Liz Knowles and Hannah chat about insights on effective practice strategies for musicians, emphasizing the concept of 'pistons' firing simultaneously to achieve mastery. In this interview, you'll walk away with a treasure trove of practical tips on memory, repertoire, and self-assessment to further improve your practicing skills and develop your Irish fiddling lilt!

Resources mentioned:

• Seeing is Forgetting by Robert Irwin
• Liz Carroll's three tunes: The Source air, Hopping from West to East hop jig, Clonakilty reel (from Collected III)
• Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Molly Gebrian

Connect with Liz and join her LizNotes newsletter here:

• LizNotes
• https://www.lizknowles.com/

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Chapters

• 00:00 Reconnecting with Liz Knowles
• 06:09 Teaching and Developing Practice Skills
• 16:51 Memory and Spaced Repetition
• 24:58 Extended Repetition and Memory
• 30:27 The Illusion of Mastery and Continuous Learning
• 36:25 Assessing Progress and Self-Trust
• 47:33 The Passage of Time and Evolution of Skills

In this episode of the Find Your Lilt Podcast, host Hannah Harris chats with fiddler, improviser, and teacher Nathan Bishop. They explore Nathan's journey in music, the balance between teaching and performing, and the importance of flexibility and motivation in Irish music. Nathan shares insights on navigating burnout, the significance of non-music hobbies, and the dynamics of student-teacher relationships. They also discuss various teaching methods, including the spiral learning approach, and how to effectively engage students in group settings.

Connect with Nathan on Instagram here!

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

Hannah sits down for a chat with fellow fiddle teacher, Charlene Adzima, who shares her journey into Irish music, her experience with Suzuki training, and her approach to teaching. The conversation explores the intersection of classical and folk music, the importance of creativity, compassion, and consistency in teaching, and the concept of finding one's 'lilt' in music.

Check out Charlene's website and keep up to date with her teaching schedule here!

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

Jack Hughes didn't grow up playing fiddle – he started as a trumpet player, picking up the violin at 21 years old. Yet his thoughtful approach to practicing and performing Irish traditional music offers tremendous insights for musicians at any stage in their journey.

In this illuminating conversation, Jack reveals how his trumpet background shaped his distinctive fiddle methodology. He explains his practice of beginning every session by focusing on what Suzuki called "natural tone" – allowing the instrument to speak with ease rather than forcing sound production. This foundation of relaxation and clarity becomes the bedrock upon which everything else is built.

The discussion delves deep into the art of deliberate practice. Jack shares a transformative insight from his teacher Brendan Mulvihill: "Play it 500 times as is and then you can vary it." This patient approach – giving every note its due time rather than rushing to performance speed – creates playing that feels effortless even at high tempos. Jack articulates how slowing down recordings of master musicians reveals their relaxed technique beneath seemingly blazing speeds.

Perhaps most valuably, Jack outlines his performance preparation process. Rather than practicing isolated sections, he advocates for contextual practice – playing entire sets without stopping, just as in performance. This builds the confidence to maintain rhythm and flow regardless of small technical mistakes. His approach to recording practice sessions also separates creative playing from critical evaluation, allowing both to happen more effectively.

Throughout the conversation, Jack's philosophy emerges: "There's no point in playing this music if you're not enjoying it." His approach prioritizes finding joy in the process, believing the most compelling performances come from musicians truly invested in the emotional heart of the music rather than technical showmanship alone.

Whether you're a seasoned musician or just beginning your journey, Jack's thoughtful perspective offers practical wisdom to transform your relationship with practice and performance. How might focusing on ease and natural tone change your own approach to music-making?

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

Hannah shares her experiences and strategies for preparing for a gig at IrishFest Atlanta. She discusses the challenges of learning new tunes quickly, the importance of collaboration with other musicians, and the use of different notation systems like ABC notation. Throughout the conversation, Hannah emphasizes the need for preparation, practice, and adaptability in the world of music performance.

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

Jim Lindroth shares his backstory of how he got into Irish music through classical percussion. He discusses the influence of his classical training on his Irish playing, particularly in terms of technique, sound, and color. Jim also talks about his preparation for the Fleadh Cheoil competition and how he selected tunes based on their variety and opportunities for showcasing different rhythms and melodies. In this conversation, Jim and Hannah discuss the process of arranging traditional Irish tunes for the bodhrán. Jim shares his experience of finding space within the melodies and exploring different rhythms and accents. They also touch on the concept of authenticity in traditional music and how it can be interpreted differently by different musicians. Jim emphasizes the importance of listening and adapting to the playing styles of other musicians when accompanying them on the bodhrán.

Takeaways

• Classical percussion training can have a significant impact on Irish music playing, particularly in terms of technique, sound, and color.
• The selection of tunes for performance should consider their variety and opportunities for showcasing different rhythms and melodies.
• The choice of tippers in Irish music can greatly influence the sound and color produced on the bodhran.
• Preparation for competitions or performances should involve intentional exploration of different techniques and approaches to maximize musical expression.
• The collaboration between musicians in a performance can enhance the overall musical experience and create unique interpretations of traditional tunes. Arranging traditional Irish tunes for the bodhrán involves finding space within the melodies and exploring different rhythms and accents.
• Authenticity in traditional music can be interpreted differently by different musicians, and it is important to find a balance between staying true to the tradition and adding personal expression.
• When accompanying other musicians, it is crucial to listen and adapt to their playing styles, whether it's playing along, playing against, or adding colors and textures to enhance the music.
• The bodhrán player's role is to support and enhance the music, adding what is needed in the moment.

Connect with Jim on Instagram @jimdroth or via his website!

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

In this conversation, Hannah and Anne discuss band dynamics and the differences between Irish traditional music and bands that play Irish music. They explore the definition of the Irish feel and the importance of communication and vision in a band. They also touch on the evolution of their own band, Trillium, and the challenges of finding an authentic Irish sound. They discuss the nuances of Irish music, including inflection, emphasis, swing, and lift, and how these elements differentiate Irish music from other genres. The conversation explores the distinction between traditional and innovative Irish music and the role of curiosity and immersion in developing a unique style. The importance of communication and feedback within a band is emphasized, as well as the balance between tradition and innovation. The significance of listening, flexibility, and continuous learning is highlighted. The challenges of ornamentation and variations are discussed, along with the importance of clarity and constructive feedback. The conversation concludes with reflections on the joy of playing in a band and the impact of live performances.

You can connect with Anne on her LinkedIn page and hear more about what Trillium is up to on their website here!

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

In this episode of the Find Your Lilt podcast, host Hannah Harris speaks with Taylor Morris, an enthusiastic educator and musician based in Arizona. They discuss Taylor's journey into music education, his teaching philosophy centered around joy and flexibility, and the importance of engaging students in multiple ways to foster a love for music. Taylor debunks common misconceptions about learning styles and emphasizes the need for adaptability in teaching methods. The conversation highlights the significance of experimentation in both teaching and learning, encouraging students to explore various approaches to music-making.

Connect with Taylor more over on Instagram and his website!

To learn more about Gilbert Town Fiddlers, visit here!

Looking for a summer string camp in Arizona? Check out StringPlay!

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!