Hello all. I have been reading the discussions for a few months now and finally became a member. Great site with lots of info. I have been playing fiddle for about 4 years and ITM for about the past 3. Lately I've had an urge to learn some Cape Breton tunes. I bought the Natalie MacMaster DVD and learned a couple tunes from it. It is pretty good. My question is this. I will be attending the Port Townsend (WA) Fiddle Tunes Festval in July and Jerry Holland and Liz Carroll are two of the instructors. I've checked The Session and other locations on the net and found nothing but good about Holland and Carroll. I'm torn between Irish and Cape Breton at this time, but wanted focus on just one at the fiddle festival. If you had to pick one of them to spend the week with learning tunes/style, which one would you choose?
My wife reports that Liz is a great teacher (she attended a workshop with her a few years ago). Jerry is a mighty fiddler and I hear a good guy, but I can't speak on his teaching abilities.
A born teacher (my fiddler friends tell me) with stunning technique and a wonderful personality. Can't go wrong with Liz Carroll. Then it's up to you to use her teaching to play Cape Breton or Slovenian waltzes. Jerry Holland is a master fiddler, I haven't heard anything about his teaching. Sure love his music though.
Wrigley Field bleachers weighing in on this. Liz Carroll.
I am not not a fiddler, but have worked with many. Here technique is awsome. Heard her ITM. It is superb. And have watched her improv with ensembles. Very humbling.
If I were looking for a world class instructor, she has to be one of them.
I'm not a fiddler, but I have attended classes from both of them. Both are good teachers and both are a lot of fun to be around. Here you will just have to make a decision about what kind of music you want to learn.
One thing, Jerry Holland is not going to be as available as a teacher as much as Liz Carroll. Liz will be teaching at Irishfest this year and usually her classes are over full with poachers (I poached both classes in the past, I usually tell people I am a parent - which I am- just not the parent of the many overly talented children in the class.)
Jerry teaches tunes and technique by having you repeat the portions of the tunes until you get the tune. Liz has a slightly different more laid back approach.
Liz Carroll is a wonderful teacher/player and person however if you want to learn Cape Breton tunes Jerry Holland is the one to go to, not sure if Liz plays much Cape Breton music, she'd mainly teach her own compositions and her own versions of trad tunes as far as I know.
I've taken a class with Jerry and know someone who's studied with him extensively...he's also a really great teacher, one of the most relaxed, fun fiddle classes I've ever taken. Then, my sister also took a class with Liz and enjoyed it a lot...
So basically, I am useless because I would be no more able than you to choose in this situation!
I've done workshops with both of them. They're both great teachers, they tell good stories, and they have fun. Whoever you chose, you are bound to learn a lot. Also, since its a week long event, you will have plenty of chances to talk to both of them, hear them play in different venues, and go to sessions where they're playing. So, even if you choose one's workshops, you will still get a lot of exposure to the other - not to mention the dozens and dozens of other great musicians who will be there. Probably not much help. I envy you the experience you will have at Fiddle Tunes. I wish I were able to go this year. Have a great time.
Thank you all for your informative replies. I'll probably make up my mind the day classes start! Thanks again for taking the time to give me your thoughts.
I'll second John's comments. I'm a guitar player, not a fiddler, but I hung around with them at Swannanoa, sat in on a few of Liz's classes, and took Jerry's class to improve my understanding of the Cape Breton tradition.
They're both good teachers, as well as being funny and plain good folks. You wouldn't go wrong with either one, so the decider should be which tradition you're finding of more interest at the moment.
Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
Hello all. I have been reading the discussions for a few months now and finally became a member. Great site with lots of info. I have been playing fiddle for about 4 years and ITM for about the past 3. Lately I've had an urge to learn some Cape Breton tunes. I bought the Natalie MacMaster DVD and learned a couple tunes from it. It is pretty good. My question is this. I will be attending the Port Townsend (WA) Fiddle Tunes Festval in July and Jerry Holland and Liz Carroll are two of the instructors. I've checked The Session and other locations on the net and found nothing but good about Holland and Carroll. I'm torn between Irish and Cape Breton at this time, but wanted focus on just one at the fiddle festival. If you had to pick one of them to spend the week with learning tunes/style, which one would you choose?
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by nole
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
Liz is a great instructor, patient, detailed and humorous... Both are fine fiddlers...
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
beware though, according to some, Liz Carroll doesn't play Irish music 'cause she doesn't live in Ireland.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
Just as all these Cape Breton players don't play Scottish music 'cause they don't live in Scotland.
Actually, you'll also get many who argue that Cape Breton fiddling is the "true Scottish style" of fiddling which is just as arrogant, in my opinion.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by Johannes J
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
My wife reports that Liz is a great teacher (she attended a workshop with her a few years ago). Jerry is a mighty fiddler and I hear a good guy, but I can't speak on his teaching abilities.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
Liz- had 2 workshps with her; great teacher and a CUBS fan!!
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by I_Fel
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
A born teacher (my fiddler friends tell me) with stunning technique and a wonderful personality. Can't go wrong with Liz Carroll. Then it's up to you to use her teaching to play Cape Breton or Slovenian waltzes. Jerry Holland is a master fiddler, I haven't heard anything about his teaching. Sure love his music though.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by pennhorse
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
Wrigley Field bleachers weighing in on this. Liz Carroll.
I am not not a fiddler, but have worked with many. Here technique is awsome. Heard her ITM. It is superb. And have watched her improv with ensembles. Very humbling.
If I were looking for a world class instructor, she has to be one of them.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
I'm not a fiddler, but I have attended classes from both of them. Both are good teachers and both are a lot of fun to be around. Here you will just have to make a decision about what kind of music you want to learn.
One thing, Jerry Holland is not going to be as available as a teacher as much as Liz Carroll. Liz will be teaching at Irishfest this year and usually her classes are over full with poachers (I poached both classes in the past, I usually tell people I am a parent - which I am- just not the parent of the many overly talented children in the class.)
Jerry teaches tunes and technique by having you repeat the portions of the tunes until you get the tune. Liz has a slightly different more laid back approach.
MIke Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
Liz Carroll is a wonderful teacher/player and person however if you want to learn Cape Breton tunes Jerry Holland is the one to go to, not sure if Liz plays much Cape Breton music, she'd mainly teach her own compositions and her own versions of trad tunes as far as I know.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by portnabpucai
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
"beware though, according to some, Liz Carroll doesn't play Irish music 'cause she doesn't live in Ireland."
I don't know who says this, but it may be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by alison kale
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
Ahhh, for a few seconds, the world lives in peace. I, being a Cards fan, agree with my fellow Chicago Cubs fans in choosing Liz Carroll.
I do agree that Jerry's playing is awesome, and the decision is a personal one.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by nofrets
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
I've taken a class with Jerry and know someone who's studied with him extensively...he's also a really great teacher, one of the most relaxed, fun fiddle classes I've ever taken. Then, my sister also took a class with Liz and enjoyed it a lot...
So basically, I am useless because I would be no more able than you to choose in this situation!
# Posted on April 28th 2007 by possumawesome
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
I've done workshops with both of them. They're both great teachers, they tell good stories, and they have fun. Whoever you chose, you are bound to learn a lot. Also, since its a week long event, you will have plenty of chances to talk to both of them, hear them play in different venues, and go to sessions where they're playing. So, even if you choose one's workshops, you will still get a lot of exposure to the other - not to mention the dozens and dozens of other great musicians who will be there. Probably not much help. I envy you the experience you will have at Fiddle Tunes. I wish I were able to go this year. Have a great time.
# Posted on April 28th 2007 by John Culhane
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
Thank you all for your informative replies. I'll probably make up my mind the day classes start! Thanks again for taking the time to give me your thoughts.
# Posted on April 28th 2007 by nole
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
I'm a Tigers fan and I'd still go with Liz Carroll.
# Posted on April 28th 2007 by alison kale
Re: Jerrry Holland or Liz Carroll
I'll second John's comments. I'm a guitar player, not a fiddler, but I hung around with them at Swannanoa, sat in on a few of Liz's classes, and took Jerry's class to improve my understanding of the Cape Breton tradition.
They're both good teachers, as well as being funny and plain good folks. You wouldn't go wrong with either one, so the decider should be which tradition you're finding of more interest at the moment.
Jeff
# Posted on April 29th 2007 by jeff_willner