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Updated in [October 16th, 2023]

What does this course tell?
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This free online Irish fiddle course is designed to help the beginner develop those skills needed to play one of Irish traditional music’s most popular instruments. The fiddle is a difficult instrument to master without expert tuition. In this course, professional performer Doireann Ní Ghlacáin covers the basics that any beginner fiddle player needs to know, including holding the instrument correctly, which is fundamental to becoming a proficient player, as well as tuning the strings and becoming familiar with the notes. Through a series of short, easy-to-follow videos, she will introduce you to the basic techniques needed to play the notes clearly and tunefully and to move the bow across the strings for a fuller sound.
Having learned a nursery rhyme to practise bowing across the strings, you will soon have the opportunity to learn your first Irish tune, 'The Kerry Polka'. Doireann breaks the tune down into small sections for ease of learning. While the notes are provided in a downloadable PDF from the resource section of the course, she encourages learners to play by ear. Once that milestone first tune has been mastered, the fiddle lessons proceed to another popular polka, 'The Britches Full of Stitches'. Again, Doireann breaks the tune down into segments and in learning the second part, you will be introduced to playing in the higher octave, on the E string. In most Irish music, the first part of the song is played on the lower notes while the second part is on the higher octave and Doireann devotes a lesson to mastering the E string finger positions. The final tune you will learn in this Beginners’ course is 'Shoe The Donkey', which is associated with the mazurka style of dance, a favourite in the north-west of Ireland and specifically, County Donegal.
If you’ve always wanted to learn to play an iconic Irish instrument, this free online fiddle guide provides the perfect foundation. You will be learning from a professional musician based in Clare and Galway, the cultural hub of the vibrant west of Ireland. A recording artist and performer who has toured internationally, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin also presents live coverage of Irish music programmes for the national Irish language TV station TG4. Not only is she an accomplished musician in her own right but Doireann also comes from a famously musical family, with a long line of fiddle players on her paternal side. On her maternal side, her grandfather was the composer Seán Ó Riada who is widely hailed as instigating the revival of the traditional Irish music scene of the 20th century which continues today. By completing this course, you can learn those all-important techniques that are fundamental to developing as a fiddle player. You can also gain certification by passing the end-of-course assessment. You may wish to progress to the next course in this series, Traditional Irish Fiddle, Beginner 2, where you will learn new tunes and some of the secrets of ornamentation. The series concludes with Traditional Irish Fiddle, Intermediate Level, for those who have mastered the basics. Throughout the three courses, you will be learning tunes that are widely played at 'seisiúns' (music sessions) and dances across Ireland and anywhere the vast Irish diaspora gathers. Begin the course, practise what you’ve learned, and who knows where your new-found skills may take you!


We considered the value of this course from many aspects, and finally summarized it for you from two aspects: skills and knowledge, and the people who benefit from it:
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What skills and knowledge will you acquire during this course?
During this course, the learner will acquire the following skills and knowledge:
1. Proper technique: The learner will learn how to hold the fiddle correctly, which is essential for becoming a proficient player.
2. Tuning: The learner will become familiar with tuning the strings of the fiddle to ensure accurate and harmonious sound production.
3. Note familiarity: The learner will become acquainted with the notes on the fiddle and how to play them clearly and tunefully.
4. Bowing techniques: The learner will learn how to move the bow across the strings to produce a fuller sound.
5. Nursery rhyme practice: The learner will practice bowing across the strings using a nursery rhyme as a beginner exercise.
6. Learning Irish tunes: The learner will have the opportunity to learn traditional Irish tunes, starting with "The Kerry Polka" and progressing to "The Britches Full of Stitches" and "Shoe The Donkey."
7. Breaking down tunes: The learner will learn how to break down tunes into smaller sections for easier learning.
8. Playing in higher octaves: The learner will be introduced to playing in the higher octave on the E string and mastering the finger positions.
9. Mazurka style of dance: The learner will learn a tune associated with the mazurka style of dance, specifically from County Donegal.
10. Professional guidance: The learner will receive instruction from professional performer Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, who has extensive experience in traditional Irish music and comes from a musical family background.
11. Certification: The learner has the opportunity to gain certification by passing the end-of-course assessment.
12. Progression to higher levels: The learner can progress to the next courses in the series, Traditional Irish Fiddle, Beginner 2, and Traditional Irish Fiddle, Intermediate Level, to further develop their skills and learn new tunes and ornamentation secrets.
13. Learning widely played tunes: The learner will be learning tunes that are commonly played at music sessions and dances across Ireland and within the Irish diaspora.
Who will benefit from this course?
This course will benefit beginners who are interested in learning to play the traditional Irish fiddle. It is designed to help them develop the necessary skills to play this popular instrument. The course covers the basics, such as holding the instrument correctly, tuning the strings, and becoming familiar with the notes.
The course is suitable for individuals who have no prior experience with the fiddle and want to learn from scratch. It provides a step-by-step guide through short and easy-to-follow videos, making it accessible for beginners.
Professionals in the music industry, such as musicians or music teachers, may also benefit from this course. It offers a structured approach to learning the fiddle and provides techniques that are fundamental to becoming a proficient player.
Additionally, individuals who have a passion for Irish traditional music or want to explore a new instrument will find value in this course. It offers the opportunity to learn iconic Irish tunes and provides a foundation for further learning and development in the field of traditional Irish music.

Course Syllabus

Learn to Play Easy Irish Fiddle Tunes

Course assessment