Folk Fiddle: What a good idea!

Generally, most music pupils who find me, specialising in folk music, tend to be either classically trained (at some time), or beginners. I am happy to help any. Although the end result wanted - to be able to play the fiddle, mandolin, melodeon, tenor banjo, guitar or ukulele decently - is the same whether someone is learning classically or otherwise, I would say that learning folk music needs a bit more immersion in the genre.

Listening to live (preferably) music is very much more important. Also, playing by ear, or from music?

I run a monthly traditional english tune session with an average of 20-25 musicians of all types, of whom 3 choose to read the dots, and the others have learned the tunes (not hard, as you normally only have two keys to worry about, and we have a repertoire of common tunes) by ear.

Is it a co-incidence that it is the three most highly-trained and qualified musicians in the room who are buried in the manuscript book in front of them, whereas the rest are making eye contact & grinning like idiots at the delights of the music?

We don't mind, we all play the music, so it is not essential to play by ear. I teach either way - the beginners & folkies can get to learn to read music, and I encourage the readers to have a go at learning some tunes they like the sound of.