Casey Willis

Hi, Julie. Welcome to the website, and thanks for the kind words! I’m happy to hear the format is working well for you…those are a couple of good tunes to tackle! Keep it up!

C

Hi, Joe. Downbow on downbeat a good baseline rule, one which should absolutely be broken depending on phrasing. Also, depending on the style played, some rules don’t apply. Take a look at Kevin’s lessons, for instance, and you’ll notice that he often favors upbows on downbeats.

You can see opinions from our various instructors here: Fiddle…[Read more]

Hi, Paul.

A general rule of thumb would be to position the bridge between the notches on each F-hole and then adjust towards/away from the fingerboard to suit your ear. That said, I’d recommend having your instrument set up by a luthier who works on a lot of fiddles/violins…they are worth the $, in my opionion. Best of luck!

Hi again, Mark.

Peter and I spent the past weekend in the studio and recorded a bunch more backup tracks. I made sure we cut the three tunes you listed. Crying Waltz is almost ready for release, and then the next three tunes from Megan will be those you asked for…stay tuned!

Hi, Joe.

I’d say that what you’re after is something that will become innate/easier the more tunes you work through. The more you go through the process of learning a basic version of the tune and then adding in the triplets, ornamentations, double stops, variations, etc. that are included in the advanced lessons, the easier it will be to do…[Read more]

Hi, Brad.

Great to hear the site is helping your playing. Yes – I absolutely want to get Andre back in the studio. It’s been a crazy couple of years with everything going on, but my hope is that he is able to make it back to the studio in 2022. Fingers crossed, sir.

C

Hi, Samuel. Thanks for signing up! I couldn’t agree more about Megan. Her teaching chops are as good as her playing chops, and that’s no small feat. Welcome to the website, sir!

C

Hi, Mark, and thanks for chiming in! Yes – we’re unfortunately in a holding pattern on backup tracks from Megan’s most recent session due to Covid/travel issues among other things. The good news is we do already have backups recorded for several more of Megan’s lessons recorded during her initial session…you should actually see three more…[Read more]

Hi, Lightningie.

Good question. You’re thinking about the right things.

I would say that when it comes to specific techniques, you should consider using a metronome with whatever skill you are working on. Listen or watch what you are doing with a critical eye and ear as you work. If you find that you are making mistakes, even minor ones…[Read more]

Hey, Barry.

We’ll add it to her running request list. Megan may be back out in February to record her third set of lessons…she may choose to teach it, sir!

C

You’re welcome, Kenny. Agreed – Megan is awesome. Cheers!

C

Great to hear, Pat.

Yeah…wait till you get to lesson seven. I’ve played fiddle for over 40 years and she explained something which I knew but did not know I knew, don’t you know? She’s a great teacher. Many more lessons from Megan to follow…

Alright, folks. For anyone following this thread and waiting for Megan’s lessons, the wait is over!

Well, the waits over for the first few lessons she recorded, anyway…

Many more to follow, but you can access Megan’s material here going forward: https://www.fiddlevideo.com/category/megan-lynch-chowning/

Cheers!

Hi, Bowvalley.

This one will definitely be on Andre’s next session listing…we just need to find a way to get him down for another recording session! This pandemic is putting a wrench in travel!

C

Thanks much for the kind words, MissElaine. You’re very welcome. Tons more tunes to be published…

C

Hi, Laurel.

Megan’s tune lesson performance tracks are out to the guitar player…I’d expect the first of those to be published in September. The production team is currently working on her technique tutorials, and most of those don’t require backing tracks…so I’d expect them to start hitting the website in the next couple of weeks.

All the best!

C

Awesome, Aysha. Sounds like you found your people!! I’m heading out myself for a week-long bluegrass jamming festival this coming weekend. There are great times to be had there! Good job jumping into some jams.

Thx for posting that video, Thistle. Megan just recorded an updated version of the same lesson to be published on this site shortly.

C