Old Time Workshops with the Foghorn String Band - Fiddle

Adult Group Class / Fiddle & Cello Program

Sammy, Caleb, Nadine,and Reeb will get together at the beginning of the workshop with all the participants and demonstrate the tunes that will be taught during the workshop. The groups will then separate and work on the tunes and get together at the end to play them all together in a relaxed, positive and supportive environment.

I like to teach fiddle by jumping right in and teaching tunes. With old time fiddling, the bowing is probably the most important factor. There is a lot of syncopation in old time fiddling rhythm so this will be the focus of every tune. So I'll start by teaching tunes that have a repetitive bowing pattern throughout both the A and B parts and we'll move on to other tunes that just vary slightly in their patterns. After a few tunes are learned this way and certain bowing patterns are recognized, it should be easier to hear these rhythms in other tunes and should be helpful for learning new tunes.

I will be teaching tunes in standard tuning (GDAE) for G,C and F tunes , high bass tuning (ADAE) for D tunes and A modal tunes and cross tuning (AEAE) for A tunes.

Prerequisites: This is an intermediate/advanced class so students must be comfortable with the fiddle and have a general knowledge of what "old time" fiddle is and have a few tunes they feel comfortable leading in a jam session. Also, students must be open to "cross-tuning" the fiddles to get that authentic old time sound. Many students find a recording device really helpful so bring and audio and/or visual recorder if one will be useful.