Exploring New Skills at a Fiddle Workshop

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a fiddle workshop in Massachusetts, where some of the legends of the genre—like Darol Anger and Jay Ungar, the composer of Ashokan Farewell—were present. This beautiful piece opens Ken Burns’ The Civil War series and was a favorite in my middle school teaching days, connecting students to the history they were studying.

With a broken bone in my left hand, I couldn’t play as fast as usual, but this limitation turned out to be a gift. It allowed me to focus on my bowing technique, an area that’s quite different in folk music than in classical. Classical bowing is refined, whereas folk and bluegrass demand a rhythmic, earthy feel. It’s been both challenging and exciting to adapt my bowing after 50+ years of classical training to capture that folk sound.

The workshop was filled with inspiring classes and wonderful people. I even got to revisit my jazz background by learning some standards on the fiddle—a new experience that reminded me of my early jazz piano studies. After returning home, I started recording my practice sessions on my phone. Watching my own playing, I noticed how my creative ideas blossomed with the limitations on my left hand. It’s been a refreshing and rewarding way to improve.

I’m grateful for the chance to refine my skills and grow in a new direction. The workshop reminded me that there’s always room to learn, especially when it’s something you love.