The importance of immersing yourself in music...

7/27/17

When thinking of my book the Bridge and its message: bridging the gap and connecting violin and fiddle worlds…

The word or phrase “to immerse oneself” comes to mind.  It brings me to the statement I deeply believe in: if you want to play a certain style of music, you can.  No matter the style: the key is learning about the style and its characteristics.  Then practice and – here it is – immersing.  We cannot approach another style without flexibility however and an understanding of that style.  Key to that flexibility is, without doubt, training; training in technique and discipline to keep the technique in good and better shape. 

This summer I had the tremendous opportunity to attend a fiddle camp of Nordic fiddling.  The instructors were fiddlers of top level.  They were from The Shetlands, Denmark, Finland and the USA (teaching Scottish fiddle music).  No matter my connection with bluegrass and old time fiddling, this type of fiddling was fairly new to me.  There were plenty of similarities with all other styles, including classical or baroque music.  However, my strengths are in learning and playing classical music.  Life has given me interest in fiddling, yet not the opportunity to immerse myself enough in fiddling.  I accompanied a couple of my students to the camp where they “blossomed.” They had the opportunity to immerse themselves in fiddling.  I loved it. We were taught in a fast pace…the aural tradition: listen, watch and follow.  No sheet music was at hand.  My brain was suffering because of learning aurally a host of tunes in rapid succession.  Of course I was dealing with the factor of being older.  Yet, it was a great opportunity to learn the feel of the tune and the feel of the music.  I felt a novice.  Yet, with more time my technique will carry me.  Additionally, I currently have great pleasure revisiting the personal recordings I made of the sessions.  I can see where I can connect with my training and the given material. 

I noticed that these top fiddlers have an impeccable technique, sound and musicality.  They surely have the base of that discipline of practice that gives them great flexibility.  I was in awe and can only recommend my colleagues, violinists, visit this and/or other camps.  The music is more than worth it and there is so much to learn from fiddlers as I had the pleasure and fortune to meet.

Thank you West-Denmark Fiddle School and thank you: Hanneke Cassel, Harald Haugaard, Antti Järvelä and Kevin Henderson for a most wonderful experience.