Does anyone know of any ITM fiddlers who might be willing to give lessons in the Portland, Oregon area? I'm an adult player getting back into playing again, and my teacher is changing jobs and won't be teaching anymore :( My main goal is to improve my technique (isn't that a novel idea!) and expand my repertoire, hopefully to the point where I could actually go into a session and be able to play without having things thrown at me I've mostly played Scottish, but my (soon to be ex) teacher plays Texas style so I've been working on that of late. But my *reel* love is for the Celtic tunes. I'm hoping someone here knows of some good teachers, or maybe players who might be open to teaching.
Thanks for the names. I'm a little too intimidated by the sheer awesomeness of Mr. Burke to even think about approaching him for lessons at this point of my illustrious career ;) Not that the others aren't also great, but you know what I mean...
Another fine Northwest fiddler who is also a great teacher, and has a DVD lesson out too, is Dale Russ, and I suspect he's still doing workshops, but there's no reason you can't catch a lesson while visiting in the immediate area of any of these mentioned.
I live in Portland and am starting to learn the Irish bouzouki so if you hear of any beginner's sessions feel free to e-mail me at newzouker@gmail.com. Maybe we can start a network of Portland area musicians (or is there already one??). Thanks!
(Please don’t tell them I said it’s a beginner’s session though!
Your best bet (New Zouker and Cilla) might be Sarah’s house session: http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/42
I haven’t been in ages, but the last I checked there was a good mix of abilities and they’re a very friendly lot, plus it’s a nice relaxed environment and a good way to meet people.
Sarah also controls a big ol’ e-mail list of musicians that’s nice to be on. You can contact her through the link to the session on this site.
As far as a network of musicians, there are enough of us that there are really several different networks (or cliques, if you will), and then there’s the dance community…
Some members of the clique I hang out in started this thing: http://groups.google.com/group/the-session-formally-known-as-biddys?hl=en though we haven’t used it much. There’s a huge tune book of stuff played around PDX posted in the files there. You might have to join to look at it though. Feel free to ask questions there too.
Cilla: Kevin Burke is much less intimidating then you might think, though his lessons don’t come cheap, so you might want to go with someone else until you’re more comfortable. There are so many fiddle players in Portland you shouldn’t have any trouble finding someone you like.
There's also George Penk, a fiddler on the contra dance cirtuit, where they use a lot of Irish music. I was told by visitors that he had a group lesson going somewhere in Portland. Also, that the Portland Country Dance group allowed 'sit-ins' for their dances, which would give you that experience, playing for dance, and with more experienced musicians. I also understand they hold regular workshops too, in dance and music.
I would definitely check out Dan compton or anyone at Artichoke music. You might even check out their website or ask at the store if they know of anything going on. I've found them to be really friendly, and really enthusiastic for someone starting out.
Brongaene Griffin was mentioned to me, but I don't know if she teaches much. If you want a female teacher, she would be worth looking into. http://www.brongaenegriffin.com/
Dan, my teacher, has a large repertoire and is a very non-intimidating gentleman. I've got nothing but good things to say about him. www.glencottagemusic.com
Or you can go to a session or event, find a fiddler whose music you like and ask them if they give lessons.
Thank you all for your input...who knew there were so many Irish music lovers in Portland (!) Now I feel I've got a few avenues to try. And trying workshops and such would help me get out of my shyness rut.
Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
Does anyone know of any ITM fiddlers who might be willing to give lessons in the Portland, Oregon area? I'm an adult player getting back into playing again, and my teacher is changing jobs and won't be teaching anymore :( My main goal is to improve my technique (isn't that a novel idea!) and expand my repertoire, hopefully to the point where I could actually go into a session and be able to play without having things thrown at me
I've mostly played Scottish, but my (soon to be ex) teacher plays Texas style so I've been working on that of late. But my *reel* love is for the Celtic tunes. I'm hoping someone here knows of some good teachers, or maybe players who might be open to teaching.
Cheers,
Cilla
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by cilla
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
I don't know anything about teachers in Portland, but Randal Bays has a fiddle camp not too far from you:
http://www.randalbays.com/teaching.htm
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by Marklar
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
I think Kevin Burke might still live in Portland....
Eddie Parente is another possibility. You can probably get in touch with him via hanzaraki.com.
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by John Galt
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
There are a bunch of good teachers around, of pretty much every style, depending on what you're looking for.
Kevin Burke does still lives here and he gives lessons, though he might have all the students he wants at this point.
Dan Compton is a great teacher and player. You can contact him through http://www.artichokemusic.com/community/school.php. He also has a session playing class you might be interested in.
Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Kevin Burke are offering workshops in Febuary as well. http://mysite.verizon.net/res0i3uk/samkeator/
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by rapidbackpeddler
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
Thanks for the names. I'm a little too intimidated by the sheer awesomeness of Mr. Burke to even think about approaching him for lessons at this point of my illustrious career ;) Not that the others aren't also great, but you know what I mean...
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by cilla
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
Skip Parente is a great teacher, so is Dan Compton...
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
Another fine Northwest fiddler who is also a great teacher, and has a DVD lesson out too, is Dale Russ, and I suspect he's still doing workshops, but there's no reason you can't catch a lesson while visiting in the immediate area of any of these mentioned.
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by ceolachan
Portland ~ Seattle...
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
I live in Portland and am starting to learn the Irish bouzouki so if you hear of any beginner's sessions feel free to e-mail me at newzouker@gmail.com. Maybe we can start a network of Portland area musicians (or is there already one??). Thanks!
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by New Zouker
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
At this point, the only “beginners session” is the one at “It’s a Beautiful Pizza”: http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/1098
(Please don’t tell them I said it’s a beginner’s session though!
Your best bet (New Zouker and Cilla) might be Sarah’s house session: http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/42
I haven’t been in ages, but the last I checked there was a good mix of abilities and they’re a very friendly lot, plus it’s a nice relaxed environment and a good way to meet people.
Sarah also controls a big ol’ e-mail list of musicians that’s nice to be on. You can contact her through the link to the session on this site.
As far as a network of musicians, there are enough of us that there are really several different networks (or cliques, if you will), and then there’s the dance community…
Some members of the clique I hang out in started this thing: http://groups.google.com/group/the-session-formally-known-as-biddys?hl=en though we haven’t used it much. There’s a huge tune book of stuff played around PDX posted in the files there. You might have to join to look at it though. Feel free to ask questions there too.
Cilla: Kevin Burke is much less intimidating then you might think, though his lessons don’t come cheap, so you might want to go with someone else until you’re more comfortable. There are so many fiddle players in Portland you shouldn’t have any trouble finding someone you like.
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by rapidbackpeddler
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
There's also George Penk, a fiddler on the contra dance cirtuit, where they use a lot of Irish music. I was told by visitors that he had a group lesson going somewhere in Portland. Also, that the Portland Country Dance group allowed 'sit-ins' for their dances, which would give you that experience, playing for dance, and with more experienced musicians. I also understand they hold regular workshops too, in dance and music.
http://www.tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayIdent.com?key=GEORGE_PENK
http://cdbaby.com/cd/songer2
http://www.portlandcountrydance.org/
Another tale that was told was that there was a 'Beginners Irish Session' across the river in Vancouver, Washington. That information might be dated?
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
I would definitely check out Dan compton or anyone at Artichoke music. You might even check out their website or ask at the store if they know of anything going on. I've found them to be really friendly, and really enthusiastic for someone starting out.
# Posted on February 9th 2008 by mistercliff
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
http://www.artichokemusic.com/index2.htm
Address: 3130 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97214
Telelphone: (503) 232-8845
Yes! I had some daft information that they were no more. I'm glad to see they are still going and hopfully strong...
# Posted on February 9th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
Brongaene Griffin was mentioned to me, but I don't know if she teaches much. If you want a female teacher, she would be worth looking into. http://www.brongaenegriffin.com/
Dan, my teacher, has a large repertoire and is a very non-intimidating gentleman. I've got nothing but good things to say about him. www.glencottagemusic.com
Or you can go to a session or event, find a fiddler whose music you like and ask them if they give lessons.
# Posted on February 10th 2008 by awildman2384
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
http://www.glencottagemusic.com/
Dan Compton is a fine musician and a gentleman scholar...
# Posted on February 10th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
And lest we forget, he sports a wickedly sharp sense of humor.
# Posted on February 11th 2008 by awildman2384
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
Thank you all for your input...who knew there were so many Irish music lovers in Portland (!) Now I feel I've got a few avenues to try. And trying workshops and such would help me get out of my shyness rut.
# Posted on February 11th 2008 by cilla
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
I am starting a studio in portland if you are still in need of a teacher.
www.starfishstudios.com
www.dencecarter.com
# Posted on June 3rd 2011 by fidlmom
Re: Portland, Oregon fiddle teacher?
http://www.bubbaguitar.com/
& I forgot to mention Lisa Ornstein who holds regular classes, and I think usually listed with others on the above website...
Lisa Ornstein & Dan Compton
http://ornsteincompton.com/bio.html
# Posted on June 3rd 2011 by ceolachan