Celtic Fiddle Lessons

I offer instruction in playing the fiddle in Celtic styles for all, young or old, beginner to advanced, whether you read music or wish to learn by ear.

I have extensive experience of teaching workshops in both the UK and the USA, including the Hands-on-Music series in England, at Pinewoods Camp in Massachusetts and at Middlebury College in Vermont. Since 2003 I have been teaching students individually.

Lessons are typically one hour long at my home in Addison, VT, and include instruction in technique, relevant theory, and musicality consistent with the style being played. Students can expect a welcoming, non-intimidating atmosphere in which mistakes are accepted as part of the process.

Atlantic Crossing

This is the band with which I play full time. We are a quartet of musicians who play traditional acoustic music of New England, along with our original compositions based in these traditions. Not only do we give concerts, but also we are highly in demand to play for contra dances and celebrations. We have toured extensively in the USA and also in the UK, and now have five recordings to our name.

Please visit AtlanticCrossingVt.com for details, including our calendar of events.

Science Tutoring

Having spent 18 years in the UK teaching high school sciences, specifically biology and chemistry, I now offer science tutoring to either individuals or small groups. Whether it's a complete course that you want, or just some assistance with specific topics, please contact me to see what's possible.

Other Music

I play fiddle solo, and in combinations other than Atlantic Crossing, particularly for Scottish dances.

Before emigrating to Vermont, I had 15 years' experience of playing for Scottish dance in the UK, the last 5 or 6 with pianist Lilian Linden. In 2003 we released a CD of some of our own compositions entitled (informatively if unimaginatively) Peter Macfarlane (Fiddle) & Lilian Linden (Piano).

I have also published my own tunebook, North Country: Volume 1, containing 34 of my compositions, a range of reels, jigs, waltzes, slow airs and others. The second volume is in the planning stages.

The CD and tunebook are available from me: please send a check (payable to Peter Macfarlane) for $15 plus $1.50 s&h per item. See the Contact page, or the footer of any page for address details.

I am also a co-founder of the Champlain Valley Scottish Fiddle Club, a group of fiddlers which meets monthly to enjoy playing, learning about and sharing the great Scottish tradition of fiddle music.