Fiddle, Nyckelharpa, Bass & Cello

You are in Week 1 Fiddle, Nyckleharpa, Bass & Cello Courses
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Beginning Fiddle: This beginning level class will teach the basics of playing the violin, with the goal of having students emerge from the class with the confidence and techniques necessary to play simple fiddle tunes. Tuning, bowing, scales, intonation and tunes themselves will be taught in this first step into the fascinating world of fiddling. 
Period 1, Ryan Koons

Swedish Fiddle:  Intermediate - Advanced   This class will focus primarily on the fiddle and dance music of Jamtland.  Jamtland is both a historical province and a modern county in the middle of Sweden and on the border of Norway. Much of the fiddle music of Jamtland is related to folk dance from both the Jamtland and Swedish gammeldans traditions, including hambo, snoa and variations of polka, polska, mazurka and schottis.  Participants are encouraged also to enroll in the Scandinavian music and dance class, which will be co-taught by Goran Ohlsson (fiddle & dance) and Peter Hedlund (nyckelharpa & fiddle). 
Period 2 , Göran Ohlsson and Peter Hedlund

Nyckelharpa This 2-period class is for all nyckelharpa players regardless of skill level. Emphasis and content will depend somewhat on skill level and interest of participants. Basic topics such as proper holding of the instrument, tuning, finger technique, bowing technique and exercises, the use of harmony and chords, rhythm and style, playing with others, history and background of the instrument and its traditions will be covered using the language of tunes and melodies, both traditional and contemporary. This is a deeper discourse than the sister course offering, "Scandinavian Music,”  with a focus on a repertoire particular to the nyckelharpa. Teaching will be "by ear" and use of a recording device is strongly recommended. Periods 3 & 4,  Peter Hedlund

Scottish Fiddle: see Band Workshops, Scottish Ensemble Period 3

Bass: This class will cover technique, theory and how the bass interfaces with other band instruments in many genres, including bluegrass, Celtic, blues, old-time and folk music. All levels of students are welcome. The instructors will be teaching from the perspective of acoustic bass, but electric bass players are welcome.
Period 1, Tom Wetmore and Ralph Gordon

Traditional Cello: Often overlooked, the cello has long been featured in various types of American roots music. Far easier to transport than the string bass, the cello can often be found “holding down the bottom end” of a string band, while doing double-duty as a beautiful lead melody instrument. The class will explore the ways the cello is now used in traditional music. Fiddle tunes from old time, contra dance, Scottish and Irish repertoires will be taught, as well as how to create bass lines and melodic accompaniment to songs and tunes, and how to employ rhythmic bowing techniques.  Period 2, Ralph Gordon and Michael G. Ronstadt

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