I don't know about anyone else, but I'm curious to learn a little more about the Nyckelharpa!  I have enjoyed learning some Swedish tunes from Emelie Waldken - sometimes she shares tunes on the fiddle, sometimes the nyckelharpa.

Here's a video Bronwyn Bird did a couple years ago to introduce the instrument. 

She plays MUCH more than Swedish music on the Nyckelharpa! 

I'll have to think about some questions to ask Bronwyn, before April! 

I think anyone who plays a string instrument would find this Festival worth attending if you have a Smart Phone, tablet or PC & decent internet service. 

If you are shy or just don't want to be seen on camera, no problem - you can still participate!  Depending on the topic, I sometimes just want to watch & noodle around in private, but ask questions in the chat box. 

I've seen people join in & participate from other Countries, just mind the time zone differences!

Sometimes I think I won't be interested in a workshop - but I'm always surprised by how much I learn that also relates to other areas of fiddling, new perspectives, with helpful tips on playing.  Being able to ask spur-of-the-moment questions & have them answered, while everything is fresh in your mind, is invaluable! 

EVERYONE HERE ON THE FORUM can benefit from watching at least one of these

FREE video workshops available in the link to view before the Festival!

Fiddle Hell Schedule (Draft)

Watch these RIGHT NOW for FREE!

  from the generosity of Dave, Andy, Joy and Jess: 

How to Learn Tunes by Ear with Dave 

Making Sense of Chords 

Basic Bowing Shuffles for Fiddlers 

Playing The 5-string Fiddle 

Learn to Play, Sing, & Dance "Cellosaurus Stomp" 

Moving From Fiddle To Cello - Embracing Your Inner Bear 

Taming Performance Anxiety 

Luthier's Corner: ALL Things Strings 

THEN 

Look at what the rest of the Fiddle Hell Festival Schedule offers for April! 

...sign up for some FUN learning!

@AndieKae -

You can see how laid back the workshops are by checking out the free ones in my previous post link. 

The Fiddle Hell YouTube site has some short intros to last year's April 2022 Fiddle Hell workshops - as it gets closer to the 2023 Festival, more videos will pop up. 

Mics are kept turned off during workshops (except for when the instructor wishes to un-mic everyone), but I really appreciate I can keep my participation private whenever I wish (so no one can see me), but still chat/ask questions... great for if hair's a mess, I'm eating, talking to someone in the house, or playing with the kids/cats while I'm watching & taking notes! 

Another reason these online workshops are so great, some instructors pack in a little more info because they know you can go back over & review it - plus, there's great handouts you can printout or download! 

...and you'd NEVER be able to attend this many workshops (literally ALL of them) if you were attending a LIVE event. 

- Emily

@Ripton -

Too bad you can't take a few days vacation for this fiddle marathon, maybe you can watch the recordings later - they're good to watch until mid-August. 

The only thing about this - you can't access any of the chat box info from during a workshop & you can't ask questions. 

Hope you are at least finding a few minutes to play your viola - miss you here! 

- Emily

@Ripton -

There are great YT tutorials, but there are also fabulous (and famous) fiddlers taking that instruction further online through a Patreon subscription - they can be MUCH more flexible in their lesson structure & may be perfect for you!

MANY, if not known for playing Viola, play 5-string Violin & other string instruments - and will still be able to help you. 

What's great about Fiddle Hell - most of the instructors are willing to help you beyond the festival, so you might be able to get more 'custom' help - best suited for your busy schedule.

See if there isn't someone, you REALLY admire, enjoy listening to their playing AND enjoy their video tutorials.  Then, if they don't already promote it, contact them to see if they have any online group lessons and offer occasional 'one on one' help.  The advantage of recorded group lessons means you can still review if you have to miss one. 

It's great to play different genres of music!  Just because you pick one to start doesn't mean you can't learn others - you don't have to stay with the same teacher, or genre!  ...may be unrealistic to think we'll find the 'perfect', or best, teacher for ourselves as adult learners - nothing wrong with moving on to try a different teacher's approach & perspective.

Listening to music in the genres you like (as much as possible) is VERY important.  It gets you to become familiar/to expect & prepare for feeling characteristics typical of a genre; note patterns/phrasing, rhythms, dynamics & ornaments - even before you start learning. 

What genre would you like to start with? 

Just wanted to mention that REPLAYS FOR ALL are still available to watch for several months!  

Sheet music downloads are usually provided for workshops & jams.

Check out the Schedule!

Info & SIGN UP for REPLAYS!

They had some GREAT NEW INSTRUCTORS this festival and there were MANY MORE CELLO related workshops! 

SO MUCH MORE THAN LEARNING NEW MUSIC!

I haven't had a chance to list my thoughts on the wonderful workshops, concerts & jams I attended at this April's Fiddle Hell Online Festival, yet - will get to it soon. 

You don't have the benefit of asking questions or individualized help, but well worth using the REPLAYS to learn from!