Find Your Lilt

Hannah Harris sits down with fiddler and multi-instrumentalist Katie Grennan for a conversation rooted in Irish traditional music, dance, and lifelong learning. Katie shares how Irish dance shaped her sense of rhythm and phrasing, how she developed her bowing and ornamentation, and why playing for dancers demands a different musical mindset.They also discuss Katie’s work with students of all ages, her approach to teaching feel and lilt, and how learning whistle, banjo, and concertina keeps her musically curious.

Connect with Katie via her website here!

Want to support the Find Your Lilt podcast and learn some new tunes by ear? Become a Tune Library member!

• Katie’s early start on violin and her family’s connection to Ireland.
• How Irish dance shaped her sense of rhythm and her musical style.
• Learning Irish tunes by ear, then refining her playing through focused listening.
• What changes when playing reels at dance tempos, including why Katie pares back ornaments to support the dancer.
• Why fast Irish playing should still sound connected and legato.
• Katie’s teaching approach: learning by ear, finding a bowing plan, listening back, and making music in community.
• How Irish dancers can draw on their movement and sense of rhythm when learning music.
• The joys and challenges of learning whistle, banjo, and concertina.
• Choosing tunes and arranging music with her groups, the Bowtides and Reverie Road.
• Why Irish traditional music offers endless opportunities to learn, play, and discover new tunes.

00:00 — Introducing Katie Grennan
00:59 — Katie’s early musical life and Irish family roots
03:14 — Discovering Irish dance music
06:16 — Bowing patterns and playing at dance tempo
13:48 — Developing musical feel through listening
17:52 — Teaching by ear and building community
21:15 — Teaching musicians with Irish dance backgrounds
23:26 — Exploring whistle, banjo, and concertina
32:32 — Lifelong learning and the endless world of Irish tunes
37:32 — Picking and arranging tunes with her groups
41:57 — Festivals, dance competitions, and upcoming projects

“I try to sound like the same vibe and character no matter what speed I’m playing at.”

“This is community music. It’s music that’s meant to be shared.”

“There’s always another tune to learn.”

I had the great pleasure of sitting down for a chat with Matt Cranitch, who is perhaps most well-known in the States for his Irish Fiddle method book as well as live and online workshops he has offered. This interview is your opportunity to "take a class" with Matt and hear a mix of his story, his teaching approaches, and his current projects in the summer of 2026.

Matt's website

ITMA Padraig O' Keeffe Collection

Colleen Freeman playing her ancestor Julia Clifford's Stroh Fiddle

Want to support the Find Your Lilt podcast and learn some new tunes by ear? Become a Tune Library member!

With the recent release of her 3rd tune collection, Liz Carroll shares the evolution of her tune books, insights on Irish music, and how she's finding her lilt these days. This conversation covers her creative process, the importance of listening and experimentation, and tips for musicians at all levels.

Get your copy of Collected III here!

Want to support the Find Your Lilt podcast and learn some new tunes by ear? Become a Tune Library member!

Mary Vanorny shares her journey from classical training to Irish fiddling, her innovative approach to teaching through her books, and the importance of community and style in learning Irish music.

Learn more about Mary and purchase her book collection here:

• https://www.fiddlermary.com/
• https://www.learningfiddlewithirishmusic.com

Want to support the Find Your Lilt podcast and learn some new tunes by ear? Become a Tune Library member!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Suzuki Method and Irish Fiddling

03:10 Creating Resources for Young Musicians

05:59 The Importance of Listening and Training in Music

08:56 The Transition from Classical to Irish Fiddling

11:59 Understanding Songs vs. Tunes in Irish Music

14:58 Teaching Approaches for Different Age Groups

17:49 The Role of Bowing Techniques in Fiddling

21:03 Personal Journey in Fiddling and Learning from Mentors

33:49 Navigating the Challenges of Teaching Music

34:50 The Impact of Encouraging Teachers

35:56 Bridging Classical and Irish Music

36:58 The Importance of Skill Development

39:25 Teaching Techniques and Learning by Ear

41:21 The Role of Sheet Music in Learning

43:03 Understanding Irish Music's Unique Characteristics

45:57 The Journey of Learning Fiddle Techniques

48:25 Creating a Community Through Music

50:43 The Importance of Consistent Practice

52:52 Exploring Cape Breton and Irish Music

56:37 Building Connections Through Tunes

01:00:18 The Role of Resources in Music Education

Liz Knowles and Hannah chat about insights on effective practice strategies for musicians, emphasizing the concept of 'pistons' firing simultaneously to achieve mastery. In this interview, you'll walk away with a treasure trove of practical tips on memory, repertoire, and self-assessment to further improve your practicing skills and develop your Irish fiddling lilt!

Resources mentioned:

• Seeing is Forgetting by Robert Irwin
• Liz Carroll's three tunes: The Source air, Hopping from West to East hop jig, Clonakilty reel (from Collected III)
• Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Molly Gebrian

Connect with Liz and join her LizNotes newsletter here:

• LizNotes
• https://www.lizknowles.com/

Want to support the Find Your Lilt podcast and learn some new tunes by ear? Become a Tune Library member!

Chapters

• 00:00 Reconnecting with Liz Knowles
• 06:09 Teaching and Developing Practice Skills
• 16:51 Memory and Spaced Repetition
• 24:58 Extended Repetition and Memory
• 30:27 The Illusion of Mastery and Continuous Learning
• 36:25 Assessing Progress and Self-Trust
• 47:33 The Passage of Time and Evolution of Skills

Jack Hughes didn't grow up playing fiddle – he started as a trumpet player, picking up the violin at 21 years old. Yet his thoughtful approach to practicing and performing Irish traditional music offers tremendous insights for musicians at any stage in their journey.

In this illuminating conversation, Jack reveals how his trumpet background shaped his distinctive fiddle methodology. He explains his practice of beginning every session by focusing on what Suzuki called "natural tone" – allowing the instrument to speak with ease rather than forcing sound production. This foundation of relaxation and clarity becomes the bedrock upon which everything else is built.

The discussion delves deep into the art of deliberate practice. Jack shares a transformative insight from his teacher Brendan Mulvihill: "Play it 500 times as is and then you can vary it." This patient approach – giving every note its due time rather than rushing to performance speed – creates playing that feels effortless even at high tempos. Jack articulates how slowing down recordings of master musicians reveals their relaxed technique beneath seemingly blazing speeds.

Perhaps most valuably, Jack outlines his performance preparation process. Rather than practicing isolated sections, he advocates for contextual practice – playing entire sets without stopping, just as in performance. This builds the confidence to maintain rhythm and flow regardless of small technical mistakes. His approach to recording practice sessions also separates creative playing from critical evaluation, allowing both to happen more effectively.

Throughout the conversation, Jack's philosophy emerges: "There's no point in playing this music if you're not enjoying it." His approach prioritizes finding joy in the process, believing the most compelling performances come from musicians truly invested in the emotional heart of the music rather than technical showmanship alone.

Whether you're a seasoned musician or just beginning your journey, Jack's thoughtful perspective offers practical wisdom to transform your relationship with practice and performance. How might focusing on ease and natural tone change your own approach to music-making?

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

Join me for an inspiring chat with Claire Shirey, the founder of the Nashville Irish Music School. We delve into the music and dance connection in the Irish traditional scene. Highlights include Claire's journey from dancer to musician, the evolution of the Nashville Irish scene, and fostering a love for Irish music among youth.

• Claire’s transition from Irish dance to focusing on music
• Insights on playing for Irish dance competitions
• Importance of leading sessions within the music community
• The unique connection between dance and music
• Growth of Nashville Irish Music School
• Building a supportive community through music and dance
• Claire's experiences at various music festivals and dance competitions
• The influence of traditional Irish tunes in performances
• Future plans for collaboration and performance

If you would like to learn more about Claire, you can check her out at https://claireshireymusic.com/.

Tennessee residents can learn more about participating in Claire's school at https://middletnirish.org/

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

This episode explains the different types of music practice—naive, purposeful, and deliberate—and how they impact skill development in Irish fiddling. Hannah discusses practical strategies for each type, encouraging listeners to engage in better practices to achieve their musical goals. 
• Exploring naive practice and its pitfalls 
• Recognizing the shift to purposeful practice 
• Importance of feedback in practice sessions 
• Deliberate practice and pushing through challenges 
• Building mental representations for memorizing music 
• Encouraging a balanced approach to practice and enjoyment

This episode was inspired by the book Peak by K. Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool.

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

In this episode of the Find Your Lilt podcast, host Hannah Harris speaks with Taylor Morris, an enthusiastic educator and musician based in Arizona. They discuss Taylor's journey into music education, his teaching philosophy centered around joy and flexibility, and the importance of engaging students in multiple ways to foster a love for music. Taylor debunks common misconceptions about learning styles and emphasizes the need for adaptability in teaching methods. The conversation highlights the significance of experimentation in both teaching and learning, encouraging students to explore various approaches to music-making.

Connect with Taylor more over on Instagram and his website!

To learn more about Gilbert Town Fiddlers, visit here!

Looking for a summer string camp in Arizona? Check out StringPlay!

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!

In this episode of the Find Your Lilt Podcast, host Hannah Harris engages in a lively discussion with fiddle legends + mentors Liz Carroll and Liz Knowles. The conversation delves into the intricacies of Irish music, focusing on teaching techniques, the importance of call and response, and the exploration of tunes. Both Lizzes share their insights on how to select tunes for workshops, the significance of improvisation, and the balance between tradition and modernity in music. They also discuss the concept of authenticity in Irish music and how it relates to personal expression and community acceptance. Throughout the episode, listeners gain valuable perspectives on the journey of learning and playing Irish music, emphasizing the joy of exploration and the importance of finding one's unique voice within the tradition.

To listen to and support The Lizzes Podcast, you can find their Patreon page here!

Want to support the show? Consider becoming a Tune Library member! For $10/month you get access to my entire library of tune tutorials + bonus videos to help you further develop your ear training skills.

I'd also love to keep in touch with you via my Sunday Irish fiddle newsletter -- sign up for free here!