Fiddling the "Possum Way"
Welcome to the FiddleSchool@CharlieWalden.com. Here you’ll find a host of resources for learning to play traditional fiddle, especially the variety I know best from my home state, Missouri-Style.
I’d love to hear your comments about the site, any suggestions you might have or questions about the content. Just email me at: possum.walden@gmail.com
Call my “Hotline” at 847-920-7587 and leave a message 24/7.
If you want audio only fiddle tune lessons you’ll find them on this page. Typically the lessons will consist of background information on the tune and audio of a demonstration of the tune, the scale, phrase-by-phrase breakdown and lastly slow play along. To see them all click HERE.
Try out this little sample.
The Country Waltz (35 mins)
The Video Lessons page organizes the lessons and workshops I’ve posted on YouTube so you can quickly find the tune you want. Here’s a sample below. To see them all click right HERE.
By the way, the video you see above was created as a custom lesson request for my buddy Ted up in Northern Ontario. He made his request via Patreon page. If there is a particular tune you want me to create a lesson for just visit my Patreon page and sign up for a custom video fiddle lesson. Click the icon below for more information.
The Resources page provides a collection of helpful resources, links and other information. To visit the page click HERE.
Here’s a little sample.
Download my little booklet of Chords Patterns & Arpeggios. You’ll find a graphics-based presentation of the fingerboard indicating positions chords and arpeggios for Major, Dominant, Minor 7th and Diminished chords that will aid in practice and improve your playing if used diligently. For mandolin, too. No paywall ever, but it’d be nice if you’d throw me bone via PayPal. Suggested $3.
You can host a Patt & Possum workshop in your home or other location. Patt & I love doing workshops in conjunction with playing a dance or when convenient during one of many musical excursions. In general you’d need 10 participants to make it happen. We’ve worked with up to 25 in a single workshop!
The video below should give you a good idea of we proceed during a workshop. This one was presented during our performance at the Squirrel Moon Dance weekend at Folklore Village in Wisconsin in September 2017.
In addition to fiddle & mandolin, other traditional melody or accompaniment instruments can participate. In the past we’ve welcomed banjos (yes, even banjos), guitars, accordions, whistles, flutes, and piano keyboards. Patt often will coach accompanists while Charlie is teaching the melody.
Typically the cost is $50 person, although we often allow a sliding scale or discount for students, seniors and for multiple folks attending from a single household. The workshops typically last two hours with a break for refreshments halfway through.
The host attends without charge of course and at their discretion I offer them 15% of the door. In return the host provides space with chairs, organizes refreshments (like snack, drinks or a potluck even), handles local publicity.
Make a day of it by hosting a workshop followed by a jam session & potluck followed by a Patt & Possum house concert or dance.
For more info email possum.walden@gmail.com.