Imagine if you could play Celtic fiddle with confidence, truly express what's in your heart musically and get to enjoy creating music with your friends.
Click and watch the video below
“Colin is a wonderful tutor who has a unique style which carries his pupils with him...
His lessons and sessions are great fun and resound with laughter whilst the learning takes a quantum leap. "
Claire Hurst, UK
Sample course page
Each module includes an introduction lesson followed by a series of video lessons taking students through learning the technique and how to practice and improve on their own.
You can learn the tunes
- in your own home so that you don't have to go anywhere to practice
- at your own pace so that you're not being pressured by a teacher who doesn't understand your schedule
- with friends so that it's an enjoyable experience whenever possible
Who's Your Course Guide?
Celtic Fiddle Guru – Principal Instructor
Colin MacLeod, principal instructor, and known as the Celtic Fiddle Guru, is originally from Scotland.
Colin, a Celtic fiddle player with over 40 years experience, has achieved Grade 8 Violin Distinction, recorded 7 CDs, played in Celtic bands, and has run Celtic fiddle workshops in Scotland, Australia and the United States.
Colin started playing the violin in Scotland at the age of seven and spent his teenage years travelling across Scotland playing and winning competitions until the age of 15. Colin was classically trained through the school system in Scotland, regularly playing in both the Regional Youth Orchestra and National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland. In his final year of school, Colin achieved Distinction in Grade 8 Violin.
Outside of school, Colin followed his passion for Celtic and Scottish music, playing in concerts all over Scotland. He entered Scottish fiddle competitions which helped Colin to hone his Celtic fiddle playing technique and unique sound.
Through all the travel that Colin has done with his work and career, it has been Celtic fiddle music and the Celtic music sessions all over the world which have been the social glue to making new friends, connections and settling in new countries.
And it has been the ability to play Celtic fiddle by ear which has really uplevelled the enjoyment of playing Celtic fiddle and having fun playing in Celtic music sessions around the world.
At first it was really hard to play Celtic fiddle by ear because it seemed so much easier to read the tunes from sheet music. And then Colin started to attend Celtic music sessions where musicians were playing so many tunes that Colin was unfamiliar with and was without the music for .... This really spoilt the enjoyment of playing in Celtic music sessions. So Colin started to learn different techniques to play Celtic fiddle by ear. Over the years Colin has workshopped and refined his choice of techniques and tunes to practice these techniques. And so the The Celtic Fiddle Play by Ear Course was born to help you have fun and join in a Celtic music session anywhere in the world!
Colin now regularly performs and teaches, both in person and online, across five continents including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America.
“Colin's music and Celtic Fiddle course are like a rainbow on a persistently rainy day!"
Meg Pilkington, Australia
What's In The Course?
High Quality Video Training. View Samples Below
- These are 6 week courses - attend
when it is convenient for you - We cover techniques to help
you develop the skills of playing
Celtic fiddle tunes by ear and
shape your unique sound - Q&A sessions, homework
reviews and replays - Techniques applied to tunes
- And homework - if you wish
you can submit it
“Colin not only taught several pieces of music to a
group of fiddle players of a wide range of ages and abilities,
but had the audience smiling and singing as well.
Even the most musically shy of us were playing and
moving around the stage to the rhythm of the music.
Colin's love for Celtic music is contagious! Thank you Colin.
I had so much fun - can't wait to do it again!”
Sarah O'Brien, USA
Who's This For?
These courses are for you if you
- are a violin player at beginner level or
perhaps have been playing Celtic Fiddle
for a while - are an established player who might like to change from playing 'sheet' music to 'playing by ear.'
- are a Celtic fiddle player who has only been playing with 'sheet' music and wishes to play Celtic fiddle tunes by ear
- perhaps play a melody instrument e.g. mandolin
- might like to find out more about playing
Celtic Fiddle to shape your unique sound - might like to have more fun when joining in a Celtic music session anywhere in the world
- We know that students are always keen to learn new things and explore new knowledge. At Celtic Fiddle Guru we are passionate about providing interested students of all age groups, from beginners to advanced, and from all walks of life, with an easy way to enjoy the benefits of playing music from the heart.
- We all know that the enthusiasm with which we pick up an instrument for the first time, with visions of playing like a master, are quickly squashed when we quickly realise that it takes time to master the skill of playing effortlessly.
- Musicians spend years in the trenches of playing repetitive scales, and finally their favourite tunes albeit mechanically from sheet music. And then one day, miraculously it seems, they are playing at one with the music.
- We have developed the Celtic Fiddle Play by Ear 6 week online courses to help students interested in learning Celtic Fiddle experience playing from the heart by the time they finish.
“Colin had promised to surpass each
of our expectations.
He delivered on that for me and
my violin is talking more eloquently and
passionately than before.”
Richard Gray, Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What if I am too busy with my daily schedule?
The tunes, videos and their recordings can be accessed 24 hours a day so that the Celtic fiddle play by ear courses can fit in with your daily schedule.
2. What if I have only played a few tunes by ear?
The Beginners course will provide you with the tools to play a lot more tunes by ear and have fun in the process!
3. What if I can read sheet music?
The Celtic fiddle play by ear Beginners course will help to put more passion and emotion into the playing of the music and provide different tools for ways to learn music.
4. What if I don't have time to complete the courses?
The course materials are available online 24 hours a day to fit in with your lifestyle and work patterns and also broken down into small chunks for bite sized consumption. There are also fortnightly Q&A sessions to answer any questions.
5. What if I am inspired to join in a local Celtic music session before I complete the course?
As a result of the knowledge you are building in the Celtic fiddle play by ear course, you will be able to have even more fun joining with everyone at a local Celtic music session.
6. When can I start the courses?
For Beginners, new course groups start in the first week of each month. New Intermediate course groups start in the second week of each month. Students work at their own pace through the weekly video lessons, and every second week we have a live streamed Q&A where you can get feedback directly from the instructor. The Q&A classes are also available on replay, and while it would be great to see you, you do not need to attend. Theoretically, if attending the Q&A sessions is not important to you, you could start at any time.
7. Is There A Refund Policy?
Students who follow along with the program, go through all the materials and actively take part in their learning experience are delighted with the course, and have more fun in playing Celtic fiddle by ear.If you’re not satisfied with the course after 30 days, you can email us to request a full refund. No questions asked.
“Colin's workshop was so enjoyable.
He really connected all the fiddlers together as well as the audience.
He encouraged us all to bring life to the music with our whole bodies, pushed us to move out of our comfort zone, and taught us to move with the music.
His manner of teaching took into account all levels of fiddlers so that everyone could participate, learn, and enjoy.”
Joanna Johnson, USA