Adult Fiddle

WHERE: Classes mostly conducted over Zoom, Some Classes now at John Wheatley College

WHEN: Wednesday 7.30pm - 9.00pm Online, 7:30pm-9:15pm In College

INSTRUMENT HIRE: We have a selection of Fiddles available for hire

TERM DATES, ENROLMENT AND COST: See Membership page

GFW Playing Together – Wednesday Warm Up

Which Class?

We have adjusted our Fiddle classes, split by skill levels to offer either Online or Face to Face classes.

Don’t overthink it. Glance down the bullet points on the class descriptions and try and gauge which level seems to fit with where you’d like to be in 12-18 months.

Which Tutor?

Student numbers is the key factor in hiring tutors. Tutors own circumstances during Covid-19 will also impact which tutor will be available at your level. We are piloting some face to face classes in College this term and keeping online available in every skill level. It is possible you will not get your favourite tutor, as we will hire tutors to match student numbers. We can say for certain that you will get one of Scotland’s top tutors. Please support GFW in this tricky time and sign up for your class now.

FIDDLE CLASS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

CLASSWORK

FAB Absolute Beginners

Trish Strain

COLLEGE CLASS

Absolute Beginners

This class is for people who have never played the fiddle before.

tuning your fiddle
holding your fiddle & bow correctly
bowing the strings
fingering & naming notes
learning by ear
learning simple tunes

FB1 Beginners 1

Jame Smith

COLLEGE CLASS

Beginners Level

This level is for those who have completed Absolute Beginner level, know how to hold a fiddle and play a tune or two hesitantly and are ready to learn playing more tunes and continue improving

FBO & FBC - Beginners improving after FB1

We have 2 tutors teaching this beginners level, with a choice of either Online or in College tuition

playing simple tunes by ear
learning simple scales and arpeggios
playing a range of different time signatures
enjoying an introduction to traditional music styles e.g waltzes, reels, marches, jigs, hornpipes, strathspeys etc.
practising simple bowing techniques (eg string crossing)
increasing knowledge of traditional music
learning/practising simple ornamentations

FBO

Bernadette Kellermann

ONLINE CLASS

FBC

Finaly Allison

COLLEGE CLASS

FIO

Dan Thorpe

ONLINE CLASS

Improvers Level

For those who have completed Beginners level and have developed more confidence and stamina on fiddle e.g. able to play a few simple tunes from memory at a slow pace.

FIO & FIC

We have 2 tutors teaching a similar Improvers level, with a choice of either Online or in College tuition .

playing more confidently
playing more tunes by ear
improving tone, fluency, speed
extending repertoire e.g waltzes, reels, marches, jigs, hornpipes, strathspeys
playing more complex tunes
learning simple sets
improving your technical skills/ornamentation
continuing scales /arpeggios
Up to 7 new tunes per term, (depending on which group and what the tutors think can be managed)
extending knowledge of different time signatures

FIC

Ryan Young

COLLEGE CLASS

FPO

Sandie Forbes

ONLINE CLASS

Progression Level

For more experienced fiddle players

We have 2 tutors teaching a similar Progression level, with a choice of either Online or in College tuition .

playing by ear confidently
playing complex tunes
using fluent bowing style
building understanding of range of traditional styles
playing for performance
enhancing technical skills, bowing, ornamentaion, harmony
creating and playing complex sets of tunes
developing wide range of repertoire
at the upper level, more than one new tune per week

FPC

Rua Macmillan

COLLEGE CLASS

FT1 - Technique 1

Douglas Lawrence

ONLINE CLASS

This is a standalone class
Class postponed for the moment.

Will restart in College once Classroom space is confirmed

If you would like to join this class in future, please register your interest by dropping a note to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PLEASE NOTE

It is not expected that students will automatically move up a class level each year/term. Students should remain in the same class until they feel ready to move up to the next level. Speak to either your own tutor or a Senior Tutor for advice on which level would suit you best. We ask that Students refrain from moving class after week 3 of term to minimise disruption to other learners.