The Violin Geek Podcast

A special episode from the Violin Geek Blog! See http://www.laurelthomsen.com/Violin_Geek_Blog/Archive.html for more. The question posed on a forum was: "How can people find great music and new artists if they don't go to bars or listen to Spotify?" In today's mini episode, Laurel Thomsen fills us in on what a house concert is and why it may be your ticket to discovering your a new favorite artist...

A special episode from the Violin Geek Blog! See http://www.laurelthomsen.com/Violin_Geek_Blog/Archive.html for more.  As soon as a performance is on the horizon, the pressure mounts and our enjoyment of playing can easily turn to stress. Join Laurel Thomsen for some practice tips to help prepare for an orchestra, ensemble, or band practice.  To learn more about your host, Laurel Thomsen...

A special episode from the Violin Geek Blog! See http://www.laurelthomsen.com/Violin_Geek_Blog/Archive.html for more. Two pedagogues. Two similar arpeggio patterns. Is the order of the Flesch and Galamian arpeggios arbitrary or do they contain some deeper wisdom?  To learn more about your host, Laurel Thomsen, check her tour dates, or download her CDs visit www.laurelthomsen.com Also visit "L...

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest Will Timmons of AuditionBreakthrough.com as they discuss tips for getting the mind and body prepared to "Audition like a Pro." Until April 15, 2017 use coupon code "violin geek" to receive a discount for the 2017 online Audition Breakthrough Summit which features a number of guest speakers diving deep into the topic of audition mastery. To learn more about you...

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest co-host Dan Frechette, as well as special guests Cara Luft and Quiles & Cloud, as they share a variety of memorable stories from their experience 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 . Learn more about Cara Luft, check her tour schedule and buy music at...

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 visi...

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...

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 informat...

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 Sn...

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 Fiddl...

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 h...

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 less...

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.co...

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.ange...

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, o...

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 a...

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...

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 e...

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 lear...

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...

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest Bahman Sarram (Bviolin), violinist, composer, producer, for a talk on ethnic violin playing, improvising, electric instruments, Dave Matthews, jamming, and playing from the heart. Visit Bahman at www.bviolin.com and check out his "Philosophical Beat Podcast".  To learn more about Laurel Thomsen, please visit www.laurelthomsen.com Please visit "Laurel Thom...

Ok, we did the HOW. Now it's WHAT should you practice? In this episode Laurel Thomsen offers a range of elements you might need to add to your practice routine. Ideas for beginners and advanced players alike! To learn more about Laurel Thomsen, please visit www.laurelthomsen.com  Please visit "Laurel Thomsen Music" on Facebook and post your comments or suggestions, or share your support with...

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest Dr. Noa Kageyama, the Performance Psychology Professor at Julliard, for a talk on learning to become not just a better player, but a better performer. If you want to develop a successful pre-performance routine, play confidently in front of an audience, make a great first impression, and learn tricks for effective playing and practicing, please listen in and t...

A tailpiece that can make you sound better? Join Laurel Thomsen and master luthier Nicholas Frirsz as they discuss instrument making, Frirsz's innovative and elegant tailpiece design, how it came about, and what it could do for your sound. Visit Nicholas and check out his tailpieces at www.frirszmusic.com   Visit Laurel Thomsen at www.laurelthomsen.com Please also visit "Laurel Thomsen Music"...

In this episode, Laurel Thomsen shares her tips on how to practice for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. From building technique to polishing repertoire and preparing for performance, make sure you're covering all your bases and setting yourself up for a lifetime of happy practicing. Note: this episode is all about the "how" of practicing. In part two we'll give ideas for the "what" of practic...