Welcome friends, I'm Ida Mae!

Welcome to our new online community!

Here you will find three distinct subscription offerings tailored to different needs and interests. All subscribers will receive a monthly email newsletter which might include an update on my music, alerts for new releases, and behind-the-scenes content. I invite you to join this community of music lovers and learners and look forward to getting to know you. Thank you so much for your support. Let the music play!

1. Backstage Guest

Welcome to the Green Room!

Every month, I will record a special performance of a song or a tune just for subscribers! These videos will be posted on the Subscriber page (this page) on my website, which will only be accessible to you and other Backstage Guests. Feel free to comment on the videos, request covers of your favorite songs, and expect to hear from my many collaborators and good friends old and new! You will also be signed up for my monthly newsletter. Pay what you can - this level is for everyone. Thank you so much for your generous support. Every bit helps me build a sustainable foundation for my work. 

2. Everyone Plays! (Fiddle Lessons for Beginners)

Interested in playing the fiddle? Start or continue your journey as a beginning fiddle student. 

Learn real traditional tunes right from the start with my teaching method I have honed for the past 13 years. Every month, a link to one 30-minute pre-recorded fiddle lesson will be delivered in an email, with extra listening content and background information on the tune. Additionally, this subscription comes with access to all content from the Backstage Guest tier, so you can enjoy exclusive performance videos and connect with like-minded folks on the subscriber page on my website (this page). The lessons will be tunes mostly from the Appalachian tradition, interspersed with Irish, Bluegrass and French Canadian tunes!

In each fiddle lesson video, I will:

• Go over instrument basics, including how to properly hold the fiddle and bow
• Introduce the tune, with some basic background information including where I learned to play it
• Play the tune a couple of times through up to tempo
• Lead a scale in the key of the tune
• Go through some bowing exercises to get our rhythm sections warmed up
• Teach the tune phrase by phrase, slowly working up to playing a whole section
• Play the whole tune slowly
• Go over variations and give suggestions for how to make the tune your own

3. Intermediate Fiddle Student

Dive deeper into building your repertoire as an intermediate fiddle student.

Every month, a link to one 30-minute pre-recorded fiddle lesson geared towards more experienced fiddlers will be delivered straight to your inbox. The video will be accompanied by extra listening content and background information on the tune. Additionally, this subscription comes with access to all content from the Backstage Guest tier, so you can enjoy exclusive performance videos and connect with like-minded folks. Plus, you get access to the 30-min beginner level fiddle lesson video too! The lessons will be tunes mostly from the Appalachian tradition, interspersed with Irish, Bluegrass and French Canadian tunes! Expect special guest appearances by John Specker and more guidance on bowing and stylistic variations.

In each fiddle lesson video, I will:

• Introduce the tune, with some basic background information including where I learned to play it
• Play the tune a couple of times through up to tempo
• Lead a scale in the key of the tune
• Go through some bowing exercises to get our rhythm sections warmed up
• Teach the tune phrase by phrase, slowly working up to playing a whole section
• Play the whole tune slowly, then up-to-tempo
• Go over variations and give suggestions for how to make the tune your own