(Change of date) Red Desert Violin and My Red Desert Violin will be going into maintenance mode on February 17th – 19th as we move hosting providers. Everything should be back up and running by February 20, 2023. Sorry for the inconvenience during that time.
Free Membership
Get regular tips plus links that will guide you to our best free content designed to help improve your playing. Work on tone, rhythm, practice tips and more, right here for free. Sign up today.
Private Consultation with Lora
Private lesson with Lora for any violin questions or issues. Get an assessment, get a customized progress plan, we can work on ANYTHING you need during this time.
Merchandise Store
Now you can get our beautiful logo on merchandise to keep you inspired! Shirts, hats, bags, mugs, and more!
Patreon Membership
You can now join Lora on Patreon and enjoy a closer, more intimate interaction with Lora and the Red Desert Violin experience!
Suzuki Book 1
Just starting out? This course is for you. My systematic videos take a beginner all the way through Suzuki Book 1 in about 7 months (take longer if you need to).
Suzuki Book 2
When you’re ready for a bigger challenge, Suzuki Book 2 could be for you! I’ll give you detailed instructions on every song and help you finish book 2 in about 8 months.
Suzuki Book 2 Songs Coach
Looking for a “lite” version of Suzuki Book 2? If you’re already studying Suzuki Book 2 with a private teacher and just want some help on the songs between lessons, this course is just for you!
Suzuki Book 3
Unlock the expressive violinist within! This course elevates your playing through bow distribution, tone development, phrase shaping, vibrato, 3rd position, shifting and much more!
Suzuki Book 4
Book 4 uses familiar, enjoyable repertoire to stretch your ability while also providing a rich opportunity to apply the skills you learned in book 3 and train yourself to execute them consistently. Come check it out!
Suz 4 Songs Coach
A perfect companion for teachers OR students, this course gives you over 200 videos, including prep exercises, technique, note-by-note teaching, play-along videos, downloadable sheet music, audio recordings, and much more.
Red Desert Fiddle (Beginner)
COMING SOON!!!!
Red Desert Fiddle (Intermediate)
Formerly “Online Fiddle” and “Red Desert Fiddle”, this course teaches you 24 great American and Irish fiddle tunes in about 8 months, PLUS the techniques you need to make any tune a foot-tappin’ show stopper!
Red Desert Fiddle Songs Coach
If you have some fiddle experience and are just looking to quickly build your repertoire, this course is for you. I’ll walk you through 24 great American and Irish fiddle tunes!
Fiddle Secrets
No time to waste? This extremely condensed course gives you the low-down on the hoedown– bowings, ornaments, and chords.
Tunes Tutorials
My all-inclusive kits give you everything you need to master a tune! Click here to explore the Tutorials Library, with new kits added every year! My all-inclusive kits give you everything you need to master a tune!
Vibrato Lessons
From the very first prep exercises to a fully developed vibrato. These classes can be purchased separately, but they are also included in the Suzuki courses.
Wohlfahrt Opus 45 (1-30)
Learn the process of studying etudes using this timeless classic. All in 1st position so you can focus on the important things like tone, technique, intonation, and more!
Learn to Read Music
This course is especially for violinists and fiddlers. In 90 days, you could be completely FLUENT at note reading!
“Introducing the Positions” by Harvey Whistler
Learning higher positions is essential for intermediate violinists. This course uses the revered book by Harvey Whistler, and guarantees fluency in 3rd and 5th position.
"Melodious Double Stops, Vol. 1" by Josephine Trott
Intermediate violinists must study double stops if they want to learn the best violin repertoire. “Melodious Double Stops” by Josephine Trott is the tried and true classic for just that. Start today!
Bow Distribution
Using songs from Suzuki Book 2, this exciting mini-course gives you in-depth discussions and demonstrations for the elusive skill of “bow distribution”.
Three-Octave Scales
Learn multiple approaches to scale and arpeggio practice to maximize the benefit to your playing. At the end of this course, scales will be your old pal, not a frightening mystery!
Bridge The Gap
Whether you need a little extra help getting ready for Suzuki Book 4 or just want to supplement your learning, click here for an intense 10-month transformation!
Simple Songs for Special Occasions
NEW!!!
For ANY skill level. This course uses simple songs to teach you how to play by ear, train your ears, memorize better, and implement your vibrato without losing control….all while mastering 10 new songs to delight your friends and family!
Ready to make the MOST of your Red Desert Violin experience?
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Just want to thank you sooooooo much for everything. What a difference you are making to my playing! Things that seemed so difficult are starting to be easy. Getting much harder to stop playing as it’s such fun… 🙂 OMG I’m more into playing the violin than I ever could have imagined….
– Catherine T.
I’m one of the “Holy crap, will I ever get this right?” people. My bow kept slipping out of my fingers, my pinky didn’t want to curve, and I couldn’t bend my wrist. But I’m persevering, and I know it will be good in the end. That’s what I love about your course. You understand that we’re all different, and you’re always encouraging and positive, and you always teach with affection and humour. I can’t recommend your lessons highly enough.
– Meg S.
I’m at the end of lesson eight of my violin lessons, and can’t believe how my playing is changing, for the better! Do you realize what a great violin teacher you are?! You do not leave out a thing. I have found other teachers on line, and they are good, too! But, you have a whole different approach. You address the basics so completely, step by step!
– Dyan R.
The people that I’ve jammed with on guitar over the years, are now asking me to take a fiddle break on most every song…I’ll carry my gratitude for ‘crossin’ your path’ with me for the rest of my life. I’ve also told a few young beginning fiddlers and their parents about you and I’m glad to know their in your care. As I grow older it seems that the greatest thrill of all is showing something to a youngster and watching the fire of their excitement and aptitude burn as they pick it up so quickly. I’m real happy to know a little of this kind of joy that you must be overflowing with.
– Charlie U.
I love the drilling practice homework and practice coach videos. I feel like I am moving forward with a plan, where before I was just learning a new tune and some ornaments, without much of a foundation. The coolest thing tho is that before I would work on the new piece or my drills scales with a little bit of dread, maybe it was fear that I wouldn’t do good enough in the next lesson. But here the pressure (whatever the cause) is gone, and I enjoy practicing all the time, look forward to playing when I get home from work, etc. That’s new and very cool.
– Edward L.Get your FREE Membership
Get started today with a free membership to MyRDV.com. We’ll serve up our best free instructional content in systematic, weekly packages.
Suzuki Book 1
Just starting out? Start here. My systematic videos take a beginner all the way through Suzuki Book 1 in about 7 months (take longer if you need to). This course is the only one of its kind on the web.
Suzuki Book 2
When you’re ready for a bigger challenge, Suzuki Book 2 could be for you! I’ll give you detailed instructions on every song and help you finish book 2 in about 8 months; plus instruction on vibrato, note reading and general techniques! This course is packed with great stuff.
Suzuki Book 2 Songs Coach
This is the “lite” version of Suzuki Book 2, teaching only the songs in the book! If you’re already studying Suzuki Book 2 with a private teacher and just want some help on the songs between lessons, this course is just for you!
Suzuki Book 3
Are you ready to take your playing to the next level? I’ll guide you through the next steps! Learn expression and musical maturity, and elevate your playing through bow distribution, tone development, phrase shaping, vibrato, 3rd position, shifting and much more!
Suzuki Book 4
Book 4 uses familiar, enjoyable repertoire to stretch your ability while also providing a rich opportunity to apply the skills you learned in book 3 and train yourself to execute them consistently. Come check it out!
Suz 4 Song Coach
A perfect companion for teachers OR students, this course gives you over 200 videos, including prep exercises, technique, note-by-note teaching, play-along videos, downloadable sheet music, audio recordings, and much more.
Red Desert Fiddle
Learn 24 great American and Irish fiddle tunes in about 8 months, PLUS the techniques you need to make any tune a foot-tappin’ show stopper!
Red Desert Fiddle Songs Coach
This course is based on the same 24 tunes from Red Desert Fiddle above. If you have some fiddle experience and are just looking to quickly build your repertoire, this course is for you. I’ll walk you through 24 great American and Irish fiddle tunes!
Fiddle Secrets
No time to waste? This extremely condensed course gives you the low-down on the hoedown– bowings, ornaments, and chords.
Tunes Tutorials
Click here to explore the Tutorials Library, with new kits added every year! My all-inclusive kits give you everything you need to master a tune! Perfect for growing your repertoire, and for the Do-It-Yourself folks out there.
Vibrato Lessons
From the very first prep exercises to a fully developed vibrato. These classes can be purchased separately, but they are also included in the Suzuki courses: Vibrato Part 1 in Suzuki Book 1, Vibrato Part 2 in Suzuki Book 2, and Vibrato Part 3 in Suzuki Book 3.
Wohlfahrt Opus 45 (1-30)
Learn the process of studying etudes using this timeless classic. All in 1st position so you can focus on the important things like tone, technique, intonation, and more!
Learn to Read Music
This course is especially for violinists and fiddlers. In 90 days, you could be completely FLUENT at note reading!
"Introducing the Positions" by Harvey Whistler
Knowing your positions opens up dozens of fingering options that are not available in 1st position. Intermediate violinists NEED to know their positions. This course uses the revered book by Harvey Whistler, and with over 75 videos, it guarantees fluency in 3rd and 5th position.
"Melodious Double Stops, Vol. 1" by Josephine Trott
The best intermediate violin repertoire requires double stops. Using the classic method book “Melodious Double Stops” by Josephine Trott, you will learn how to tackle them systematically using a special formula. You will learn how to isolate hard spots and fix them efficiently and effectively. Start today! Your favorite pieces are waiting!
Bow Distribution
Using songs from Suzuki Book 2, this exciting mini-course gives you in-depth discussions and demonstrations for the elusive skill of “bow distribution”.
Three-Octave Scales
Learn multiple approaches to scale and arpeggio practice to maximize the benefit to your playing. At the end of this course, scales will be your old pal, not a frightening mystery!
Bridge The Gap
Has your progress stalled? Having a hard time breaking a plateau? Can’t seem to get to the next level? This course uses surgical precision to address common student deficiencies, fill the gaps, and get you to the next level in 10 intense months.
Get your instrument out of its case.
You’ve got this! What kind of music will you make six months from now? Whatever it is, I would love to be part of it.