Kids Group Fiddle 5 - 12 Years

Kids Group Class / Fiddle & Cello Program

Our Fiddle program is rooted in folk repertoire from around the world. In this class, young folks will focus on mastering all of the skills and tunes presented in Old Town School’s Fiddle Book One and some tunes and skills from Fiddle Book Two. We listen to, sing, dance, and play our tunes. All of this work develops the child’s ability to learn by ear. Our approach takes the time to allow children to make their own musical discoveries and meaningful connections. At all stages, we emphasize posture and playing position to provide a solid foundation. Small group division at this level has to do with motor skills, and if students need parents in the room. Embracing a social learning community, the classroom is a collaborative learning environment between teachers, parents, and students.

At this level children will learn to take care of their instrument, name the parts of their fiddle and bow, and to demonstrate a strong physical set-up. This includes having an open left wrist and rounded fingers on the neck, being able to hold their fiddle on their shoulder with no hands, demonstrating minimal tension and proper posture. They will develop a consistent bow hold with bent thumb underneath the frog, a relaxed first finger, and a rounded pinky. They will begin to demonstrate clean string-crossings and develop bowing techniques. This class teaches the notes on the E, A, and D strings and how to play a 1-octave A scale and a D scale, including naming the sharps in both key signatures.