Canadian Fiddle Styles
Instructor: April Verch
Sat., March 13, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., $35.
There are several different regional styles of fiddling in Canada from coast to coast, including Ottawa Valley, Western Canadian, Metis, Maritime, Cape Breton and French Canadian. April will provide an overview of these different styles and explore what makes each of them unique. You’ll learn to play at least one tune (by ear), and then apply bowing patterns and ornamentation techniques that are common in Canadian fiddling. Bring your recording device and lots of questions.
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Fiddle for Violinists
Instructor: Sarah Comer
Sat., March 27, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., $35.
Come learn what makes fiddle tunes sound fiddly! We will look into different ways to improve ear learning skills, learn one or two tunes by ear, and then experiment with the different techniques that fiddlers use to embellish melodies, including slides, rhythmic bowing patterns, drones, and double stops. The workshop will be geared toward players at an advanced-beginner to intermediate level, but students of any level interested in learning more about fiddling technique and ear learning are welcome.
Take with Shulamit Kleinerman’s Fiddle Ergonomics workshop at 1:30 and pay just $60 for both workshops. www.sarahcomer.com
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Fiddle Ergonomics
Instructor: Shulamit Kleinerman
Sat., March 27, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., $35.
You know it when you see it and hear it -- the kind of physical comfort that great players have with the fiddle. Although good posture is natural, most of us have to develop it intentionally when it comes to an instrument. Come learn specific guidelines you can use at home to strengthen your technique, leave behind unnecessary tension, and free up your playing. Experiment with a variety of shoulder and chin rests too.
Take with Sarah Comer’s Fiddle for Vioinists class at 10:30 and pay just $60 for both workshops. www.shulamitk.net
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Gypsy Jazz for Violin I
Instructor: Michael Gray
Sat., April 3, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., $35 ($60 for both of this instructor’s workshops).
Learn how to get around on a gypsy jazz tune or jazz standard and use your own strengths as you solo and improvise. We’ll cover the fiddle styles of Stéphane Grappelli and others, tone production, improvising melodic lines, and what to do when you get lost. All levels; ability to read chord charts helpful.
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Gypsy Jazz for Violin II
Instructor: Michael Gray
Sat., April 3, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., $35 ($60 for both of this instructor’s workshops).
Continuing the ideas explored in session I, we’ll lay the groundwork for a more personal outlook on the instrument through in-depth analysis of chord and scale structures, and explore how to incorporate that structure into your solos and other playing. Knowledge of chords and scales will be helpful but is not required.
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