
Coming Home - Melody, 1st Part
Coming Home - Melody, 2nd Part
Coming Home - Melody, Whole Tune
A Quick Lesson About Third Position
Coming Home - Harmony, 1st Part
Coming Home - Harmony, 2nd Part
Coming Home with Ornaments - Harmony, Whole Tune
Coming Home with Ornaments - Melody, 1st Part
Coming Home with Ornaments - Melody, 2nd Part
Coming Home with Ornaments - Melody, Whole Tune
Coming Home with Ornaments - Harmony, 1st Part
Coming Home with Ornaments - Harmony, 2nd Part
Coming Home with Ornaments - Harmony, Whole Tune
Assignments
Coming Home
MP3s - Exercises
Crossing of the Minch - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview
What is a Cut and How Do I Play One?
Crossing the Minch - 1st Part, Slow
Crossing the Minch - 2nd Part, Slow
Crossing the Minch - 3rd Part, Slow
Crossing the Minch - 4th Part, Slow
Crossing the Minch - Whole Tune, Slow
Crossing the Minch - 1st Part, Medium
Crossing the Minch - 2nd Part, Medium
Crossing the Minch - 3rd Part, Medium
Crossing the Minch - 4th Part, Medium
Crossing the Minch - Whole Tune, Medium
Crossing the Minch - 1st Part, Fast
Crossing the Minch - 2nd Part, Fast
Crossing the Minch - 3rd Part, Fast
Crossing the Minch - 4th Part, Fast
Crossing the Minch - Whole Tune, Fast
Crossing the Minch - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Crossing the Minch - Where Can You Add Ornaments?
Assignments
Crossing the Minch - MP3s
D Major Scale with Cuts - MP3s
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview
What is a Hammer-on and How Do I Play One?
A Major Scale (2 Octaves)
A Major Scale with Slurs (2 Octaves)
A Major Arpeggio (2 Octaves)
A Major Scale with Hammer-ons
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel - 1st Part, Slow
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel - 2nd Part, Slow
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel - Whole Tune, Slow
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - 1st Part, Slow
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Slow
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Slow
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - 1st Part, Medium
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Medium
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Medium
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - 1st Part, Fast
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Fast
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Fast
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Assignments
Mrs. MacLeod's Reel - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
Happy Place - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview
What is Shuffle Bowing and How Do I Do It?
Shuffle Bowing Exercise - Slow
Shuffle Bowing Exercise - Medium
Shuffle Bowing Exercise - Fast
What is a Lower Mordent?
Happy Place - 1st Part, Slow
Happy Place - 2nd Part, Slow
Happy Place - Whole Tune, Slow
Happy Place with Ornaments - 1st Part, Slow
Happy Place with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Slow
Happy Place with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Slow
Happy Place with Ornaments - 1st Part, Medium
Happy Place with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Medium
Happy Place with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Medium
Happy Place with Ornaments - 1st Part, Fast
Happy Place with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Fast
Happy Place with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Fast
Happy Place with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Assignments
Happy Place - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
Scotland the Brave - Sheet Music
Exercises - Sheet Music
Overview
Double Stops and Drones - What is the Difference?
D Major Scale with Drones
Tips for Playing Double Stops and Drones
Scotland the Brave - 1st Part Slow
Scotland the Brave - 2nd Part, Slow
Scotland the Brave - Whole Tune, Slow
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - 1st Part, Slow
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Slow
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Slow
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - 1st Part, Medium
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Medium
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Medium
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - 1st Part, Fast
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Fast
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Fast
Scotland the Brave with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Scotland the Brave - MP3s
Exercises - MP3s
Jim, the Fiddle Maker - Sheet Music
Overview
What Notes Should I Play for Double Stops?
Jim, the Fiddle Maker - 1st Part, Slow
Jim, the Fiddle Maker - 2nd Part, Slow
Jim, the Fiddle Maker - Whole Tune, Slow
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - 1st Part, Slow
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Slow
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Slow
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - 1st Part, Medium
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Medium
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Medium
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - 1st Part, Fast
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - 2nd Part, Fast
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Fast
Jim, the Fiddle Maker with Ornaments - Whole Tune, Getting Faster
Jim, the Fiddle Maker - MP3s
Finding a Fiddle - Download
Why Is My Violin Squeaking?
Why Is My Violin Squeaking?
Why Is My Bow Bouncing?
Why Is My Bow Bouncing?
What Is Bagpiping?
What Is Bagpiping?
Practice Tip - Set a Schedule and Practice Often
Practice Tip - Isolate the Problem Spots
Practice Tip - Do Your Least Favourite Thing First
Practice Tip - Use a Timer
Tips for Playing Faster
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the refund policy?
All sales are final. There are no refunds.
2. Why is the price in USD?
The platform I am using is in USD, so that is what we are going with even though I live in Canada.
3. Do I have time to do this?
If you have time to watch a 30 minute TV show, you have time to learn to fiddle! If you can put in 20 minutes 4-5 times a week, you can learn to fiddle!
4. Can I watch the vides on my own time?
All of the lessons have been pre-recorded and can be watched at your convenience. The lives calls are also recorded, so even if you can't join us at that time, you can still watch them later.
5. When will the live guided practice sessions be held?
Most of the live calls will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays generally at 12pm, 3pm or 7pm ET. Calls will be rotated so as many people from different time zones can attend as possible. There are always replays available.