In this episode of the Creative Strings Podcast, Christian Howes speaks with multi-talented musician, educator, and author Rebecca Clare Douglas. From her academic training at Oxford to her exploration of folk music and teaching, Rebecca shares insights on embracing musical diversity, overcoming self-doubt, and building a sustainable career in music.
From Classical Training to Folk Music
Rebecca’s journey began with an academic music degree at Oxford, where she honed her skills in performance and composition. However, after years of balancing teaching and performing, she discovered that classical music alone wasn’t enough for her artistic fulfillment.
Table of Contents
“I was asking the wrong question: Am I good enough for classical music? Instead, I should have been asking: Is classical music enough for me?” — Rebecca Clare Douglas
This realization led her to explore folk traditions, starting with the Highland Fiddle Band. She delved into different regional folk styles, recognizing how they evolve and adapt over time, much like spoken accents.
The Intersection of Teaching and Performing
Throughout her career, Rebecca has navigated the balance between teaching and performing. Initially resistant to teaching, she soon realized how much she enjoyed helping others learn.
“I thought teaching was a lesser profession, but I soon found out it’s about sharing—showing someone how to do something rather than just instructing.” — Rebecca Clare Douglas
Now, she encourages her students to explore beyond traditional classical methods, incorporating ear training and improvisation into their practice. She also believes in helping musicians gain confidence so they feel empowered to share their music, whether privately or publicly.
Writing and Publishing a Book of Fiddle Tunes
Rebecca’s deep dive into folk music led her to compose and publish a book of original fiddle tunes. One of the biggest challenges in writing folk tunes, she explains, was learning to leave things open-ended—without specifying bowings, variations, or grace notes.
“Folk musicians often don’t want to learn from sheet music alone. They want to hear the tune first and interpret it in their own way.” — Rebecca Clare Douglas
To bridge this gap, she also released a companion recording so musicians could learn by ear, in true folk tradition.
Overcoming Fear and Engaging with Music
A key theme of this episode is overcoming fear—whether it’s fear of rejection, fear of not being good enough, or fear of sharing music with others. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of finding ways to engage with music in a way that feels fulfilling, rather than being bound by external expectations.
“Too often, musicians get caught up in stylistic nuances that distract from actually playing. What matters is engaging—playing, writing, teaching—whatever fuels your love for music.” — Christian Howes
Being Your Own Patron: Managing a Musical Career
Rebecca shares how she has built a career by taking initiative—whether it’s performing at weddings, teaching classes, or launching her folk duo, Douglas and Moss.
“If you can’t find someone to pay you for the kind of music you want to play, create opportunities for yourself. Be your own patron.” — Rebecca Clare Douglas
She believes in the power of adaptability and taking action to make a musical life sustainable. Whether through performing, teaching, or composing, she has found ways to blend her passions while living in a place that nurtures her creativity.
The Takeaway: Be More Bach, Less Mozart
One of Rebecca’s guiding principles is to “be more Bach, less Mozart.” She admires Bach’s ability to balance artistic work with practical demands, continuously adapting and innovating.
“Bach didn’t wait for inspiration—he worked with what was around him. His music wasn’t created in an ivory tower; it was shaped by his reality.” — Rebecca Clare Douglas
This mindset has helped her craft a fulfilling career that aligns with her values, blending performance, education, and artistic growth.
Closing Thoughts
Rebecca’s story offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to be a musician. Her journey is a testament to embracing change, taking ownership of one’s path, and finding freedom in musical exploration.
📀 Explore Rebecca’s work: www.rebeccaclaredouglas.com 📀 Check out her fiddle tune book and duo, Douglas and Moss: Douglas and Moss YouTube Channel
🔗 Special thanks to our sponsor Electric Violin Shop. If you have questions about electric violins, pedals, amplifiers, and all kinds of gear, visit www.electricviolinshop.com or call 1-866-900-8400 during business hours.