Stewart Hardy

North East Fiddle School returns with another block of fully online materials, plus a single day workshop in-person which this block will form part of our first NEFS Residential Weekend.

Technique and tunes are taught through Video Tutorials which are added to weekly and can be accessed indefinitely after that so you can work at your own pace.

This block we are delighted to present a special video tutorial by NEFS friend and guest tutor, Grace Smith.

For those who enjoy the live engagement, there are weekly Fiddle Practice sessions and tunes taught live on Zoom each Wednesday evening for the five weeks of the block. These are great fun, and a good way to keep up with playing your fiddle regularly, whilst improving your technique and learning some core repertoire tunes. We will then hold a Zoom play-through of our new video tutorial and live tunes on Weds 7th December.

There is a full day’s workshop on Saturday 3rd December which this block will be in person at Shepherds Dene and can be booked separately as part of the NEFS Residential Weekend.
Check out the NEFS website for full details, see which tunes are being taught this block by myself and Melissa Whitehead, and you can book online through the website:  http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/

NEFS Residential Weekend
Fri 2nd – Sun 4th December 2022
Shepherds Dene Retreat Centre

For full details, see the NEFS Residential Weekend web page on the NEFS website.

We will be holding our first in-person NEFS Residential Weekend at the beautiful Shepherds Dene Retreat Centre near Riding Mill on Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th December 2022.

This weekend will include our usual Saturday Workshop for the block, which will be on Saturday 3rd December 10.00 am – 5.00 pm. There will be three tune workshops and a session during the day, which will give us a chance to learn new tunes, work on the relevant techniques, and play some of our NEFS tunes together. Tea and coffee is provided, and there is the option to add lunch provided by the venue. Otherwise you are welcome to bring a packed lunch, or to drive down into Riding Mill for something to eat. The lunch break will be 1 hour long.

In addition, we will begin the weekend on Friday evening with dinner and an informal session, and there will be an option to book Bed & Breakfast, so you can stay over, ready for the workshop on Saturday.

After the workshop on Saturday, they is the option to stay for dinner, and to join us for the evening. We are planning a short informal concert to inspire and entertain you, and this will be followed by a session. The bar will be open to purchase drinks and there is again an option of bed and breakfast, so you can relax and enjoy the evening.

On Sunday morning, some short 1-1 sessions with Stewart will be available for those who are interested, and we will recap Saturday’s tunes, or learn a new one, depending on what people would like to do. We will finish the weekend with lunch provided by Shepherds Dene before we head home.

We have come up with some packages to allow you to book the events you wish to attend. These include the following options:

• Saturday Workshop (tea & coffee included, bring a packed lunch, or…)
• add Lunch provided by the venue during the Saturday workshop
• Evening meal and a session (Friday evening, and/or Saturday evening including the concert)
• Bed & Breakfast on Friday and/or Saturday night
• Sunday workshop and lunch

Some or all of these options can be booked as packages, with residential and non-residential options available. For full details, see the NEFS Residential Weekend web page.

Block 6 Online Option is also available to book separately.

Please email or use the contact form for with any queries. To book your place, please place your order in  the NEFS Shop.

North East Fiddle School returns with another block of fully online materials, plus a single day workshop in-person which this block will form part of our first NEFS Residential Weekend.

Technique and tunes are taught through Video Tutorials which are added to weekly and can be accessed indefinitely after that so you can work at your own pace.

This block we are delighted to present a special video tutorial by NEFS friend and guest tutor, Grace Smith.

For those who enjoy the live engagement, there are weekly Fiddle Practice sessions and tunes taught live on Zoom each Wednesday evening for the five weeks of the block. These are great fun, and a good way to keep up with playing your fiddle regularly, whilst improving your technique and learning some core repertoire tunes. We will then hold a Zoom play-through of our new video tutorial and live tunes on Weds 7th December.

There is a full day’s workshop on Saturday 3rd December which this block will be in person at Shepherds Dene and can be booked separately as part of the NEFS Residential Weekend.
Check out the NEFS website for full details, see which tunes are being taught this block by myself and Melissa Whitehead, and you can book online through the website:  http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/

Join us for our first NEFS Virtual Winter Workout

This Friday evening Play-along Session in Harmony for all instruments will be led by Stewart. It will form part of the Virtual Winter Workout, and access is included in the ticket price.

Players of any instrument are welcome to join this Friday evening session, and notation with harmomies and chord suggestions, as well as audio files will be provided in advance. Notation in other key signatures for transposing instruments, or other clefs, can be provided with enough notice.

If you wish to attend this Friday evening session but not the full Virtual Winter Workout, please purchase a Friday Play-along Session Only ticket.

As a bonus, you can join us on Saturday evening as well, where all the fiddle players will be led in tunes by Stewart and our guest tutors Kevin Lees and Grace Smith. There will also be short performance spots by the tutors which you are welcome to enjoy.

North East Fiddle School returns with another block of fully online materials, plus a single day workshop in-person.

Technique and tunes are taught through Video Tutorials which are added to weekly and can be accessed indefinitely after that so you can work at your own pace.

For those who enjoy the live engagement, there are weekly Fiddle Practice sessions and tunes taught live on Zoom each Wednesday evening for the five weeks of the block. These are great fun, and a good way to keep up with playing your fiddle regularly, whilst improving your technique and learning some core repertoire tunes.

There is a full day’s workshop on Saturday 11th February which is taught in person at Wylam Methodist Church and can be booked separately – a discount is applied if you book both.

Check out the NEFS website for full details, see which tunes are being taught this block by Stewart Hardy and Melissa Whitehead, and you will be able to book online through the NEFS Shop in the new year:  http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/

North East Fiddle School returns with another block of fully online materials, plus a single day workshop in-person.

Technique and tunes are taught through Video Tutorials which are added to weekly and can be accessed indefinitely after that so you can work at your own pace.

For those who enjoy the live engagement, there are weekly Fiddle Practice sessions and tunes taught live on Zoom each Wednesday evening for the five weeks of the block. These are great fun, and a good way to keep up with playing your fiddle regularly, whilst improving your technique and learning some core repertoire tunes.

There is a full day’s workshop on Saturday 11th February which is taught in person at Wylam Methodist Church and can be booked separately – a discount is applied if you book both.

Check out the NEFS website for full details, see which tunes are being taught this block by Stewart Hardy and Melissa Whitehead, and you will be able to book online through the NEFS Shop in the new year:  http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/

North East Fiddle School returns with another block of fully online materials, plus a single day workshop in-person.

Technique and tunes are taught through Video Tutorials which are added to weekly and can be accessed indefinitely after that so you can work at your own pace.

For those who enjoy the live engagement, there are weekly Fiddle Practice sessions and tunes taught live on Zoom each Wednesday evening for the five weeks of the block. These are great fun, and a good way to keep up with playing your fiddle regularly, whilst improving your technique and learning some core repertoire tunes.

There is a full day’s workshop on Saturday 11th February which is taught in person at Wylam Methodist Church and can be booked separately – a discount is applied if you book both.

Check out the NEFS website for full details, see which tunes are being taught this block by Stewart Hardy and Melissa Whitehead, and you will be able to book online through the NEFS Shop in the new year:  http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/

February Workshops 2023
Play-along Session in Harmony for Mixed Instruments

This will be a Zoom call open to intermediate players (and above) of any instrument. Notation will be provided in advance for all the tunes, together with suggestions for basic chords and a harmony line, but feel free to join in by ear! You can play the tune along with Stewart, play an accompaniment with a bass line, chords or a harmony (your own or follow the suggestions) or enjoy playing the tune whilst Stewart plays a harmony. If you wish to join in on an instrument with a different range from the fiddle, or with specfic key requirements, please get in touch before booking.

Zoom Workshop
Friday 3rd February, 19:00 – 21:00
£20
February Workshops: £20 each.
Buy any two for £35 or all three for £50. The discount will be applied in your basket.

If you haven’t attended a music workshop on Zoom before, here is a page of Zoom Workshop Tips to get the most out of your experience. A strong and reliable internet connection, plus headphones or an external speaker are recommended. A recording of the live call will be available for those who experience technical difficulties, or who find themselves unable to attend the live Zoom call.

February Workshops 2023
Fiddle Workshop 1

Zoom Workshop
Saturday 4th February: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Competent Beginner to Upper Intermediate level

Flatworld (A. Cutting)
One of Andy Cutting’s greatest hits, this is such a fantastic English waltz with a continental flavour. Recorded by many musicians and still frequently played in sessions, this is a must have tune for any musician, but particularly anybody wanting to build up their English repertoire.

£20
February Workshops: £20 each.
Buy any two for £35 or all three for £50. The discount will be applied in your basket.

If you haven’t attended a music workshop on Zoom before, here is a page of Zoom Workshop Tips to get the most out of your experience. A strong and reliable internet connection, plus headphones or an external speaker are recommended.