The Violin Geek Podcast

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest co-host Dan Frechette, as well as special guest artists Boscoe's Brood and Toby Gray, as they share a variety of wacky, intense, and memorable stories from their time on the road. Learn more about Dan Frechette by visiting him at www.danfrechette.com as well as his website with Laurel - www.danandlaurel.ca. For more about Boscoe's Brood and to hear music visit www.boscoesbroodmusic.com. To learn more about Toby Gray and check out his music visit www.highwaybuddah.com. Finally, to learn more about your host, Laurel Thomsen, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

In this episode, host Laurel Thomsen shares a recent live interview with fiddler, vocalist, and recording artist Tania Elizabeth. Formerly a founding member of Canada's The Duhks, Tania now tours full time with the Avett Brothers as well as in a duo with her husband Andy Stack in The Stacks. Tania shares important insight into performance as an art, considerations when developing arrangements, and a discussion of a woman's challenges in the music industry. At the end we hear an infectious track from Tania's CD, "Gods and Omens", called "Blue Ridge". Learn more about Tania, her tour schedule, and find this track and many more via www.taniaelizabeth.com. To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

In this episode, Laurel Thomsen introduces her new online course "Complete Vibrato Mastery" and demystifies vibrato with tips for vibrato applications and the prerequisites to learning vibrato. Until they run out, podcast listeners may use the coupon code "violingeekpodcast2015" to receive a $20 discount on a lifetime membership to the course. Visit www.completevibratomastery.com for more information. To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Welcome to Part 2 of a series of interviews featuring fiddlers from Canada! This episode shares an interview with fiddle champion, educator, and recording artist Patti Kusturok. We talk about Patti's latest project, "365 Days of Fiddle Tunes" and learn more about the various types of tunes popular in Canadian music, as well as hear a track from Patti's latest CD, "'Milestone", called "En Ganske Snill Mann". This track and many more may be purchased and downloaded via www.pattikusturok.com and check out "Fiddle Chick Patti" on YouTube. To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like." Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Welcome to Part 1 of a series of interviews featuring fiddlers from Canada! Canadian fiddle music is a strong tradition and pulls from a wide variety of cultural heritages. This first episode shares an interview with dynamic fiddler, composer, and teacher Calvin Vollrath. Enjoy the stories, insights, and inspirations Calvin shares, as well as a track from his latest CD, "'Certified' Canadian Fiddler", a tune called "One for Donnell" which he wrote for Canadian fiddler, Donnell Leahy. This track and many, many more may be purchased and downloaded via www.calvinvollrath.com. Also, please visit the site of his music camp in Northern Alberta at www.campcalvin.ca and consider joining in the fun. To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

If you're listening it means that podcast host Laurel Thomsen has successfully overcome the technical difficulties that put the Violin Geek on the sidelines. It's only a test, but we expand to talk about some less commonly considered factors that might help you be better prepared for an upcoming audition, jury, or performance. To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

In this episode Laurel Thomsen shares tips and processes from her personal experience and teaching studio and from forum readers for being able to play music from memory. To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest Janet Horvath, cellist, musician's health advocate, and author of the book "Playing Less Hurt" as they explore topics of injury prevention for musicians. Visit Janet online, order her book, and check her tour schedule at www.playinglesshurt.com. To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, schedule a lesson, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Join host Laurel Thomsen and author/career consultant Angela Myles Beeching as they cover topics from Beeching's book "Beyond Talent", including tips for writing an engaging bio, negotiating bookings and asking for what you're worth, and advice for staying motivated and planning a successful career. Visit Ms. Beeching online, order her book, and sign up for her Monday Bytes Blog at http://www.angelabeeching.com To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, schedule a lesson, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Sometimes problems with rhythm aren't caused by what we thought they were. Join violinist Laurel Thomsen as she runs through the most common rhythm issues. To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Did you know that your first impression is not your first note? Gain tips for how to prime your audience for our successful performance. To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Not all shifts are created equal. Learn how to refine your shifting technique for optimal expression! To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like" . Want to offer an idea, schedule a private lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

What is a scale? What are the types, how do we figure out how to play them, and why do we have different ones? To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like." Want to offer an idea, schedule a lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Join host Laurel Thomsen and violinist/author Hilary Orzel-McSherry as they talk about growing up in a family of musicians. They dispel some myths (no "starving musicians" here) and offer insight for those wanting to live a creative life and share it with a family. Find Hilary's new book with her husband Drew McSherry at https://www.amazon.com/Terrance-Trapezoid-Drew-McSherry/dp/0692744029 To learn more about Laurel, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and share your support with a "like." Want to offer an idea, schedule a lesson via Skype, or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Join Laurel Thomsen and get the blues...a Blues fiddle lesson that is, with singer- songwriter Dan Frechette. Learn the Blues scale in a variety of keys, the Blue notes, different types of Blues rhythms, bowing and note treatment, and how to get not only the right notes, but the right feel. Check out Dan and Laurel's new site and CD at www.danandlaurel.ca and "like" them on Facebook. To learn more about Laurel, download her CDs, or schedule a lesson via Skype, visit www.laurelthomsen.com and visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook. Want to offer an idea or have a question answered on the podcast? Send Laurel an email at laurel@laurelthomsen.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support