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Fiddle Classes

 

Beginning Fiddle 2

Sarah Comer

Four Tuesdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $80.

Pick up where the last class, “Beginning Fiddle 1,” left off and fine tune your technique while learning a few more old-time tunes. This class is open to returning students and new students with basic violin/fiddle experience. Not sure if this class is right for you? Contact Sarah at fiddleteacher@hotmail.com.

Second Session:
Four Tuesdays, May 4, 11, 18, 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $80.

Also, daytime sessions - same May dates, 12:00-1:00 p.m., 80.  

 

 

Beginning Fiddle 1

Sarah Comer

Four Tuesdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $80.
Also, daytime sessions - same dates, 12:00-1:00 p.m., $80.

Start by finding the answers to questions like “How do I hold this thing?” By the last class you’ll know how to tune a fiddle, take care of it, and play a repertoire of beginning fiddle tunes. Learn to pick up tunes by ear, with tablature as a safety net!

Introduction to Cajun Fiddling

Tami Allen

Four Thursdays, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $80.

Discover the traditional music of southern Louisiana, played for two-steps, waltzes, and jitterbug dancing. Cajun music was brought down by the French-speaking Acadiens of Canada, and simmered in a Louisiana gumbo of jazz, blues, and country music. Students will be introduced to simple melodies learned by ear, bowing rhythm, double stops, and the elements of a Cajun jam. If you can pick out a simple song like "happy birthday" by ear, you are ready for this class. At the end of this class you will have at least three new tunes to take to any Cajun jam. The final session will be a slow jam where fiddles play with Cajun accordion, guitar, and french vocals.

 

 

A Technique a Week for Fiddle

Sarah Comer

Four Mondays, May 3, 10, 17, 24, at 6:30-7:30 p.m., $80.


This class – ready-made for students who have completed Sarah’s Fiddle 2 class as well as other intermediate players – is designed to help developing fiddlers improve the way they play and practice. Each week you’ll learn a new tune and practice exercises focused on a different technique – bowing, intonation, and applied music theory – and then bring it all together in the last class. All tunes will be taught by ear, and recordings and tablature/sheet music will be available for easy download through the class website.

 

 

Fiddle Tunes and Styles of the Great Northwest

Stuart Williams

Six Wednesdays, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9, 6:30-7:45 p.m., $150.

This is the third in our series of classes on traditional old time fiddle tunes collected in the Northwest. We will highlight the mixing of regional repertoires and styles and the development of Northwestern fiddling over the last two centuries in the barn dances, mining camps, and kitchen sweats of the old Northwest, as well as at the old time fiddlers’ gatherings of the post-war era. Home-grown dance fiddlers such as Gil Kiesecker, Rusty Modrell, and Joe Pancerzewski share billing with more recent immigrants who demonstrate this mix: Scandinavian and Irish tunes played Missouri-style; Canadian and Southern tunes played Norwegian-style, and all manner of old time dance music played Northwestern-style.

 

 

Cajun Twin Fiddling

Tami Allen

Four Thursdays, May 20, 27, June 3, 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $80.


This class is geared for fiddlers that have a few Cajun tunes under their belt and would like to try harmonies and rhythm behind another fiddler. Learn chords, bowing rhythm, double stops, a few additional new tunes, elements of a Cajun jam, and tuning "down". Expand your Cajun tune repertoire and gain confidence to jump into a Cajun jam. No partner necessary, but bring a fiddle-playing friend if you have one!