Take one-on-one virtual fiddle lessons with Peter Schwarz to learn Cajun fiddling Dewey Balfa style.
Cajun Fiddle Lessons with Peter Schwarz
Take one-on-one virtual fiddle lessons with Peter Schwarz to learn Cajun fiddling Dewey Balfa style.
Dewey Balfa's Method, via long-time student Peter Schwarz
Dewey Balfa, a national living treasure and leader of the Balfa Brothers, was dedicated to sharing the rich oral tradition he inherited from his family and ancestors. I had the privilege of studying with him and assisting in teaching others, and now I would like to extend this same opportunity to you through virtual fiddle lessons.
Dewey's method begins with rhythmic bowing patterns and playing simple second fiddle right from the start. Each lesson introduces a different concept, each with its own name – the corner post, rhythm indicators, twice the power, the roadmap, low melodies, and then we dive into lead-playing tricks like drones, slides, and trills, all in the spirit of the Dewey Balfa style.
We do all of this by ear, with each string of the fiddle tuned a whole step lower than usual. Get ready for some fun with these cajun fiddle lessons!
Peter's Story
Luckiest Kid Ever
My father Tracy Schwarz and Dewey Balfa met at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964. They didn't know it at the time, but this was the beginning of decades of collaboration and friendship, and not just between the two of them, but amongst our two families as well. I grew up firmly planted on this cultural bridge they were building, watching and learning as they recorded projects such as "Traditional Cajun Fiddle" (Folkways, 1976). I remember being captivated by the emotion of Dewey's playing. I wanted to play just like that, forever. I still do.
(Photo by Dan Peck. 1982 Philadelphia Folk Festival)
Thank you National Endowment for the Arts
Thanks to Dewey and the Folk Arts Division of the NEA, I was awarded an apprenticeship grant in 1984 to live and study with Mr. Balfa in Basile, LA. For about 6 weeks, Dewey and I would sit down, knee to knee, I would hit the record button on my Sony Walkman Professional, and we would work. Dewey started at the beginning, with the fundamentals of intonation, how to move across the fingerboard, the unique rhythm, and the history baked into the songs, and their inventors. As we progressed, so did his methodology. I was learning, and at the same time he was fine-tuning his teaching style. He included me on 2 recording sessions that same year. Many consider the album "Souvenirs" (Swallow Records) to be his masterpiece. I was 16 years old, deeply committed to learning his music, welcomed into his family and community, and I had played on a Grammy-nominated record. As they say in Louisiana, "Can you believe?"
Assistant Instructor
Dewey's focus on preserving and perpetuating his Louisiana music tradition was in full stride through the 1980s. Amongst a range of many efforts, he began to teach at week-long music camps, (like Augusta Heritage Workshops in West Virginia, pictured here). I again got an outrageous opportunity, this time to work as his assistant. His methodology, that he had fine-tuned during my apprenticeship, worked beautifully with larger groups. I would peel off with individual students, break down particular passages and help them catch up with the group. I eventually was entrusted with my own class that solely focused on Dewey's second fiddling techniques. We really got the method dialed in, and it was a thrill to hear 15-20 students all together in one room playing his music.
Keeping the Tradition Going
Despite the devastation of his passing in 1992, Dewey's family and all of in his wider family of colleagues and collaborators and supporters knew what we had to do to keep his vision moving forward. I started giving lessons to a little kid named Courtney Granger, a grand-nephew of Balfa's, who just a few years later blossomed into one of the finest traditional musicians in Louisiana history (pictured here). I wrote my first song in that time period, and embarked on a decade of teaching, performing and recording, helping out dear friends like Christine Balfa and the band Balfa Toujours, and seminal supporters of the tradition such as Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys. Since moving to Texas in 1999, I've just kept playing and teaching whenever I could, and was especially thrilled to keep sharing Dewey's method at places like the Dewey Balfa Week at Louisiana Folk Roots.
What's the best way to learn and teach today?
While I've loved working week-long intensive music camps, I was recently reminded of the power of a slower pace of one-to-one instruction. A young fiddler asked if I would be interested in serving as a master artist for her apprenticeship. Sound familiar? This was the first time in 40 years that I got to sit down and over the course of a couple months more deliberately teach Dewey's method, listen to her progress, and make suggestions. This relaxed schedule gave my apprentice time to absorb each lesson before moving on. I believe these lessons, taught weekly, using the latest virtual technologies, and interacting in real time (versus use of instructional videos without any back-and-forth), make it possible to progress with deeper understanding and less frustration, wherever you may be.
Thank you Dewey and Papa Tracy
My own father passed away in March of 2025. The friendship and music that bound these two men together so many years ago becomes more and more meaningful to me each day. Their efforts and passion are not complete, nor should it be assumed to remain vital just through their recorded history. These traditions need to be lived and learned again with each generation, in an unbroken chain of personal experiences, knee-to-knee. I can't wait to show you what they taught me.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age students do you accept?
This instruction goes beyond merely learning the notes of songs; it is a journey into the spiritual and emotional core of Cajun music. Peter is an extraordinary teacher who possesses a remarkable blend of skill, humility, patience, and an unwavering dedication to preserving the culture of how Cajun music is taught to others face-to-face. I grew up in Southwest Louisiana, where I attended Cajun dance halls with my parents, and my mom taught me how to dance and sing. While the music and culture were familiar to me, the generational impact and recipe of this music were revealed through Peter's mentorship in his Cajun fiddle lessons. His knowledge of technique and the history of the music, particularly in the Dewey Balfa style, is unparalleled. Eight months ago, I was completely new to the fiddle and lacked any formal training. Peter began our virtual fiddle lessons with the basics of rhythm indicators and the corner post on which we have built everything else. Today, I can proudly play 22 songs! Lâche Pas! Allons!
Is the first lesson free?
Peter is an intentional, patient, and intuitive teacher, particularly in cajun fiddle lessons. I believe his ability to lay foundational building blocks while offering progressive stylings and techniques, including the Dewey Balfa style, is informative to any player. Peter teaches through a cultural lens, centers lineage, and provides a solid, nuanced, and artful perspective. Learning with Peter is akin to learning a musical language. He has left an everlasting imprint on my approach to fiddle and folk music at large. I am grateful and humbled for the time we have spent knee to knee, including our engaging virtual fiddle lessons. Any student or peer is lucky to learn, listen, and play with Peter, a torchbearer in his own right.
What prior skills must I have on the fiddle, in order to work together?
I'll work with all skill levels in my cajun fiddle lessons. This is the beauty of a traditional method like Dewey Balfa's style. There was no formal training pathway for inexperienced players. We don't read notes, or play scales, or focus on how to hold our bow or instrument. It is all about participation and playing music together, from the first lesson forward. For more experienced players, we can progress right into bowing patterns and fingering techniques of Dewey's style. The journey is as fun as the destination, whether in-person or through virtual fiddle lessons!
What do I need to do to prepare for the first lesson?
To state the obvious: you need a working violin or fiddle and bow. Perhaps you can already tune all four strings and have figured out how to rosin your bow. If you are really ready, you have even modified your tuning from standard EADG tuning to the Cajun-specific style we will start with, which is one step down (DGCF). This is essential for those looking to take Cajun fiddle lessons in the Dewey Balfa style or to join our virtual fiddle lessons.
What platform do we use for virtual lessons?
We use Zoom for our virtual fiddle lessons, including cajun fiddle lessons in the Dewey Balfa style. To participate, you will need a reasonably good internet connection and a computer, tablet, or smartphone equipped with a webcam and microphone (usually internal or incorporated with the webcam). Simple headphones are also recommended, along with a basic understanding of Zoom to set up your free account and modify 1-2 settings for playing music.
Are there additional learning tools provided (in addition to the one-on-one lessons)?
Yes, I will email various assets when appropriate, such as fingering charts and short videos of particular passages, so you can practice in between your cajun fiddle lessons. Keep in mind, we won't be relying on videos for the bulk of your lessons. The emphasis will be on call-and-response interactions and tips to guide you as you learn Dewey Balfa style during the virtual fiddle lessons.
Do you give in-person lessons?
Yes, if you are in the Austin area and interested in Cajun fiddle lessons, particularly in the Dewey Balfa style, I'd love to work with you in person. I don't have a specific location available, but depending on where you live, I can come to you. Additionally, if you're looking for virtual fiddle lessons, I can accommodate that as well.
How much do lessons cost, and how do I pay you?
Please contact me for pricing options for my cajun fiddle lessons. The best value is available through advance purchases of 5-packs or 10-packs, which include either 30-minute or 1-hour sessions. I accept various online payment options like Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal. Additionally, I am willing to provide support if you are pursuing an application to study, such as for an apprenticeship grant, particularly if you're interested in learning the Dewey Balfa style or taking virtual fiddle lessons.
Other?
Go to the contact me section below, and let me know what other questions you might have about my cajun fiddle lessons or the Dewey Balfa style. Don't be shy about asking anything, including details on virtual fiddle lessons!