I've been lurking for a year or two. I admit it. I've read discussions about when you're too old to start learning fiddle--luckily I was fool enough to begin already--and I've enjoyed lots of other topics. So in spite of coming to the fiddle rather, ahem, late in life at 49, here's where it has led me so far: 6 months fiddle lessons with local hippie old time fiddler; he introduces me to another local geezer learning ITM fiddle at the young age of 45; we pracatice together weekly and discover one day that we both think George Bush is a moron and become fast friends; we muster courage to drive 3 hours up the freeway to Portland for a lesson with Kevin Burke (Hey! He's in the neighborhood!); I end up producing a concert for Kevin Burke in the church down the street; my friend and I keep practicing; I talk an old friend into dusting off his piano accordion and learning some Irish tunes; another guy we know starts joining us every other week on mandolin. So now it's my three year anniversary of fiddling and I still practice. I've made a great friend; I play with a little band of friends every other week; I've produced a concert (with another one coming up in April--Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill); and I check in with The Session most days. So even though I still can't play worth a hill of beans, my fiddling has made my life more interesting.
Wow, yeah, you've made some nice little contacts there, havent ye? good on ya, mate, and stick around for a bit! you can join the rest of the crew in yelling at me
So you're not too far from Eugene. When I lived in Junction City I took lessons from Linda Danielson, who patched me into Kevin Burke. As far as I know, Linda still teaches in the Eugene area (and also at Valley of Moon in CA). Looker her up if you're interested in lessons closer to home between stints with Kevin. And tell her hello from me.
Not too far from Eugene! I live in Roseburg. I forgot to say in my little intro. that I've taken a few lessons from Linda, also. I seem to see her once a year or so at the Applegate House in Yoncalla, during their seasonal festivals. She's strolling the grounds playing fiddle beautifully, whilst my accordion pal and I stroll around the other way, stumbling through our ouevre of seven tunes. Since its only once or twice a year nobody minds too much that we play the same seven tunes. Besides, the accordion drowns me out, right? I patched into Kevin Burke by calling Artichoke Music once and they said "send him an e-mail and set something up", like he wasn't some icon from the Bothy Band and Patrick Street and etc. So I did and it turns out he wasn't, yet he was. And is.
Hey, I started fiddle around the age of 40 I'm 45 now. I haven't played consistantly as the mando distracts me. But hey I'm working at it hard now. I'm determined to get the cuts and rolls. It's the thing that seperates ITM from the other styles of fiddling hands down. Every time I pick it up I start injecting rolls. Never too late.
Hey, snertzy! Glad to see more Oregon persons coming out of lurkdom. We'll have to come up with a secret handshake for the Society of Gortex-Wearing Late Bloomers Who Know Seven Tunes. When & where would this Hayes/Cahill concert be? I would crawl over the mountain on broken glass to be there. (I fervently hope that won't be necessary; the Subaru is much more comfortable....)
thats really cool. Do you know much about the portland fiddle seen? Im a senior in highschool. I just got an acceptance letter from portland state. Im considering going, partly because portland is cool ,and the fiddle scene is suppossed to be awesome.Kevin burke eh? hmmm. Im glad things worked out so nicely for you.
Here's the Ashland info: http://www.oneworldseries.org/
but you should come to Roseburg (where I'm doing this as a volunteer!) so I can sell a ticket! But of course if Ashland is closer. . . .
I don't know much about the Portland fiddle scene, except Kevin Burke is there. And Foghorn String Band is there--for a different kind of fiddling and music--a band apparently quite a hit in Ireland? Their new cd is great, by the way. And you've got Johnny Connolly in Portland, too. If you want to seriously investigate, call Artichoke Music and ask them about the fiddle scene in Portland. I think Biddy McGraw's holds regular sessions. But what do I know? I live in Roseburg.
there are regular sessions on friday nights (alberta street public house) and sunday nights (biddy mcgraws). [Check the session listings on this site for more info.] and i hear that there will be a new session on saturday evening starting up in february at county cork.
when they'e in town, you can catch foghorn string band at moon & sixpence on sunday nights, and johnny connolly there on mondays.
Got the info, thanks!
Snertzy, I can't drive, so Roseburg is no go... :(
RP, you betcha you'll see me there! And of course I'll have to say hello to a fellow fan of a world that only exists because every probability curve has its far end. Not to mention a fellow muso.
Grants Pass?? I remember a guitar store there with a bunch of old guitars upstairs. Is it still there- don't know the name of the store other than being near the motel near the bridge over the Rogue river
Nope.... the only music store in town is larry's over by Freddy's on the parkway... honestly I think the only good music store (at least for one on the trad level) is Cripple Creek in Ashland
It's nice to see there's other ITM musicians down here in Southern Oregon. I'm a whistler here in Klamath Falls; pity towns are hours apart around here.
Andrew
Nice article in today's "Oregonian" about the Portland, Oregon, roots music scene there. A good history of the Foghorn String Band and a tip o' the hat to Kevin Burke and Johnny B. Connolly.
and I'm fascinated by the convergence of ITM/Celtic and American roots music. Kevin Burke has played with some of the members of Foghorn (but I didn't hear them). Then you've got Natalie MacMaster playing with bluegrass folks on her Blueprint CD. And Donal Lunny and Sharon Shannon playing with Ricky Skaggs on the "Live at the Kennedy Center" video. Oh, and Mozaik blends a variety of folk traditions.
What the fiddle can lead to
What the fiddle can lead to
I've been lurking for a year or two. I admit it. I've read discussions about when you're too old to start learning fiddle--luckily I was fool enough to begin already--and I've enjoyed lots of other topics. So in spite of coming to the fiddle rather, ahem, late in life at 49, here's where it has led me so far: 6 months fiddle lessons with local hippie old time fiddler; he introduces me to another local geezer learning ITM fiddle at the young age of 45; we pracatice together weekly and discover one day that we both think George Bush is a moron and become fast friends; we muster courage to drive 3 hours up the freeway to Portland for a lesson with Kevin Burke (Hey! He's in the neighborhood!); I end up producing a concert for Kevin Burke in the church down the street; my friend and I keep practicing; I talk an old friend into dusting off his piano accordion and learning some Irish tunes; another guy we know starts joining us every other week on mandolin. So now it's my three year anniversary of fiddling and I still practice. I've made a great friend; I play with a little band of friends every other week; I've produced a concert (with another one coming up in April--Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill); and I check in with The Session most days. So even though I still can't play worth a hill of beans, my fiddling has made my life more interesting.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by snertzy
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Welcome out of lurkhood, snertzy, and good for you! Hope you'll stick around, you sound a fun addition to our little crew.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
You certainly know how to pick your performers! (And welcome.)
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Welcome.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Unseen122
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Wow, yeah, you've made some nice little contacts there, havent ye? good on ya, mate, and stick around for a bit! you can join the rest of the crew in yelling at me
cheers!
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Bard
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
"Three hour drive up the freeway to Portland"
So you're not too far from Eugene. When I lived in Junction City I took lessons from Linda Danielson, who patched me into Kevin Burke. As far as I know, Linda still teaches in the Eugene area (and also at Valley of Moon in CA). Looker her up if you're interested in lessons closer to home between stints with Kevin. And tell her hello from me.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Will CPT
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Hi Will,
Not too far from Eugene! I live in Roseburg. I forgot to say in my little intro. that I've taken a few lessons from Linda, also. I seem to see her once a year or so at the Applegate House in Yoncalla, during their seasonal festivals. She's strolling the grounds playing fiddle beautifully, whilst my accordion pal and I stroll around the other way, stumbling through our ouevre of seven tunes. Since its only once or twice a year nobody minds too much that we play the same seven tunes. Besides, the accordion drowns me out, right? I patched into Kevin Burke by calling Artichoke Music once and they said "send him an e-mail and set something up", like he wasn't some icon from the Bothy Band and Patrick Street and etc. So I did and it turns out he wasn't, yet he was. And is.
David (aka Snertzy)
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by snertzy
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Roseburg, eh?Then I'm an hour south of you, roughly. Ever come south to Grants Pass?
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Pádraig
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Cool. Kevin's as genuine as they come.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Will CPT
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
What?
Why don't do Hip Hop?
And patronise us all for sticking with old fashioned music?
I really don't think you'll fit in round here . . . .
Only joking snertz. Welcome aboard.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
thats great - fair play to you !
as long as its fun then keep playin!
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Hugo Chavez
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Hey, I started fiddle around the age of 40 I'm 45 now. I haven't played consistantly as the mando distracts me. But hey I'm working at it hard now. I'm determined to get the cuts and rolls. It's the thing that seperates ITM from the other styles of fiddling hands down. Every time I pick it up I start injecting rolls. Never too late.
Salt
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by saltcast
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Like the man says It's never too late to start. I started playing fiddle at age 53, I am now 63 and still enjoying every minute of it.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Bernie
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Hey, snertzy! Glad to see more Oregon persons coming out of lurkdom. We'll have to come up with a secret handshake for the Society of Gortex-Wearing Late Bloomers Who Know Seven Tunes. When & where would this Hayes/Cahill concert be? I would crawl over the mountain on broken glass to be there. (I fervently hope that won't be necessary; the Subaru is much more comfortable....)
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Batlady
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
It's in Ashland, and wild beasties aren't going to keep me away.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Pádraig
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
To be precise: Martin/Dennis are in Portland on April 14; Roseburg on April 15th (hope you can come!) and Ashland on April 16th.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by snertzy
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Whee! it's on my calendar!
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Batlady
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
thats really cool. Do you know much about the portland fiddle seen? Im a senior in highschool. I just got an acceptance letter from portland state. Im considering going, partly because portland is cool ,and the fiddle scene is suppossed to be awesome.Kevin burke eh? hmmm. Im glad things worked out so nicely for you.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by banana512
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
In Ashland. April 16. (scribbles busily)
WHERE in Ashland?
And welcome, Snertzy!
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by sara g
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Hmm... Green Linnet and Hayes' official site say SOU... but not where, so you might wish to give them a call...
Might I be expecting see you there, possibly?
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by Pádraig
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Here's the Ashland info: http://www.oneworldseries.org/
but you should come to Roseburg (where I'm doing this as a volunteer!) so I can sell a ticket! But of course if Ashland is closer. . . .
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by snertzy
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
I don't know much about the Portland fiddle scene, except Kevin Burke is there. And Foghorn String Band is there--for a different kind of fiddling and music--a band apparently quite a hit in Ireland? Their new cd is great, by the way. And you've got Johnny Connolly in Portland, too. If you want to seriously investigate, call Artichoke Music and ask them about the fiddle scene in Portland. I think Biddy McGraw's holds regular sessions. But what do I know? I live in Roseburg.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by snertzy
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
there are *lots* of fiddlers in portland!
there are regular sessions on friday nights (alberta street public house) and sunday nights (biddy mcgraws). [Check the session listings on this site for more info.] and i hear that there will be a new session on saturday evening starting up in february at county cork.
when they'e in town, you can catch foghorn string band at moon & sixpence on sunday nights, and johnny connolly there on mondays.
sarah (in portland)
# Posted on January 15th 2005 by eleyne
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Got the info, thanks!
Not to mention a fellow muso.
Snertzy, I can't drive, so Roseburg is no go... :(
RP, you betcha you'll see me there! And of course I'll have to say hello to a fellow fan of a world that only exists because every probability curve has its far end.
# Posted on January 15th 2005 by sara g
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Good for you! I started playing fiddle at 14 and people told me I was too old to learn. You are never too old to play the fiddle!
# Posted on January 15th 2005 by luv2fiddle
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Whippersnapper!
I started two years ago....
# Posted on January 15th 2005 by Pádraig
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Well, fiddlemouse, there will probably be three of us then, cos my girlfriend will be there too, as she likes the music as much as I do.
# Posted on January 15th 2005 by Pádraig
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Grants Pass?? I remember a guitar store there with a bunch of old guitars upstairs. Is it still there- don't know the name of the store other than being near the motel near the bridge over the Rogue river
# Posted on January 15th 2005 by I_Fel
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Nope.... the only music store in town is larry's over by Freddy's on the parkway... honestly I think the only good music store (at least for one on the trad level) is Cripple Creek in Ashland
# Posted on January 15th 2005 by Pádraig
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
It's nice to see there's other ITM musicians down here in Southern Oregon. I'm a whistler here in Klamath Falls; pity towns are hours apart around here.
Andrew
# Posted on January 16th 2005 by Andrew Plett
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Nice article in today's "Oregonian" about the Portland, Oregon, roots music scene there. A good history of the Foghorn String Band and a tip o' the hat to Kevin Burke and Johnny B. Connolly.
# Posted on January 16th 2005 by snertzy
Re: What the fiddle can lead to
Oops. The link to the article is http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/11057942219420.xml
and I'm fascinated by the convergence of ITM/Celtic and American roots music. Kevin Burke has played with some of the members of Foghorn (but I didn't hear them). Then you've got Natalie MacMaster playing with bluegrass folks on her Blueprint CD. And Donal Lunny and Sharon Shannon playing with Ricky Skaggs on the "Live at the Kennedy Center" video. Oh, and Mozaik blends a variety of folk traditions.
# Posted on January 16th 2005 by snertzy