ALASKA TRADITIONAL MUSIC CAMP Classes 2008 -- FIDDLE

Basic Fiddle Technique - (Amanda Kerr) - Description coming soon

Bluegrass Fiddle I - (Gretchen Priest) - Students will learn tunes with the chords (fiddle back up) and some improvisational ideas with those tunes. We will also cover, as time allows, tips on getting good intonation, bowing fundamentals such as basic shuffle, Georgia shuffle and double shuffle, techniques to get the bow moving faster, double stops and how to kick off a tune. I will bring handouts.

Bluegrass Fiddle II - (Brian Christianson) In this class, fiddlers will work on more advanced bluegrass fiddle tunes. Fiddle bowings such as the “shuffle” and “double shuffle” will be woodshedded as well as where to put slurs to make a fiddle tune sound like a fiddle tune and not a violin piece. Students will learn more advanced double stops, slides, slurs, and getting the most out of your fiddle within your bow. Tunes will be taught by ear so bring your tape recorders. Sheet music will be available upon request.

Bluegrass Fiddle III - (Brian Christianson) This class is intended for more advanced players. Students will learn how to construct a bluegrass fiddle solo, work on more advanced double stops, and phrasing within fiddle bowings. This class will move along at a faster pace than Bluegrass Fiddle II. Students who are not up to this level of playing may still obtain valuable information by just sitting in and listening. No sheet music will be available for students in this class so bring your tape recorders. Good ear training skills are a must.

Swing Fiddle - (Brian Christianson) Fiddlers will work on popular swing and western swing tunes and learn swing chord progressions. Improvising will also be looked at after tunes are learned and passed around in a class jam session. This class is for players in all skills levels with good ear training skills.

Old-Time Fiddle II - (Trevor Stuart)
In this class, we'll explore bowing technique and get your bow-hand loosened up. We'll learn a few tunes, with a focus on getting the feel to be Oldtime and danceable. Bring a recording device.

Old-Time Fiddle III - (Trevor stuart)
This class is for advanced students. Focus on bowing, but we'll be moving through tunes more quickly than level II. Bring a recording device.

Irish Fiddle I (Rose Flanagan) I'll explain and demonstrate the basic tune types and what makes "Irish" music distinct from other types of fiddle music. Learn a few tunes, get advice on how to learn more on your own, and get a little one-on-one help with a tune you already know. Bring a recording device.

Irish Fiddle II (Rose Flanagan) This class will focus on Irish rhythm and ornamentation. We will learn representative types of tunes - reels, jigs, polkas, hornpipes, slides, etc. Bring a recording device.

Irish Fiddle III (Rose Flanagan) This class is for people already familiar with the basic techniques of Irish ornamentation - grace notes, bowed triplets, and rolls. We will focus on specific bowings, learn to incorporate ornamentation, swing into more difficult tunes, and explore the ways of varying tunes. Bring a recording device.