Product Details

• Actors: Kevin Burke
• Directors: Happy Traum
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Homespun Tapes
• DVD Release Date: October 1, 2004
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00067WSW0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,640 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Kevin Burke’s easygoing manner and encouraging teaching style invite you into the world of authentic traditional Irish fiddle. In this superb starter lesson, he passes on his vast knowledge and experience through an in-depth study of some of his favorite tunes, styles and techniques.

Kevin understands the needs of the learning fiddler, and he conveys his ideas with clarity and simplicity. Focusing on Irish polkas, slides and jigs, he teaches the basic tune, along with several variations, explaining the rhythmic devices that distinguish each dance form. He then shows you the grace notes, rolls, double-stops and other ornaments that make this music so distinctive, and that keep it in the true Irish tradition.

By the end of this first lesson you’ll be playing Saddle the Pony, The Connaughtman's Rambles, The King of the Fairies, Bill Sullivan's Polka, Johnny Leary's Slide, Micho Russell's Slide and more. Best of all, you’ll have gained a solid foundation that will enable you to play this beloved music with real flair and authority.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn some lovely tunes quickly from an Irish fiddle master, July 8, 2007

By 

Dori in SF (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DVD-Learn To Play Irish Fiddle #1 (DVD)

I've collected several instructional fiddle/violin dvds over the past year, and this one is by far the most enjoyable and clear to learn from. The tunes are easy to pick up for an advanced beginner and yet they are complex enough melody-wise for friends and family to enjoy. I actually LOVE playing each of these tunes. This was a nice change of pace from the Suzuki books I'm currently using. Good job, Kevin Burke and Homespun! Can't wait to get Kevin's #2 DVD.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Fiddle Lessons, February 26, 2009

By 

Chris Wilson "Zennister13" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DVD-Learn To Play Irish Fiddle #1 (DVD)

This is a nice DVD to learn a few tunes from. While I'm not new to the violin, I'm relatively new to Irish fiddling, and only in the last year or so have been making any effort to develop my ear. Thus, the hardest part for me is to learn by ear, and that's what I'm focusing on right now. This DVD was great for that purpose. Once learned, the tunes were not really difficult for me, although there are some technique and stylistic emphases which took a little getting used to.
Kevin Burke's style is indeed rather 'laid-back'. It creates sort of a homey atmosphere, which is nice. On the other hand, it means there's not a whole lot of verbal explanation. This is a little annoying, but the net effect is probably positive: it forces you to *listen*! He plays the tunes first at a slowed-down pace, repeating each complete musical phrase twice, and then plays through the whole tune. He also introduces each tune at full-speed, so you have the feel for what it 'should' sound like.
I found it was a perfect pacing for me, but I would not recommend it to a true beginner. It would have been enormously frustrating. Get some lessons first and get comfortable with fingering, and smooth bowing patterns, then buy this disc and learn from the best!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST BUY FOR IRISH FIDDLE PLAYERS, January 12, 2008

By 

R. MARTURELLA - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DVD-Learn To Play Irish Fiddle #1 (DVD)

This video is a must buy if you want to learn the Irish fiddle from one of the best. Kevin burke teaches you each tune slowly than takes you up to full speed with some great slides, jigs and polkas. He teaches the correct way to bow that enhances that Irish sound along with all the grace notes and left handed techniques that will make your fiddle playing very impressive.