Harry gives fiddle lessons, with emphasis on technical aspects of the instrument, reading music, and learning tunes by ear. While most of the music played comes from the vast and varied fiddle repertoire (Irish, Scottish, Quebecois, Cape Breton, American etc), we play music from other styles including classical. I have also taught mandolin and tenor saxophone.
I have been playing music for many years in different styles including rock, jazz, bluegrass country, folk, and world music. I’m not a musical purist in any style, and I believe in the universality of music, with the differences between genres subjective and superficial.
I have played in various bands over the years including The Wingnuts, John’s Garage, The Ecotones, Malahat String Band, Lasqueti Island All-Stars, Lenny Road Boys, Bijoux de Bayou, Gang of Four, Bluegrass Punks, Wild Rose, Shady Grove Dance Band, Monte and the Beaumonts, Rogue Wave, the Cowichan Valley Grass Roots Orchestra, and the Cowichan Camerata Orchestra.
I have been playing with a group of local folks composing and recording children’s songs in Hul’q’umi’num’ & English. Hul’q’umi’num’ is a Salish language spoken by the First Nations people on southern Vancouver Island, BC. We have produced two CDs and are currently working on new material.
For more information go to: Happy Friends/‘Iiyus Siiye’yu; HappyFriends.ca
In addition to fiddle, I play mandolin, tenor saxophone, electric bass guitar, accordion, harmonica, and pedal and lap steel guitar.
Joan loves to play the piano.