Free Introductory Lesson
Fiddle Lessons in Colorado Springs, Taught by a Bluegrass Player
Fiddle music is made for joining in. Whether it’s a hard-driving bluegrass breakdown, a lilting Irish jig, a Texas-style waltz, or an old-time tune at a Saturday jam, the fiddle is the voice that carries the melody. Learn bluegrass, Celtic, old-time, or country fiddle from George Willis, who plays fiddle, banjo, and mandolin in bluegrass bands and is a classically trained violinist, at our studio on North Academy Blvd near Union. Your first lesson is free, so you can meet George and see how lessons work before you commit. Our fiddlers come from Manitou Springs D14, Falcon D49, Widefield D3 and everywhere in between, and many also play violin in their school orchestra.
Who Fiddle Lessons Are For
- Beginners who want to play bluegrass, folk, Celtic, or country music rather than classical
- Classical violinists who want to learn to play by ear, improvise, and find the groove that fiddle music is known for
- Kids and teens. Fiddles come in small fractional sizes, so young players can start on an instrument that fits them.
- Musicians who want to keep up at bluegrass and old-time jams
- Adults who played violin as kids and want to try fiddle tunes
From First Tunes to Your First Jam
Every lesson follows the styles you care about most, whether that’s bluegrass, Celtic, or old-time. Most students work through:
- Bow, posture, and first tunes. A comfortable setup, a clear and steady tone, and simple tunes learned by ear, with reading music alongside.
- The fiddle sound. Bowing patterns, shuffles, and droning strings that give bluegrass, Celtic, and old-time fiddle their drive.
- Ornaments, including slides, double stops, and the cuts and rolls of Irish and Scottish fiddling
- Backup playing. The bluegrass chop and other backup, so you sound great when someone else takes the lead.
- Improvising breaks and making a tune your own
- Jamming skills. Common jam tunes and keys, and how to follow along when someone calls a tune you don’t know yet.
Every student moves at their own pace. Learning fiddle by ear is fun, and seeing a teacher each week keeps your bow hold and posture relaxed as your tunes get faster.
Meet Your Fiddle Teacher
George Willis
George plays fiddle, banjo, and mandolin in bluegrass bands, so lessons are grounded in how the music is actually played at a jam: the tunes, the backup, and the drive.
Bluegrass and Classical
George is also a classically trained violinist. He trained at the CU Boulder College of Music, served as concertmaster of the CU Boulder Symphony, and plays as a substitute with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. That mix makes him a natural fit for classical players crossing over to fiddle, and for fiddlers who want stronger technique. Read George’s bio
Book Your Free First Lesson
Tell us a little about the student, and we’ll email you within 24 hours to find a time. Prefer a call or text? Just let us know.
After your free lesson, private lessons start at $149 per month for a weekly 30-minute lesson, with no long-term contract. Rather talk? Call 719-722-0248
“Great place to learn and be around other musicians. The staff is super friendly and fun to be around, I highly recommend this Academy.”
Fiddle Styles
Bluegrass
Bluegrass fiddle is fast, bluesy, and full of drive. You’ll learn classic breakdowns, double stops, and how to take a break and play backup in a band with banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass.
Old-Time
Old-time fiddling comes from the dance music of Appalachia. It’s built on rhythmic bowing, droning strings, and tunes that repeat so everyone at the jam can join in.
Irish and Scottish
Celtic fiddling is all about jigs, reels, and hornpipes, with ornaments like cuts and rolls that give each tune its lift. It’s the music of pub sessions and dance halls.
Country and Texas Style
Country fiddle covers everything from western swing and honky-tonk to the smooth, inventive variations of Texas contest fiddling.
A Little Fiddle History
The fiddle and the violin are the same instrument. The difference is the music. Settlers from Scotland, Ireland, and England brought their fiddles and dance tunes to America, where the fiddle became the center of barn dances and community gatherings, especially in Appalachia. When the first country music records were made in the early 1920s, fiddlers were among the first artists recorded.
In the 1940s, the fiddle became a key voice of Bill Monroe’s new bluegrass sound, and Bob Wills put it front and center in western swing. Today fiddlers like Alison Krauss and Mark O’Connor have carried the tradition to concert stages around the world.
Play With Other Musicians
Fiddle music is meant to be played together. Prefer classical playing? George also teaches violin lessons. And because we teach mandolin, banjo, guitar, and bass too, friends and family can learn the whole string band under one roof. When you’re ready, you can play with other students in our ensembles and perform in student recitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fiddle the same as a violin?
Yes, it’s the same instrument. “Fiddle” refers to folk styles like bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, and country, which are often learned by ear. If you’re interested in classical playing, George teaches violin too.
Do I need to read music to play fiddle?
No. Many fiddlers learn entirely by ear, and we teach that skill from the start. We also teach reading music, which makes it easier to learn new tunes and play in other settings.
I play classical violin. Can I learn fiddle?
Yes, and your technique gives you a head start. The new skills are playing by ear, improvising, ornaments, and the rhythmic bowing that gives fiddle its groove. George plays both styles, so he can bridge the two.
Do I need my own fiddle?
Yes. You’ll need one for lessons and practice at home. Any violin works for fiddle music, and fiddles come in small fractional sizes for young players. We’re happy to help you choose the right size.
What age can my child start fiddle lessons?
Many children start between ages 5 and 8 on a small fiddle sized for them. Adults are welcome at any age.
How long are lessons, and what do they cost?
Choose 30, 45, or 60-minute private lessons. Your first lesson is free, and lessons start at $149 per month for a weekly 30-minute lesson after that, with no long-term contract.
Schedule Your Free Fiddle Lesson
Meet George, talk about your goals, and see if lessons are a good fit. Call us at 719-722-0248 or send us a message to book your free introductory fiddle lesson.
Rocky Mountain Academy of Music · 5426 North Academy Blvd, Ste 101 · Colorado Springs, CO 80918