Yep, that’s me, FAQ — Fun And Quirky. Wait, what? It means Frequently Asked Questions? If you say so…

What’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin?
That depends on whether or not it has any duct tape on it.

How long are lessons?
Lessons are a half hour long, held once every week. But that’s just teacher-time! Beginner students are expected to put in an absolute bare minimum of 15 minutes of practice, 4-5 days a week inbetween lessons. This is where your real development and learning happens, and helps you come back to each lesson ready to present your progress and advance to the next step each week! As a student’s skills progress, practice time is expected to increase to 30 minutes per day, 5-6 days a week, and advanced students who wish to be masterful at their instrument should make time for 30-90 minutes of practice per day, 5-6 days per week. (Most music universities expect 2-6 hours of daily practice from music majors, just to add even more perspective!)

If that much time is starting to sound scary, remember that part of your daily practice routine should always include playing repertoire you already know and love. Time can really fly when you’re playing the pieces that make your heart sing!

But really, is there a difference between a fiddle and a violin?
That depends on whether or not it’s ever had beer spilled on it.

What’s included in your syllabus?
I include a thorough foundation in theory as well as learning by ear and sight-reading. Students will be expected to memorize tunes, develop excellent timing, and learn the foundations of chords and improvisation, as well as offered the chance to play in group settings via our student sessions (informal music jams) and summer and Christmas recitals.

So there’s no difference between a violin and a fiddle?
Well, one has “strings” on it and the other has “strangs.”

Do I need to have an instrument before coming to lessons?
Yes, all students are required to have their own instrument to practice on daily at home. Rentals are fairly easy to come by if you don’t want to fully commit to owning an instrument right off. If you do want to purchase your own right away, please don’t hesitate to ask me for advice and help finding a good instrument within your price range! Beginners often go for the cheapest outfit possible, but sometimes the cheapest option will hold the student back due to poor instrument quality.
However, even after all that, my bottom line will always be that any instrument that gets a student started is a good instrument!

…And there really isn’t a difference between a fiddle and a violin. The instrument is the exact same, but people will often refer to it as a “violin” when playing classical style and a “fiddle” when playing folk styles.