I teach violin and fiddle students of all ages and skill levels, one-on-one. I also teach group violin and cello classes in the Greenfield Public Schools, through the Strings for Kids program, as well as Old-Time and Cajun fiddle classes. I love working with Beginners of all ages (currently ranging from 4-65!). I’m a registered Suzuki Method Teacher for Books 1 through 3. Here are some Testimonials from current and former students.
Improvisation and Jazz
I have extensive experience improvising on the violin, from the short “breaks” and backup licks of Bluegrass, Country and Cajun music, to jazz, blues, Turkish/Middle Eastern Taksim (microtonal modal improvisation), free/avant-garde improvisation and more. I’ve been learning these styles with many different teachers and through self-directed listening and study, as well as collaborating with countless musicians, since I was in middle school (30+ years).
In case you’re wondering, improvisation means “making stuff up on the spot,” and I believe that EVERYONE can learn to improvise! Even though improvisation training is not a traditional part of learning to play violin, I believe it has many benefits – namely:
-a deeper understanding of how music works
-the ability to play non-classical music, almost all of which has some improvisational aspects
-the opportunity to jam with other musicians, join a band, and perform without written or memorized notes
I teach students games and simple improv exercises on their instruments, practically from day one. I make sure improvising feels fun, accessible and safe. Then, when students are ready, we start to dig into modes, blues scales, jazz theory, chord changes, grooves etc. I also like to introduce students to recordings of masters of different improvised styles (on violin and other instruments).
I have also lead many improvisation workshops for kids, including leading a week-long improvisation class at Hartsbrook Fiddle Camp.
Old-Time, Country and Cajun Fiddle
I’ve been immersed in the world (worlds?) of traditional American fiddle for the past twenty years or so, starting with my stint as the house fiddler at Bluegrass Night in Montreal. Between travels to Appalachia and Louisiana, countless jams, festivals, farmers markets and square dances, thousands of hours spent busking on street corners/listening to records/staring at the hands of great players/getting advice from said great players… I’m hoping I’ve figured something out by now.
I teach Old-Time and Cajun fiddle tunes in lessons, workshops and classes for kids and adults, and fiddle camps.
Eastern European music
Having grown up with a Balkan-dancing mom and a Klezmer musician dad, I have been listening to (and then playing) the traditional music of different parts of Eastern Europe my whole life. I have had the privilege of studying and collaborating with many great musicians in Klezmer and Greek traditional music in particular. I love sharing this music with students of all ages.
Rafe Wolman 