Fiddle teaching

Melanie DeganMelanie Degan
14:28 20 Jul 23
Bradon is a patient and skilful teacher. I’m returning to violin as an adult learner and Bradon has helped me transition from classical violin to folk fiddle. I’ve really enjoyed learning about the music and history as much as playing and feel I have a really sold grounding in the tradition.
Sarah InmanSarah Inman
08:10 14 May 23
I've had two lessons with Bradon and have already improved beyond what I thought would be possible. He is not only a talented fiddle-player, but also a talented teacher. I have found a love for playing my violin that I thought I'd lost over a decade ago. Thank you Bradon. Highly recommend.
Ceri JonesCeri Jones
09:26 27 Sep 22
I've been learning fiddle with Bradon since the beginning of this year. Bradon is intuitive and is able to identify and appreciate his students' learning style, which facilitates learning. He is friendly, approachable, patient and creative with his teaching style, and gently challenges during every lesson to encourage progression. He is easy to work with, and I thoroughly enjoy my lessons. I've actually recently moved up to South Yorkshire, but would rather continue to have lessons via Zoom with Bradon than find a more local teacher!
David SmithDavid Smith
16:37 29 Aug 22
I'm an adult learning and started as a complete beginner a couple months back with Bradon. He has been an exceptional teacher, adapting his teaching style to cater to the individual. The online workspaces used are a great resource with which I'm able to check out recordings and various information provided by Bradon on the pieces we are currently learning. He has a wealth of knowledge about the Fiddle and its history, which always makes each lesson great! - Highly recommend Bradon to anyone and everyone who is interested in the Fiddle!
Nicola GarwoodNicola Garwood
20:36 03 Aug 22
Bradon has been teaching fiddle to my 5 year old daughter for a number of months. She has made excellent progress and maintained her enthusiasm — this is thanks to Bradon. He is an engaged teacher with a wonderful rapport with children. Bradon is calm, patient, and considered. He adapts the teaching so my daughter can easily understand — giving animal names to the notes / strings and using pictures so that she can play along whilst she starts to learn how to read music. He is reliable and trustworthy. I’m really pleased to have found Bradon and so is my daughter!
Stuart OmondStuart Omond
09:51 29 Jul 22
Bradon is an engaging and patient teacher and his knowledge of folk fiddle playing is second to none. He introduces a new tune at each lesson so you are always learning something new and provides recordings and learning aids online so you don't forget what you've done previously.I'd recommend Bradon for anyone wanting to learn folk fiddle or improve their playing.
Glenda CollierGlenda Collier
15:18 27 Jul 22
Highly recommended! Bradon is an intuitive and flexible teacher - focused on your objectives but gently challenging you as well. He is very patient and creative with how he teaches - I have lessons over zoom but because of his creativity it works really well. I have learnt a lot and feel I have really improved from my lessons.
Julian Hamilton-SmithJulian Hamilton-Smith
09:35 27 Jul 22
Bradon is a remarkable fiddle tutor who has the ability to improve my playing by continually introducing new tunes and new techniques to keep it all fresh and fun. Importantly he does this with patience, good humour and a great personable approach. Bradon has recently introduced a really useful website that I can access whenever I want, holding a history of what we have done and including great downloadable audio and visual resources that just make the whole process much easier for me when I’m practicing at home. Great teacher, great website!
Bernie PrettejohnBernie Prettejohn
19:35 26 Jul 22
Bradon is an incredibly patient and knowledgeable teacher. He has the ability to break down learning the fiddle into a way that makes sense. This is especially helpful as a mature student learning from scratch. The online resources are also really useful, meaning you can be learning and consolidating tunes wherever you are... you don't always need your fiddle with you to be able to learn! Definitely recommend. B
Catherine MichelleCatherine Michelle
13:06 11 Jul 21
Bradon is a patient and friendly tutor who has offered me clear and direct strategies to go about achieving the essence of the traditional fiddle sound. In particular I’ve enjoyed learning how to effectively articulate a tune and ornament it in a way that compliments its points of interest. It has been a pleasure to learn many wonderful new tunes from a deeply knowledgeable tutor who gives them context and makes them come alive.
CharleneCharlene
20:46 29 Jun 21
As an adult beginner Bradon is a fantastic teacher. Excellent communicator, amazing teaching skills and really easy to get on with. He has great patience teaching me and has revived my love of playing fiddle tunes.
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Learn to play the fiddle with an experienced teacher
Take Irish fiddle lessons online, or in person, with me.

Do you want to learn to play the fiddle? I am an experienced and trusted fiddle teacher, with 1000+ hours of individual teaching experience. As a fiddle teacher for Irish (Celtic) fiddle, I can help you improve your playing and get that authentic Irish sound into your playing.

I have been playing the violin for nearly 30 years, and growing up in a folk music family, I have played folk fiddle in the English, Irish and Scottish styles for nearly as long. I am a well known player on the Irish session scene in London, Bristol and Bath, and have spent time playing in Scotland, around Ireland and further afield. I play with a number of Ceilidh bands, including in Bristol and Bath.

I am a classically trained violinist, but I now specialise in playing and teaching folk fiddle. I mainly teach from my home in Bristol (BS4), but can also travel throughout Bristol and Bath (an additional charge may be made depending on distance). I am also available to give online teaching via skype or zoom if you are based elsewhere.

Whether you are a complete beginner, or already an advanced player, if you want to learn to play the fiddle I can help you. I can improve your technique, teach you about the subtleties of phrasing and ornamentation in fiddle playing in different traditions, and build your repertoire of tunes. I can teach orally – learning tunes by ear – but can also teach you to read music if you wish.

I have recently built each of my students an individual online workspace where I can share online learning resources with them including audio and video recordings, sheet music, and learning notes. This allows my students to keep track of what they have been learning with me, and return to tunes and techniques we have learned in the past. As far as I know, this is a unique resource for traditional fiddle students. You can see an example of these workspaces, with just a few example pages, here.

I will also be uploading more free video tutorials to my Youtube page, so do take a look at them as well.

Please contact me if you would be interested in lessons.