Dan Grotewohl - Bear in the Greengrass

Why do I teach?  No matter the subject, whether it is cross-country skiing (an old passion), Chinese Medicine or bodywork (ongoing passions), writing (a dream lacking complete talent) or fiddle (admittedly, a relationship fraught with love and hate), I tend to pour my heart and soul into teaching.  I will confess to feeling less than inspired when I am asked to teach a less than enthusiastic student.  My job (from my perspective at least) as teacher  is not to motivate a player.  Every player is challenged and tested to generate that part of it on their own, and frankly, if a student doesn't have the motivation I'm not a good choice as teacher.  That being said, I will work with the indifferent student because sometimes it takes time and experience before the student catches the spirit of the music and the fiddle.  The real heart of fiddle playing comes from deep within; from your heart and my heart.  I encourage individuality because fiddling is individual, and the tradition is based in expressing one's emotions (what is in one's soul).  So there you have it, my simple answer...sort of.

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