Experienced and enthusiastic fiddle and violin teacher, based in Bristol. All levels from complete beginner to advanced.

Sonia's partner (the lesson was a gift) has taught himself some basic fiddle technique, but we reviewed how to hold the fiddle and the bow. We looked at getting a nice sound from a good bowing action, and then did some work on left hand intonation (tuning). We discussed how left -hand and -wrist position can affect the tuning. Then we learned the first part of well-known Irish jig 'by ear', phrase by phrase. Not bad for a first lesson! Well done!

Catherine is already a good session player, with a good repertoire of tunes. Starting with a tune (a jig) which she already played, we worked through a range of new bowing techniques, melodic variations and ornaments, many of which were new to her - but she is quick to learn, and listens carefully to suggestions. We made rapid progress in the space of a single lesson. We then looked at a new tune (a reel) from sheet music, and talked about rhythmic structure and pulse, and the differences between related ornaments in Irish music. Catherine already has a solid technique, and I think with some guidance could quickly become a really good fiddle player.

An excellent first lesson with Ed. He hasn't played the violin for a long time, but we quickly took stock of where he was and reviewed some basic technique. We discussed a few useful exercises, and then learned a simple Irish jig by ear, phrase by phrase. Finally, we took first steps to learning one of the simpler Irish fiddle ornaments. Ed went away with some recordings of the jig to play along with. Great work, Ed! Looking forward to our next lesson!