Fiddle

Overview

Class Code – FAB

This class is for those who have never played fiddle before. You will be taught how to hold the fiddle and bow and learn to play some very simple tunes by ear.

You will focus on:

• Holding your fiddle and bow
• Bowing the strings
• Tuning your Fiddle
• Fingering /naming notes
• Learning by ear
• Learning some simple tunes

Overview

Class Code – FI1

This class is for those who can hold fiddle and bow comfortably, play a few notes and are ready to learn some tunes.

You will focus on:

• Holding your fiddle and bow / tuning your fiddle
• Bowing the strings
• Fingering / naming notes
• Learning simple tunes by ear
• Playing simple tunes using easy time signatures e.g song, air, waltz or march
• Trad music introduction to waltzes, reels, marches, jigs, hornpipes, strathspeys

* See FIO Class for Online option

Overview

Class Code – FI2

This class is for those who can hold a fiddle, bow confidently and play a tune or two hesitantly. You’re ready build up control and stamina.

You will focus on:

• Holding fiddle/bow comfortably and tuning your fiddle
• Using bow more confidently
• Improving fingering / naming notes
• Playing simple tune by ear
• Playing tunes using basic time signatures
• Learning simple scales and arpeggios
• Trad music introduction to waltzes, reels, marches, jigs, hornpipes, strathspeys

* See FIO Class for Online option

Overview

Class Code – FI3

This class is for those who can hold fiddle & bow confidently, play tunes slowly and are ready to build up control and stamina to play at a more challenging pace.

You will focus on:

• Playing tunes with different time signatures e.g waltzes reels, marches, jigs, hornpipes, strathspeys
• Playing simple tunes faster and more fluently
• Learning & practising simple ornamentations
• Learning more scales / arpeggios
• Practising simple bowing techniques (eg string crossing)
• Increasing knowledge of traditional music

* See FIO for Online Class

Overview

Class Code – FIO

An online class for those who can’t attend John Wheatley college, covering the range of Beginner / Improver skills.

Overview

Class Code – FP1

For those who are confident with fiddle and bow and able to play a few simple tunes at a slow pace. Able to learn comfortably by ear and play fluently with simple bowing and good tuning and tone.

You will focus on:

• Playing fiddle more competently
• Improving tone
• Increasing your repertoire of tune styles
• Learning sets of simple tunes
• Improving your technical skills
• Learning scales / arpeggios
• 3 or 4 new tunes per term

* See FPO for Online Class

Overview

Class Code – FP2

For those who feel comfortable with their Fiddle and can play a number of tunes with confidence, in tune, with fluent bowing style. Working at playing tunes at a faster pace with more stamina.

You will focus on:

• Improving tone / using effective tuning
• Increasing repertoire
• Increasing knowledge of varied time signatures
• Playing more complex tunes
• Playing sets of tunes
• Improving technical skill / ornamentation
• Improving fluency
• Revising scales / arpeggios
• at least 4 to 5 new tunes per term

* See FPO for Online Class

Overview

Class Code – FP3

A class for those who play a wide range of tunes with confidence, in tune with fluent bowing. Working at playing with faster pace and a repertoire of tunes a bit more challenging than at the previous level.

You will focus on:

• Playing at a faster speed
• Increasing repertoire
• Increasing knowledge of varied time signatures
• Playing more complex tunes / sets
• Improving technical skills ornamentation & fluency
• Using simple harmonies
• 5 or 6 new tunes per term

* See FPO for Online Class

Overview

Class Code – FPO

An online class for those who can’t attend John Wheatley college, covering the range of Progression skills.

Overview

Class Code – FTA

A class for those who can play a wide range of tunes with confidence, in tune with fluent bowing. Now developing understanding of musical variety of rhythm, syncopation, dynamics, techniques and approaches to playing.

You will focus on:

• Playing confidently by ear
• Playing sets of tunes at appropriate speed
• Some music reading skills
• Playing in different keys
• Understanding different traditional styles of playing
• ‘Scotch’ snap / Grace Notes
• Playing complex sets. changing key & tempo
• More unusual key signatures
• Musical invention and composition
• Playing together / harmonies
• Playing triplets / chords /drones
• Playing offbeats and onbeats
• 1 or 2 tunes per week