© Hilltone Studios 2010 Web Design by Curly Hi!  I teach fiddle technique, fiddle tunes, and music theory for fiddlers (or mandolin players).  I also conduct workshops, called “Help for Frustrated Fiddlers”. I have played violin for more than 30 years.  I received my B.A. in music at University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music, and while in college I played around with other styles beyond classical.  I performed in the Jazz Orchestra, and Musica Nova, a modern art music ensemble.  After college, I founded a couple of experimental bands, and played with a variety of performance artists, original projects, and established bands.  In my mid-20s, I stumbled across first bluegrass music, and then old time traditional American music.  It was the old time fiddling and singing that hooked me.  This music has got soul, which to me is the essential ingredient for good music.  In 1996, I co-founded the band I still play in today, The Wilders.  We play a lot of US festivals, are fairly successful in our international tours, and have been filmed and televised twice by the BBC.  I didn’t plan to be a teacher when I went to college, but about ten years ago I started getting requests to teach.  Since then, I discovered that I love teaching and my main goal is to help players make sense of the instrument.  I am probably best suited for teaching beginning, intermediate, and not-quite-advanced players, but I can offer suggestions and creative practice techniques to help advanced players get to an even higher level.  I can teach adults and young folks, but I don’t have much experience teaching anyone under 10 years of age.  One of my specialties is teaching music theory – don’t run away! – I can make it easy for you, it won’t hurt a bit! Besides teaching in the Kansas City area, I have taught workshops in Winfield, Kansas, Portland, Oregon, Chicago, Illinois, Yukon Territory, Canada, and Virton, Belgium.  I read music fluently, but I do not teach fiddle tunes from printed music sources.  I can help you with music reading, if that is a goal you have, but as an old time fiddle teacher, I would rather teach you how to learn tunes by ear, using your eyes to understand bowing patterns (you’ll receive instructions on bowing by ear, as well, as I speak the bowings while teaching the notes).  So how can I help you?  Here are some of the ways: • Playing Technique:  left hand/right hand approaches to playing (focus on ergonomics) • Noting Technique:  learning scales and chords is essential to making music • Tunes:  especially Ozark fiddle tunes, also tunes from Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia – from both living elder generation traditionalists and early recorded sources • Music Theory:  the fiddle is a great tool to make sense of the math of music • Special Requests:  if you have a musical goal not listed here, contact me and I’ll tell you if I can help Unless I am away on tour, I am available on Tuesdays, Fridays, and some Saturdays.  While I develop my online schedule, I may be available on other days.  Please contact me for more information. Happy fiddling! Betse Ellis Betse’s Music Download Page