Joe Rose
English Fiddle Lessons
Traditional folk music, taught by ear
Lessons
- Always wanted to learn the fiddle but not got around to it?
- Learned a few tunes and want to sound more "folky"?
- Can you play from sheet music, and want to be able to play by ear?
- Have you played a fiddle for years, and want to explore English folk music?
If any of that sounds familiar, you may enjoy learning with me.
I've been immersed in traditional English music since childhood, and have developed my own playing style. Now, I want to teach people how to find theirs. My style does not follow a formal, classical style of playing; instead, we focus on playing by ear, joining in with other people in an informal "session" environment, and putting your own style onto tunes which have been played for hundreds of years.
Learn To Play - Your Way
A focus on what it is you want to learn, what you goals are and the best way to get there together.
Develop Your Style
Looking at the many ways to hold the instrument and what works for you, your individual fiddle and what you want to achieve musically!
Playing By Ear
It's all very well learning to play folk music with sheet music - but that's not what it's all about! We will focus on learning to play by ear, picking up new tunes and listening to your instrument.
Communal Playing, Together
Folk music is meant to be played together! We can work on playing with other people, with a focus on building confidence and joining informal music sessions, jam nights and performing.
Rhythm, Bowing and Ornamentation
How to take a tune, and apply your own style to it using a variety of techniques to make it your own, while keeping the traditional feel.
Learning At Your Speed
Whether you're a complete beginner, or have some experience of playing - we will work out what it is you want to achieve, and get there at a pace you are comfortable with.
Lessons are offered in person within the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire or to the whole world via Teams/Zoom.
Lessons are £30/hr, and can be on a schedule to work with you - weekly, fortnightly or other.
Interested in lessons, or want to have a chat a bit more about what you're looking to achieve? Get in touch today
About
Hi, I'm Joe. I was raised in a highly musical family and active in local folk music and Morris since childhood, learning from an early age to pick up tunes by ear, join in with others and play for dances. Today I am a fiddle and viola player well known within the local folk music scene. I play predominantly traditional English music (but also any other tune that catches my ear!), with a uniquely distinctive style influenced by many well known traditional fiddle players.
One of the things I've always loved about traditional music is the way it is so welcoming, to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. With a basic repertoire of well known tunes, you can join in with groups of people anywhere in the country - whether at a small pub, a festival or in a draughty barn somewhere at a harvest festival! Played by people who aren't professional musicians, often with little or no formal training - it is done purely for the joy of playing music.
"Now and then I got a note just right, and then Mother would throw me a glance... Plump in her slippers, one hand to her cheek, her pan beating time in the other, her hair falling down about her ears, mouth working to help out the tune - old and tired though she was, her eyes were a girl's, and it was for looks such as these that I played"
Cider With Rose, Laurie Lee
Testimonials
Things that people have said about me...
Really lovely tunes, love your style and expression
H
Herefordshire
It's a fantastic thing to do this kind of session and it's a great way to learn all together
R
Monmouth
It's almost as though you're a musician with a one off touch and something individual to say about music... I love that there are still players like you out there
T
Wiltshire
... absolutely everything about your technique is wrong!
W & L
S. Wales
If I had a fiddle Joe, I'd be straight round!
R
Forest Of Dean
Fancy Giving It A Go?
If you'd like to know more about playing English fiddle, I'd love to hear from you.
Tell me a little about yourself, what you'd like to learn and what your current level of playing is.
And if you don't know exactly what you're looking for, we can work that out!
Call
(+44) 07305 875500