Lesson Feesfrom $35.00 / 30 Minutes
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About
LessonFace Teacher of the Year 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021and 2022 with over 3,300 lessons taught since 2013!
From a recent "first lesson" parent:
Thank you for an awesome first lesson and for even spending extra time. That's how you can tell someone has passion for what they teach. I do the same when I'm teaching cardiology :). Dakota said it went by so fast and felt like 5 minutes which is a huge compliment coming from her. She left feeling motivated! I'm so glad we met you this weekend and I look forward to watching Dakota bloom into the next level of her fiddle playing with you as her mentor.
Founder/director of The Floyd Music School in Virginia. Nationally recognized and a member of the Virginia String Teacher's Association, I also chair the Songwriter Mentorship Program at the International Bluegrass Music Association and am a member of Folk Alliance International.
I've played strings and fretted instruments for 45 of the last 50 years and taught for 25. My approach is traditional, with emphasis on the heritage music of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Honored at The White House by President Obama for achievements in Heritage Music Instruction, Summer, 2008 and listed as a ‘teacher of note’ within 27 counties in SWVA by Virginia’s The Crooked Road organization.
My students play in the Roanoke Youth Symphony, have won first place in numerous Bland Competitions and fiddle contests, have attended Shasta, Mike Block and Mark O'Connor summer music camps and Roanoke Symphony's Summer Music Institute. Former students have attended the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, Belmont University in Nashville, North Carolina School of the Arts and the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Graduates of my studio are also signed recording artists on the Traviana records Label.
For me performing and recording are in harmony with teaching, and I would not excel in either effort without the other.
"As a singer/songwriter and recording artist, Mike's 2018 album release, "Small Town" debuted on the Billboard Bluegrass at #2 in December, 2018. In 2022 he has had TWO #1 Hit songs on the Bluegrass charts, and is set to release his newest album "Fathers & Sons" in February of 2023. Find all of the information at his website.
He tours internationally with the Mike Mitchell Band, and plays in regional Jazz and Classical ensembles. Mike is also a session musician for Bluegrass Record Labels, worldwide.
Do you want to play? have you always wanted to play, and perhaps had a failed attempt or two? I guarantee that you or your child will be playing in your first lesson, playing songs in three months, and working on being a musician after your first year.
Playing the Fiddle with Mr. Mike
Whether you are a beginner violinist or fiddler, this self paced course is an easy and entertaining way to learn solid fundamentals and technique. The first 7 lessons are free!
Playing the Fiddle with Mr. Mike >>
Reviews from Group Classes
Bluegrass Band
Liga V. on January 7, 2021
Kids had fun! Thanks so much.
Bluegrass Band
Jlg on February 25, 2021
Just love this class. Mike is so talented, technical, patient, spontaneous, etc; and so much fun to play with so many different levels of people. Enjoying it immensely!
Bluegrass Band
Liga V. on March 11, 2021
My both sons have been taking group lesson since January and is having a lot of fun learning. Can't wait to see their first recorded song. Thanks so much for this opportunity!
Beginner Acoustic Guitar with Mr. Mike
Emma D. on September 23, 2021
I really like Mr.Mike. I like him because he is always funny but also at the same time serious about guitar. I also think that it is very cool that plays a ton of different instruments and has his music school called Floyd Music School!
Beginner Acoustic Guitar with Mr. Mike
Emma D. on February 4, 2021
Board member: Virginia String Teachers Association, International Bluegrass Music Association Songwriters' Committee, Member of: Folk Alliance International, Americana Music Association
This 5 level course in Violin/Fiddle follows a traditional method. We use the String Builder series, written in the 1950’s by Dr. Samuel Applebaum, in conjunction with the method books of the 19th century’s great masters: Wohlfarht, Sevcik, and Kreutzer. Suzuki music is also used. Now you might be thinking, “O no, I have to buy all of these books right away…” but that is not the case. String Builder Book 1 will take you through the first level alone, we then add Suzuki book 1 for the second level. At level three we will add Wohlfahrt violin studies book 1 and Sevcik Bowing Studies book 1. Further method books and performance pieces will be added at continuing levels. Our fiddle tunes will be taken from a number of sources, and our own Floyd Music School transcriptions.
For fretted instrument study, we use the Mel Bay guitar method books in conjunction with method books from Berkeley Press. An interesting banjo method, first published in 1908, is the Emile Grimshaw method. This teaches banjo in both noted music and Tablature. The Complete Mandolinist by Marylin Mair is the most comprehensive mandolin method available today, and I highly recommend we use it!
All this being stated, I understand that some folks want to learn to play by ear, or strictly by TAB. As long as they are willing to practice and put in the work needed, I am willing to teach!