Could Michael Landon Really Play the Fiddle Like He Did on ‘Little House on the Prairie’?

Lauren Novak August 11, 2:38 pm

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, Michael Landon, 1974-83 — Everett Collection

Throughout Little House on the Prairie, the patriarch Charles Ingalls, played by the late Michael Landon, was occasionally shown picking up the fiddle during family gatherings or special episodes, often to celebrate a wedding, holiday or a moment of happiness. Pa’s passionate musicianship was so much a part of the character that many fans wondered if it carried over to real life: was Michael Landon actually playing the fiddle on the show? Did he know how to play it in real life? The answer, in both cases, was no.

The fiddle music that viewers heard in those episodes was added later in post-production, not performed live on set. The melody was recorded separately, and Landon simply mimed the action of playing. Careful viewers have noted that the bow movements often did not match the sound, revealing the playing was simulated.

Little House on the Prairie clockwise from bottom left: Melissa Sue Anderson, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert, Lindsay / Sidney Greenbush (center), (Season 1, 1974), 1974-83

Carl Furuta/TV Guide/NBC/Everett Collection

In a 2024 post on Facebook’s Little House fan community, fans noted that “If you watch him play the fiddle you can tell he is not playing it. His bow doesn’t move to the same tempo as the song playing,” and “Watch closely as the bow didn’t hit the strings often.”

Interestingly, the fiddle he held, while never actually played, became a meaningful piece of memorabilia. Melissa Gilbert, who portrayed his daughter Laura, later purchased the instrument and donated it to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. The museum, which celebrates both the real-life Ingalls family and the television series, features original props, costumes, and set pieces from Little House on the Prairie. Visitors can see the fiddle on display alongside other beloved artifacts, making it a special stop for fans who grew up with the show.

Beyond the fiddle, Landon did have some genuine musical roots. He had a little bit of experience with guitar, piano, and harmonica, and even recorded songs during his career. Seems kind of odd now that he never tried to learn the fiddle!

Did you realize that he wasn’t actually playing while watching the series? If you want to check it out, you can watch Little House on the Prairie on Peacock or watch the video below for an example. A remake of the series is currently in the works as well.