Super September Practice Challenge Week 1: Skill Building

I always say that “every good fiddler is working on the same thing in all of their tunes.” Skill building is what sets you free. It makes playing tunes more fun, less frustrating, and a whole lot more musical.

Skill work doesn’t have to be a chore. Think of it as your buddy, or your sidekick. It's the one that makes everything else—tunes, jams, and performances—feel smoother and easier.

Now, we all know this work not “easy.” If it were, everyone would be a pro. But here’s the truth: brain health, mental strength, and real musical growth are all found right beside the well-spent time and effort of going deeper into skill building.

This Week’s Focus: Re-Center on ONE Skill

Instead of trying to learn new tunes or cover more ground, focus on one skill that makes all your tunes sound better.

• If you’re in Fiddle School, open the lesson you’re currently working on and follow this checklist:

1. 1. Pull up the lesson handout.
   2. Warm up daily with the Practice Pal.
   3. Play one phrase in Noticing Time (slow + precise).
   4. Play one new part/tune in Learning Time.
   5. Jam slowly in Action Time, applying the skill.
   6. (Here’s the shift!) Stay on the same skill all week.
      
      

• If you’re not in Fiddle School (yet!), pick one thing to polish this week, such as:
  • A relaxed bow thumb
  • Clean first-finger intonation
  • Playing in time with a metronome or foot tap
  • A single scale (G or D) with confidence
    
    
• Then:
  • Set a specific micro-goal for this week: “By Sunday, I can play [insert tune/phrase] at a slow tempo with a relaxed bow hand and steady rhythm.”
  • Aim for 20–30 minutes/day, even split across several sit downs if needed. Consistency > marathons.

The Real Challenge

The hardest part isn’t knowing what to do. You already know that. The real challenge is to stay with it. Adults are brilliant at veering off into rabbit holes (“Just one more tune…" "Oh wait, I wanted to rearrange my sheet music…”), but the gold is in staying on one thread.

So this week, ask yourself:

👉 Am I going deeper into that one skill? Or am I distracting myself with something else?

If you stick with it, you’ll notice that your tunes feel cleaner, your body feels more relaxed, and your sound carries more confidence. That’s the win.

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Want to jumpstart your fiddling for fall?

Click here to officially enter our free Super September Practice Challenge, starting September 8!

At the end, one lucky fiddler will win a free playing evaluation with Katie Glassman.

 

✨ Want a full year of this kind of focus?

Every month in our Mastery Certification Program starts with a Skill Building spotlight, then layers in tunes, mindset, and performance. It’s how our fiddlers at every level go from scattered practice to steady progress! Applications for 2026 are now open, and placement is free. Apply now!