I understand about some violinists "playing folk badly is much more an indictment of their ear than of their training", but is it not also about bowing techniques, ornamentation on tunes, regional styles, etc? Once classically trained "fiddlers" are in the classically trained mould, can they break that mould?

As a poor instrumentalist myself, I hesitate to come into this discussion, but I can answer that question. I have a friend, now in his late 40s. As a child from 4 to 14, he was brought up in a classical-only household, his father a first-class player of piano, harpsichord, clarinet, viol-de-gamba. He learnt piano and violin from top-class classical teachers, using formal methods and passing many exams.

In his late teens and twenties, he rebelled against classical and tried guitar on pop and various ethnic music. He then went back to the violin and tried jazz.

When he had children, he decided to settle down, and in his 30's did a music degree, specialising in violin.

So, the musical education and instrumental teaching has given him an excellent technique and the ability to sight read any music. His adventures into pop and folk gave him the ability to pick up a tune by ear and to play with others. He learned to improvise from listening to and playing jazz, and playing baroque classical music.

So, where is he now? He leads a small baroque orchestra and a baroque quartet (baroque fiddle), plays classical violin with a number of chamber groups, is lead fiddler (electric) and singer with a local pop group, plays a modern fiddle with an occasional jazz combo. With all this and some teaching, he manages to make a living.

When we meet, he insists on me and my son singing and playing guitar, and blows us away with his fiddle accompaniment. He listens once to my Swarbrick tracks and repeats them with variations.

All this is based on a superb technique (learned formally) and an excellent ear (by listening). (There may be a bit of natural ability there as well.) I think this is possibly the best way - if you listen and try "informal" music while learning classical technique, you have all the options open. I tried learning classical guitar technique after years of folk/blues playing, and it didn't work - I had too many "bad" habits.

So, the answer to the question above is "YES". Why did it take me so long to say so!!!

Phil