Mark Engel

I trained in classical violin using the Suzuki method from childhood. I didn’t enjoy classical repertoire as a child, so I quit playing for a number of years. However, I later developed a love of bluegrass music and picked up the violin to learn fiddle-style music. Using YouTube lessons and ear‑based practices, I learned a system for improvising and navigating chord changes that lets me accompany most contemporary songs and adapt them for fiddle. My approach includes chopping and rhythmic bowing, plus soloing from a double‑stop perspective. If you are an intermediate player and want to know how to play along with contemporary songs, perform fiddle music, and improvise confidently, then I can teach you!

I began playing in bands and discovered that a good bass player is often the most difficult member to find. So, I bought a bass, recorded myself, and learned how to play. I learned that restraint is powerful: playing the right note at the right time supports the song more than showing off. I teach players how to craft simple, effective bass parts that serve the arrangement. I primarily use a pick but I also teach beginner fingerstyle technique

Through my experience playing multiple instruments, I discovered that I’m most passionate about arranging songs, which led me to record and write my own music. I discovered that a strong arrangement can elevate a modest song, while a weak arrangement can dull a great one. Through experimentation I learned some of the fundamentals of recording, arrangement, and songwriting. I teach songwriting, arrangement, and basic home-recording techniques to help songwriters develop ideas and produce listenable demos.