I am going to Tionol in St. Louis this weekend and I am taking the Dale Russ fiddle workshop. Anyone have any experience with him? Anyone else taking his workshop or will all you fiddlers be over the way with Tommy Peoples?
I took his class at Swanannoa about 4 years ago. He was very nice, but very boring. He spent a great deal of time starring at us and smiling. I can't even remember what we learned.
He's a good fiddler-- but I'm not sure I got anything out of his class. Oh yeah, he gave us some scale exercises for bowing across measures which I still have. I might be wrong here, but I think he was classically trained.
Thanks for the honest feedback, though- I appreciate it. By the way, I love your weblog idea. Let me know if you ever make it to Iowa. I could hook you up with some fun sessions.
I don't think Dale was classically trained, but started playing bluegrass (or was it American old-tyme?) first. In any case, he's surely one of the best American exponents of Irish fiddle you'll find. A friend gave me a tape of a workshop from the mid-1980s wherein Dale plays a pile of session standards at speed then slows them right down so you can hear every ornament and it's execution very clearly, while at the same time retaining the pulse of the tune. I learned an awful lot from it.
By the way, fiddle-around, instead of letting him sit and stare at you, why wouldn't you have taken the opportunity to ask him a question or two?
When I was learning to play, there was a CCE session in Seattle. There were about a dozen of us learning to play at about the same time. We would show up every week and bang out our tunes and struggle to figure out what we were doing. Dale was there pretty much every week to help guide us through. I learned a lot from Dale. I still listen to tapes I made of him playing and continue to learn from him, even though I rarely see him or hear him play anymore.
I recommend you go to the workshop with an open mind and the idea that you can get what YOU want from the workshop. Your experience is going to be different from mine and from fiddle_around's.
Jack played with Dale -- I'm hoping he'll have some comments for you. I only know one of Dale's students, but he's stellar, so perhaps fiddle_around's experience wasn't typical. As John says, go with an open mind and be willing to learn whatever Dale's teaching.
Katherine, Paul, John, & Zina- thanks so much. It helps to have varied feedback. John- i noticed that Dale made it into your bio. That bodes well for him.
Dale's a great fiddler- and a good teacher. What do you do when you have six students, 4 barely know which end of the bow to use, 1 is developing, and one is advanced? Watching him give my daughter tips, he was friendly, open, and respectful. He doesn't try to be larger than life. My daughter took away some valuable insight from that session, and understands it's up to her to progress.
I was a teacher in a past life (up until 2 months ago) so your feedback on his teaching skills means a lot to me. Teaching music requires a particular structure of thought and a deep reserve of patience (that I no longer possess). I am looking forward to meeting him.
I have never taken a fiddle workshop from Dale, so I don't have anything useful to add. I will tell you that at the music camp we both teach at, and where we met, he has a very loyal and devoted following. He has amazing patients, and never failed at being supportive and encouraging. I remember he would also devote one entire day of the camp to what he called a "fiddle salon" where students could come whenever they liked and ask whatever they wanted for a one-on-one response. People found it very useful and Dale very accommodating.
As a fiddler, I have never played with a better one. Martin Hayes invited me to play on stage with him once, and I'd say that came very close. But my favorite musical moments have been when playing with Dale. I've heard some fiddlers complain that he's too "perfect," but the people who said that didn't have very good intonation and played un-evenly. Dale is a perfectionist, but he's very musical. And one of the most genuine and humble gentleman that I've had the pleasure to meet and play tunes with.
"He spent a great deal of time starring at us and smiling." - fiddle_around
All I can say about this is that you must be extremely good looking.
My posting wasn't meant to be a slight to Dale. When I first started doing Irish fiddle, I was very shy and unsure of everything; even speaking to teachers--you're right, I'm sure I said nothing to him.
In Dale's defence, he was on the other side of the country (NC) teaching a group of self -enrolled intermediate fiddle students of all ages. This has to be a tough job for any teacher. Obviously, he had materials, I just don't remember him being very helpful, partly because he seemed to be very shy himself and quiet.
Personally, I work much better with an agressive teacher ie Seamus Connelly, Brian Conway, Siobhan Peoples--all of whom I've studied with and although I don't agree with everything they play, I thought they were all fantastic musicians and excellent teachers. Some people don't like them I'm sure! Different people are naturally attracted to different people.
In retrospect, if I had made a point to speak with Dale; to be more outspoken myself, I'm sure he would have been accomidating. As I said earlier, he was a very nice man.
Wasn't it Kevin Burke who called Dale Russ one of the best Irish fiddlers he'd ever played with? Can't quite remember who that was, off hand -- might've been Seamus Connolly...
Kevin Bernhagen is playing with Tipsy House presently, and he just happens to be one of Dale's star students. Kevin studied with Dale at Lark Camp for many years in the mid 80s and early 90s. That' has given him a great ability to pay close attention to detail without compromising the music. I enjoy very much playing with him as well.
I can't speak to whether Dale Russ is a good explainer or not, because my first experience with him as a teacher will be this coming weekend. I've been after Mike Mullins, the organizer of the St. Louis tionol, to bring Dale in to teach, even though I recognize that Dale is not a well known name. He deserves to be, in my opinion.
I first encountered Dale on a lovely cut of him playing Humors of Ballyloughlin on the Boston College Fiddle Festival CD. From then on, I sought out his work, and was rewarded mightily.
Jack, I find it interesting that you say, "As a fiddler, I've never played with a better one. Martin Hayes invited me to play on stage with him once, and I'd say that came very close."
I've always been a great admirer of Martin Hayes, both musically and personally; in 2000, my piper husband and I attended the West Coast tionol, which was in Seattle that year. Martin played solo in an evening concert, and so did Dale. Afterwards, they were both hanging around the back of the room at Conor Byrnes, and I approached them and told Martin he was going to have to move over on the pedestal I'd built for him, and let Dale share the space. I'd always recognized that Dale had fantastic technique and lovely lift and a very authentic sound, but what really blew me away that night was the magnificence of his variations. He was immensely creative with the tunes, all the while never ranging into any other genre or ranging annoyingly far from the tune itself. It was brilliant. And, yes, he seems a very quiet and humble man, which always enhances a musician in my eyes.
If I had the opportunity to work as closely with Martin as I have with Dale I'm sure I would hold him in the same regard as I do Dale. Both of them have more in common than what you see on the surface. In the time that I've gotten to know Martin I have to say he has the same sort of personal qualities I find in Dale. Besides both being brilliant fiddlers, they both are honest, generous and trustworthy. Dale’s only weakness is that he tends to stare at beautiful women. He has got the drooling under control now though.
Off the topic i know sorry but man your lucky. I would give anything to play with Martin Hayes, he's my favourite fiddler, ever. Saw him play at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.
Like the proverbial book, a workshop is like a mirror--what you get is often what you bring to it.
I first saw and heard Dale fiddle in the '70s. Among others, like Mike Saunders, he helped cement my life long infatuation of "Celtic" music.
Along with being a great fiddler, he is an incredibly nice guy. His last name might not be connected with some old family from Donegal or Clare, but there is nothing stuck up about him either. He'll never tell you to stop playing in a session. If you need help, he'll show you what to do.
Let's see now. He stare's at beautiful women,has great variations,is shy and introverted,can hold his own with Martinese("zat great spainish fideele player!).Is this guy human?????
"fiddle_around- she is very lovely indeed (pic on the blog is beautiful)"
Can I, ummmmmm, get a decent version of the picture? Nothing freaky or anything, I just want to, ummmm, stare at it for awhile.
Frankly, I'd be more concerned about Dale's character if he *didn't* stare.
fiddle_around, I understand intellectually that being beautiful can be a real pain sometimes, but I'm afraid it's not a problem I can entirely internalize, what with looking like Ringo Starr on a bad hair day. There was this one woman who followed me around for a couple of years though. I eventually had to marry her to get rid of her. Worked like a charm.
Oh, and it's hard to believe you're not quite six yet. You must be one of them thar "early developers." Either that or you're 105 and *very* well preserved.
Kerri's still got you beat in the tooth department though.
Tell me about Dale Russ
Tell me about Dale Russ
Hello hello,
I am going to Tionol in St. Louis this weekend and I am taking the Dale Russ fiddle workshop. Anyone have any experience with him? Anyone else taking his workshop or will all you fiddlers be over the way with Tommy Peoples?
Thanks,
Tara
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by FiddleMama
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
I took his class at Swanannoa about 4 years ago. He was very nice, but very boring. He spent a great deal of time starring at us and smiling. I can't even remember what we learned.
He's a good fiddler-- but I'm not sure I got anything out of his class. Oh yeah, he gave us some scale exercises for bowing across measures which I still have. I might be wrong here, but I think he was classically trained.
I hope he's not reading this post! Sorry Dale!
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by fiddle_around
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Damn. That sucks.
Thanks for the honest feedback, though- I appreciate it. By the way, I love your weblog idea. Let me know if you ever make it to Iowa. I could hook you up with some fun sessions.
Take care,
Tara
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by FiddleMama
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
I don't think Dale was classically trained, but started playing bluegrass (or was it American old-tyme?) first. In any case, he's surely one of the best American exponents of Irish fiddle you'll find. A friend gave me a tape of a workshop from the mid-1980s wherein Dale plays a pile of session standards at speed then slows them right down so you can hear every ornament and it's execution very clearly, while at the same time retaining the pulse of the tune. I learned an awful lot from it.
By the way, fiddle-around, instead of letting him sit and stare at you, why wouldn't you have taken the opportunity to ask him a question or two?
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by Pawl
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Yay! Hope springs eternal!
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by FiddleMama
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Just to give you another point of view --
When I was learning to play, there was a CCE session in Seattle. There were about a dozen of us learning to play at about the same time. We would show up every week and bang out our tunes and struggle to figure out what we were doing. Dale was there pretty much every week to help guide us through. I learned a lot from Dale. I still listen to tapes I made of him playing and continue to learn from him, even though I rarely see him or hear him play anymore.
I recommend you go to the workshop with an open mind and the idea that you can get what YOU want from the workshop. Your experience is going to be different from mine and from fiddle_around's.
I hope you have fun.
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by John Culhane
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Jack played with Dale -- I'm hoping he'll have some comments for you. I only know one of Dale's students, but he's stellar, so perhaps fiddle_around's experience wasn't typical. As John says, go with an open mind and be willing to learn whatever Dale's teaching.
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Katherine, Paul, John, & Zina- thanks so much. It helps to have varied feedback. John- i noticed that Dale made it into your bio. That bodes well for him.
Can you tell I'm chained to my computer today?
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by FiddleMama
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Let's hear what Mr. Gilder has to say. I know he plays with Mr. Russ in Jody's Heaven.
http://pweb.jps.net/~jgilder/jody7.html
I am taking the Tommy Peoples workshop myself. See ya in Saint Louis!
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by RogueFiddler
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Dale's a great fiddler- and a good teacher. What do you do when you have six students, 4 barely know which end of the bow to use, 1 is developing, and one is advanced? Watching him give my daughter tips, he was friendly, open, and respectful. He doesn't try to be larger than life. My daughter took away some valuable insight from that session, and understands it's up to her to progress.
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by rainog
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
I was a teacher in a past life (up until 2 months ago) so your feedback on his teaching skills means a lot to me. Teaching music requires a particular structure of thought and a deep reserve of patience (that I no longer possess). I am looking forward to meeting him.
Thanks again,
Tara
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by FiddleMama
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
I have never taken a fiddle workshop from Dale, so I don't have anything useful to add. I will tell you that at the music camp we both teach at, and where we met, he has a very loyal and devoted following. He has amazing patients, and never failed at being supportive and encouraging. I remember he would also devote one entire day of the camp to what he called a "fiddle salon" where students could come whenever they liked and ask whatever they wanted for a one-on-one response. People found it very useful and Dale very accommodating.
As a fiddler, I have never played with a better one. Martin Hayes invited me to play on stage with him once, and I'd say that came very close. But my favorite musical moments have been when playing with Dale. I've heard some fiddlers complain that he's too "perfect," but the people who said that didn't have very good intonation and played un-evenly. Dale is a perfectionist, but he's very musical. And one of the most genuine and humble gentleman that I've had the pleasure to meet and play tunes with.
"He spent a great deal of time starring at us and smiling." - fiddle_around
All I can say about this is that you must be extremely good looking.
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Jack- thank you so much. An on another note, I really like your Tipsy House music and its accompanying website.
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by FiddleMama
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Oh and re: fiddle_around- she is very lovely indeed (pic on the blog is beautiful) so I think you may be on to something...
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by FiddleMama
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Hey Paul,
My posting wasn't meant to be a slight to Dale. When I first started doing Irish fiddle, I was very shy and unsure of everything; even speaking to teachers--you're right, I'm sure I said nothing to him.
In Dale's defence, he was on the other side of the country (NC) teaching a group of self -enrolled intermediate fiddle students of all ages. This has to be a tough job for any teacher. Obviously, he had materials, I just don't remember him being very helpful, partly because he seemed to be very shy himself and quiet.
Personally, I work much better with an agressive teacher ie Seamus Connelly, Brian Conway, Siobhan Peoples--all of whom I've studied with and although I don't agree with everything they play, I thought they were all fantastic musicians and excellent teachers. Some people don't like them I'm sure! Different people are naturally attracted to different people.
In retrospect, if I had made a point to speak with Dale; to be more outspoken myself, I'm sure he would have been accomidating. As I said earlier, he was a very nice man.
Katherine
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by fiddle_around
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Wasn't it Kevin Burke who called Dale Russ one of the best Irish fiddlers he'd ever played with? Can't quite remember who that was, off hand -- might've been Seamus Connolly...
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Thanks Tara, that's a very generous thing to say.
Kevin Bernhagen is playing with Tipsy House presently, and he just happens to be one of Dale's star students. Kevin studied with Dale at Lark Camp for many years in the mid 80s and early 90s. That' has given him a great ability to pay close attention to detail without compromising the music. I enjoy very much playing with him as well.
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
I'd worship at Kevin's furry little feet if I could, but he's so shy he'd probably run away. ;)
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Yea Zina, it's not that he's shy -- it's just that he doesn't like it when you drool on his toes.
hahaha
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
LOL -- I suppose, probably aggravates the moss problem between his tootsies...!
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
I can't speak to whether Dale Russ is a good explainer or not, because my first experience with him as a teacher will be this coming weekend. I've been after Mike Mullins, the organizer of the St. Louis tionol, to bring Dale in to teach, even though I recognize that Dale is not a well known name. He deserves to be, in my opinion.
I first encountered Dale on a lovely cut of him playing Humors of Ballyloughlin on the Boston College Fiddle Festival CD. From then on, I sought out his work, and was rewarded mightily.
Jack, I find it interesting that you say, "As a fiddler, I've never played with a better one. Martin Hayes invited me to play on stage with him once, and I'd say that came very close."
I've always been a great admirer of Martin Hayes, both musically and personally; in 2000, my piper husband and I attended the West Coast tionol, which was in Seattle that year. Martin played solo in an evening concert, and so did Dale. Afterwards, they were both hanging around the back of the room at Conor Byrnes, and I approached them and told Martin he was going to have to move over on the pedestal I'd built for him, and let Dale share the space. I'd always recognized that Dale had fantastic technique and lovely lift and a very authentic sound, but what really blew me away that night was the magnificence of his variations. He was immensely creative with the tunes, all the while never ranging into any other genre or ranging annoyingly far from the tune itself. It was brilliant. And, yes, he seems a very quiet and humble man, which always enhances a musician in my eyes.
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by bogeyman
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
If I had the opportunity to work as closely with Martin as I have with Dale I'm sure I would hold him in the same regard as I do Dale. Both of them have more in common than what you see on the surface. In the time that I've gotten to know Martin I have to say he has the same sort of personal qualities I find in Dale. Besides both being brilliant fiddlers, they both are honest, generous and trustworthy. Dale’s only weakness is that he tends to stare at beautiful women. He has got the drooling under control now though.
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Off the topic i know sorry but man your lucky. I would give anything to play with Martin Hayes, he's my favourite fiddler, ever. Saw him play at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.
# Posted on April 7th 2005 by ecidralla
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Like the proverbial book, a workshop is like a mirror--what you get is often what you bring to it.
I first saw and heard Dale fiddle in the '70s. Among others, like Mike Saunders, he helped cement my life long infatuation of "Celtic" music.
Along with being a great fiddler, he is an incredibly nice guy. His last name might not be connected with some old family from Donegal or Clare, but there is nothing stuck up about him either. He'll never tell you to stop playing in a session. If you need help, he'll show you what to do.
# Posted on April 8th 2005 by bellows boy
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
Let's see now. He stare's at beautiful women,has great variations,is shy and introverted,can hold his own with Martinese("zat great spainish fideele player!).Is this guy human?????
# Posted on April 8th 2005 by downey
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
http://www.irishfiddle.com/russ.html
http://www.irishfiddle.com/russinterview.html
There's a couple MP3s and an interview up there - you can get yourself all psyched up, tara.
# Posted on April 8th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Tell me about Dale Russ
"fiddle_around- she is very lovely indeed (pic on the blog is beautiful)"
Can I, ummmmmm, get a decent version of the picture? Nothing freaky or anything, I just want to, ummmm, stare at it for awhile.
Frankly, I'd be more concerned about Dale's character if he *didn't* stare.
fiddle_around, I understand intellectually that being beautiful can be a real pain sometimes, but I'm afraid it's not a problem I can entirely internalize, what with looking like Ringo Starr on a bad hair day. There was this one woman who followed me around for a couple of years though. I eventually had to marry her to get rid of her. Worked like a charm.
Oh, and it's hard to believe you're not quite six yet. You must be one of them thar "early developers." Either that or you're 105 and *very* well preserved.
Kerri's still got you beat in the tooth department though.
KFG
# Posted on April 9th 2005 by KFG