Online Fiddle Class

Fiddle Kickstart
Eight weeks of step-by-step instruction for the absolute beginner.
Learn to fiddle in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Next Session Starts April 18th!

 $97 USD 

Sales Video

With over 15 years experience of fiddle instruction, I have taught students of all ages and all levels.  I have run into the same concerns over and over!

Do you want to learn how to fiddle, but don’t want to be in a group?

Do you feel intimidated by the thought of learning alongside young children?

Do you want to join a group of fiddlers, but want to be able to play without squeaking?

Have you been surfing around YouTube learning to fiddle, but are looking for more guidance?

Do you think you might be too old to learn?

Do you wonder if you are the only one struggling?

I have good news for you!

You can learn to fiddle in the privacy of your own home!  Through this on-line program you will have the best of both worlds: being able to learn in the privacy of your own home, yet having the support of other students learning alongside you through our on-line forum.  No matter what your age, it is never too late to follow your dream and learn how to fiddle!  I will guide you through learning in a step-by-step method where each step follows naturally from the last.   I will give you the skills to be able to problem-solve and figure out why your violin is squeaking and how to fix it!

Through the Fiddle Kickstart program you will have access to:

–       Bonus lesson:  How to buy an instrument
–       Seven video lessons teaching you the technique of playing the fiddle and reading sheet music
–       An on-line forum 24/7 where you can post your questions and concerns, receive feedback from me, and support and encourage each other
–       MP3s of each tune we learn at various speed so you can play along at home
–       One 30 minute private lesson provided via Skype

In the Fiddle Kickstart this course you will learn how to:

–       Buy a violin
–       Care for your instrument properly
–       Hold the violin and bow
–       Problem-solve to stop squeaking
–       Play four traditional fiddle tunes

Click Here to Sign Up Now! 

 Your Fiddle Kickstart Lesson Schedule

You will receive the first bonus lesson as soon as you sign up.  The 7 lessons will be made available one per week for 7 weeks after the start date.

Katherine is extremely patient but at the same time she has a very subtle way of challenging me as a student. Through my lessons I have become reacquainted with a part of my brain that has been dormant for a long time. I do not listen to music the same way.  I hear music in everyday sounds that I had never considered musical. A true enlightenment.

Katherine’s forte as a teacher is her ability to design the “learning plan” that is best suited to her students which contributes greatly to their flourishing as musicians.  She is a soft spoken and very “zen”. The learning experience with Katherine is a real growth process, not a competition or a race.  She is able to “shape” the lessons to enable them to reach their respective goals.  When I prepared to leave and we discuss the practice plan for the coming week, the home practices never seem like chores or homework. Last but not least, she possesses a great sense of humour the greatest delight of her students no matter how old they are. – Diane McInnis

Here is a sample of what you will learn over the next eight weeks:

Lesson 1:  Getting Started

The basis of all of your playing, you need to know the anatomy of your fiddle, how to care for it, how to hold it, and how to make your first sound.  Not getting the proper foundation in these basic items will hold you back because you will have to relearn your technique later on.

As important as the technique is learning to practice properly.  You will progress much faster when you know when and how to practice.

Here’s what you will learn:

–       The parts and proper maintenance of your instrument
–       Getting ready to play:  tuning your fiddle, holding your fiddle and bow
–       Making your first sound
–       Practice strategies

Lesson 2:  Using your left hand

Now that you are making sound with your fiddle, it is time to start using the fingers of your left hand to change the notes!  Does it matter where your fingers go?  Does it matter what part of your finger touches the string?  How hard should you press?  What do these notes look like in sheet music?  We’ll answer all of these questions in this class!

Here’s what you will learn:

–       Proper left hand placement
–       Pitch:  what is it and how to find it
–       Theory:  the note names and how this relates to other instruments
–       The beginning of reading sheet music

“I enjoy playing the fiddle because it is providing a serious challenge in my middle years.  With no music background, everything learned on the violin/fiddle is a joy comparable to a new photographer or artist seeing their first creative images come to life. 

It was very fortunate, that when my husband gifted me my first violin 5 years ago this Christmas, he had already chosen Katherine Moller to be my instructor.  I still can’t quite believe Katherine accepted me and kept me as a student given my limitations.  She is an excellent teacher who can pick out mistakes and works to correct them immediately.  Katherine is patient and also gives some latitude to adult students to learn and explore at their own speed. Her teaching skills are well honed.”  – Leona Hurley

Lesson 3:  Your First Tune:  Fun Fiddle Keys

You can hold your instrument and use your bow, have made your first sound and have learned how to change the pitches with your left hand.  It is now time to learn your first tune!  How do you know how long to play the notes?  Let’s tackle rhythm, note lengths and time signatures!

By now you have had time to get used to your violin, so this is the perfect time to do some problem solving.  Is your fiddle squeaking while you play?  What can you do to fix it?

Here’s what you will learn:

–       Time signature:  what is it and what does it mean
–       Rhythm:  the difference between half notes and quarter notes
–       Your first fiddle tune:  Fun Fiddle Keys
–       Problem solving:  How to I get my fiddle to stop squeaking?

Click Here to Sign Up Now!

Lesson 4:  Variations on Fun Fiddle Keys

When you play the fiddle with a guitarist, you are going to be asked what key you are playing in.  What does that mean?  How do you know?

Problem solving part two:  How do I get my bow to stop bouncing?

Here’s what you will learn:

–       Key signature:  what does that mean?
–       Fun Fiddle Keys in the key of D
–       Fun Fiddle Keys in the key of G
–       Scales in the keys of A, D, and G major

“I have a wonderful sense of accomplishment having learned to play the violin at 60 years old. Katherine’s instruction enabled me to achieve my goal. I plan to continue to learn from her well into my retirement years.

Katherine has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the violin. She is very versatile! Last year I learned to play some classic fiddle tunes. This year I am concentrating on (Irish, Scottish, British and Welsh) folk songs.” – Carol Anne Daigle

Lesson 5:  Your Second Fiddle Tune:  Morag of Dunvegan

Time to learn a second fiddle tune!  This traditional Scottish tune has many similarities to your first fiddle tune and has the same time signature, key signature and uses the same type of rhythms as Fun Fiddle Keys.

Here’s what you will learn:

–       New time signature:  ¾
–       Morag of Dunvegan in the key of A
–       Morag of Dunvegan in the key of D
–       Problem solving:  Why is my bow bouncing?

 Lesson 6:  Your Third Fiddle Tune:  Dawning of the Day

Now that you have learned two fiddle tunes in ¾ that use the same types of rhythms, it is time to branch out!  This new fiddle tune has new rhythms and a new time signature.  In this module we’ll also introduce the idea of pick-up notes.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

–       New rhythm:  eighth notes
–       New time signature:  4/4
–       New fiddle tune:  Dawning of the Day
–       Pick-up notes

Lesson 7:  Your Fourth Fiddle Tune:  Cock of the North

Let’s talk about the different types of fiddles tune and how you can tell which one is which.  Reels, Waltzes, Jigs…  It’s time to learn your first jig.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

–       New time signature:  6/8
–       New bowing pattern:  Two up bows in a row
–       Different types of tunes and how to recognize them
–       Tips for playing faster

If you are interested in learning a step-by-step method for learning to fiddle starting from buying an instrument to learning four fiddle tunes then this is your chance!  No more searching around on YouTube and leaping in trying something that is too advanced.

 Click Here to Sign Up Now!