Creative Strings Podcast with Violinist Christian Howes Christian Howes

Developing excellence and improved self-care for music teachers. Our guest Adrian Gordon has taught classroom music for 18 years. His new book "Note to Self" explores how to make successful transitions for music teachers. 
Learn more about Adrian and his work at www.adriangordonmusic.com
Thanks to our sponsors, Yamaha and www.ElectricViolinShop.com

Learn secrets of how to play bluegrass fiddle and more with Justin Branum - in this video we use the Magic Bluegrass  scale as it relates to tunes like June Apple.   June Apples are small and oblong, with a brisk taste that's unusual for  early apples.  I only know this because Justin Branum told me.   He's a Nashville-based master fiddler and regular at the Grand Ole Opry,  (which is to Bluegrass what Carnegie Hall is to Classical, and the  Village Vanguard is to Jazz).  We used the Bluegrass tune "June Apple" in a video to teach you  play-along exercises related to the "Magic Bluegrass Scale". (It's good  for other styles besides Bluegrass).   ​Justin came out of Bluegrass and Texas-style fiddle, then got a  master's in Jazz. His breadth combined with the fact that he was  self-taught from the age of 12 may explain why he's such an effective  teacher.    I respect Justin Branum so much as a fiddle teacher and master fiddle  player that I invited him to teach in Asheville this summer at our  Creative Strings summer retreat (session B).   We weren't not sure if he could make it because everybody in Nashville  wants him to play country bluegrass fiddle on their tours and records,  but he just confirmed he's IN!  Want to learn how to play Bluegrass fiddle with Justin Branum, and  Austin Scelzo, and me in person? Join the Creative Strings summer  retreats (space is limited) here: https://christianhowes.com/creative-strings-asheville-extension/  Still, if he can, it will naturally include more opportunities to focus  on Bluegrass fiddle, Country fiddle, Swing fiddle, and other folk fiddle  styles with Austin Scelzo, who is also a tremendous teacher who can  show you how to play fiddle coming during the second week. ​  Our two scheduled fiddle camp sessions are the weeks of June 25th and  July 2nd. The first week will be really diverse, including jazz and any  styles you want to do.​  If you would rather come for a folk-music-centered experience the week  of July 8-15, possibly to include special guests Justin and Austin  Scelzo, sign up at link below.   As a heads up,  I limit the number of people at these fiddle camps The price is currently at a discount and it will go up So if you want to come, I suggest you decide soon.  Learn more and Sign up here: https://christianhowes.com/creative-strings-asheville-extension/  #fiddle #playalong #bluegrass

How to amplify the violin and get a good sound. Electric violin vs acoustic violin.  Pickups vs amplifiers.  Electric Violin Effects, how to use loops for violin, and related gear for violin, viola, and cello, are answered in this interview with Matt Bell of Electric Violin Shop #electricviolin #electricviolinshop 

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/bo4Y2gGGBJ8

Thanks to Electric Violin Shop for supporting CreativeStrings Podcast  

Thanks also to Yamaha for supporting us. I recommend Yamaha electric violins, violas, cellos, and basses.

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(0:00) Intro

(2:13) Welcome Matt Bell of Electric Violin Shop

(4:37) Gear questions for electric violins and violins with pickups

(10:54) Violin pick-ups vs solid body violin

(14:47) TwoSet Violin (a friendly debate )

(23:29) Amplified Violin Gear Audit

(33:13) Amplified violin Tone audit

(36:59) Living as a working musician

In this episode of the Creative Strings Podcast, Chris talks to educator and violinist, Dr. Quinton Morris about his non-profit work, Key to Change, entrepreneurship, and combating racism in classical music.

https://www.keytochangestudio.org/



(01:15) Teaching students to be entrepreneurs

(3:24) Harvard business school

(5:28) Key to change

(9:19) Why do so many people fail at doing what you've been able to succeed at?

(12:27) Understand the business

(15:25) Barriers to being able to serve underserved youth

(19:29) Talk to the community and always show up

(25:10) Being more human in our interactions

(29:39) Classical music’s defensiveness

(33:14) Raising money for your non-profit

(39:35) What can teachers without a non-profit do to help?

(44:38) Relational vs Transactional

(50:33) Combating racism in classical music

(55:20) Unmute the Voices

(1:00:07) Wrap up

John "Adidam"  Littlejohn shares how he resources his high-level tuition-free string camp www.stringbootcamp.com and how he balances/approaches life as a minister, educator, and violinist.



00:00 Intro

00:52 Thrive City String Bootcamp

05:39 Advanced seminar

11:04 Origins of camp

14:09 Teaching in inner-city schools

15:50 Where to apply

19:41 Instructors and space

25:12 Inspiration

26:53 Being a pastor and musician

31:20 Music is ministry

33:00 Day-to-day life

34:41 Putting in the time and effort

38:27 Entrepreneurship and God

42:55 What can a non-believer learn from faith?

47:17 Get outside yourself

50:54 Looking for ways to help others

52:44 Closing

In this episode, Chris talks to violinist and PhD-candidate Aaron Colverson about his musical journey and areas where musicians can impact the health space.



00:00 Intro

01:14 Opportunities for musicians in the health space

04:55 Are there ways of getting involved in music in a therapeutic sense and get paid?

10:19 How to get in touch with Aaron

11:45 Road from performance to academia

12:59 Moving to Kenya

16:57 You have to spend the time to figure out who you are in the music space

18:18 How does a musician afford a masters program

19:29 Relationships are more important than a CV

21:17 How have you matured in perspective?

25:27 How can we feel comfortable enough with ourselves to keep asking for the gig?

30:29 How can you overcome the pressure of comparing yourself to others?

32:38 Reframing your approach

37:23 Importance of empathy

41:50 Identity introvert vs extrovert

45:24 Closing