Sep
16
Fri
JSArts Fiddle Technique @ Shepherds Dene
Sep 16 – Sep 18 all-day
JSArts Fiddle Technique @ Shepherds Dene | Grantham | United Kingdom

Fiddle Technique

16th – 18th September 2022
Shepherds Dene, near Riding Mill, Northumberland, NE44 6AF

Join Stewart for a weekend of intensive fiddle tuition. The workshop will typically take a maxiumum of 14 participants and will run from 4 pm on Friday until 4 pm on Sunday afternoon.This course can accommodate a broad range of experience and ability, ranging from competent beginner to upper intermediate, but is not suitable for absolute or early beginners. All tuition, resources, accommodation, food and daytime refreshments are included. Sheet music and mp3 files of the tunes covered are sent out in advance, and recordings of exercises from the course are sent on to you afterwards.

These courses are centred around the technical issues that come with playing fiddle music, with as much emphasis on the how as there is on the what. Focusing on left-hand and bowing technique, with stylistic interpretation of the music a key feature, these workshops delve deep into the tunes, extracting exercises to improve technique and allow its application to a wider repertoire. Tunes are carefully selected for their technical or stylistic content whilst also baring in mind practical considerations such as their usefulness in folk music sessions or as dance repertoire. The tunes are taught ‘as if by ear’, meaning they are taught phrase by phrase at a tempo and with sufficient repetition to enable learning without recourse to reading notation, but with notation available at any point should that be desired or necessary. This encourages the development of aural pattern recognition and general musicality, enhancing musicianship and the enjoyment of playing music in social settings.

For further information or to request a booking form, please email Ali (jsarts@stewarthardy.co.uk)

 

**Covid-19 Update
This course will be run in accordance to our Covid-secure Music Workshop Guidelines, and is subject to any restrictions applicable at the time, and any coronavirus protocols from the venue. Please do not travel to the venue if you feel unwell or have cold-like symptoms.

~ ~ ~

Standard Level courses are aimed at fiddle players with a broad range of experience and ability, from competent beginner to upper intermediate, but please note they are not suitable for absolute or early beginners. We would expect players to have most of the following skills:
  • – playing simple dance tunes at steady to mid tempo (e.g. reels and jigs at 50-80 beats per minute)
  • – able to clap in time to a tune
  • – have basic control of the bow on the string
  • – able to slur notes together
  • – comfortable in the keys of G,D and A major and familiar with their note names
  • – familiarity with C major
  • – able to play basic scales without notation
  • – able to play at least 2 tunes without notation
In addition fiddlers who attend these courses often have some of the following experience:
  • – attend other fiddle workshops
  • – play with a community folk music group
  • – join in folk music sessions
  • – receive tuition on the fiddle/violin
Nov
4
Fri
JSArts Fiddle Technique @ Rydal Hall
Nov 4 – Nov 6 all-day
JSArts Fiddle Technique @ Rydal Hall | Grantham | United Kingdom

JSArts Fiddle Technique

4th – 6th November 2022
Rydal Hall, Rydal, Ambleside LA22 9LX

Join Stewart for a weekend of intensive fiddle tuition at this beautiful location in the Lake District. The workshop will typically take a maxiumum of 14 participants and will run from 3 pm on Friday until 3 pm on Sunday afternoon.This course can accommodate a broad range of experience and ability, ranging from competent beginner to upper intermediate, but is not suitable for absolute or early beginners. All tuition, resources, accommodation, food and daytime refreshments are included. Sheet music and mp3 files of the tunes covered are sent out in advance, and recordings of exercises from the course are sent on to you afterwards.

These courses are centred around the technical issues that come with playing fiddle music, with as much emphasis on the how as there is on the what. Focusing on left-hand and bowing technique, with stylistic interpretation of the music a key feature, these workshops delve deep into the tunes, extracting exercises to improve technique and allow its application to a wider repertoire. Tunes are carefully selected for their technical or stylistic content whilst also baring in mind practical considerations such as their usefulness in folk music sessions or as dance repertoire. The tunes are taught ‘as if by ear’, meaning they are taught phrase by phrase at a tempo and with sufficient repetition to enable learning without recourse to reading notation, but with notation available at any point should that be desired or necessary. This encourages the development of aural pattern recognition and general musicality, enhancing musicianship and the enjoyment of playing music in social settings.

For further information or to request a booking form, please email Ali (jsarts@stewarthardy.co.uk)

Venue

Rydal Hall Ltd, Rydal Hall, Rydal, Ambleside LA22 9LX

 

**Covid-19 Update
This course will be run in accordance to our Covid-secure Music Workshop Guidelines, and is subject to any restrictions applicable at the time, and any coronavirus protocols from the venue. Please do not travel to the venue if you feel unwell or have cold-like symptoms.

~ ~ ~

Standard Level courses are aimed at fiddle players with a broad range of experience and ability, from competent beginner to upper intermediate, but please note they are not suitable for absolute or early beginners. We would expect players to have most of the following skills:
  • – playing simple dance tunes at steady to mid tempo (e.g. reels and jigs at 50-80 beats per minute)
  • – able to clap in time to a tune
  • – have basic control of the bow on the string
  • – able to slur notes together
  • – comfortable in the keys of G,D and A major and familiar with their note names
  • – familiarity with C major
  • – able to play basic scales without notation
  • – able to play at least 2 tunes without notation
In addition fiddlers who attend these courses often have some of the following experience:
  • – attend other fiddle workshops
  • – play with a community folk music group
  • – join in folk music sessions
  • – receive tuition on the fiddle/violin
Nov
19
Sat
November Workshops 2022: Fiddle Workshop 1 @ Online - on Zoom
Nov 19 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

November Workshops 2022
Fiddle Workshop 1

Zoom Workshop
Saturday 19th November: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Competent Beginner to Upper Intermediate level

Twiglet (also known as Thème Vannetais)
 – a fantastic tune well known in English sessions, but which is originally a Breton An Dro

A single workshop is £20, attend two for £35 or all three for £50.
Bookings opening soon

For more information, please visit the November Workshops 2022 information page.

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.

November Workshops 2022: Fiddle Workshop 2 @ Online - on Zoom
Nov 19 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

November Workshops 2022
Fiddle Workshop 2

Zoom Workshop
Saturday 19th November: 14:00 – 16:00
Intermediate to Advanced level

Trip to Pakistan (Niall Kenn)
– a fabulous tune which Niall
tells me he wrote as an An Dro but which is often played as a slow reel.

A single workshop is £20, attend two for £35 or all three for £50.
Bookings opening soon.

For more information, please visit the November Workshops 2022 information page.

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.

Feb
4
Sat
February Workshops 2023: Fiddle Workshop 1 @ Online - on Zoom
Feb 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

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.

February Workshops 2023: Fiddle Workshop 2 @ Online - on Zoom
Feb 4 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

February Workshops 2023
Fiddle Workshop 2

Zoom Workshop
Saturday 4th February: 14:00 – 16:00
Intermediate to Advanced level

Windbroke (M. McGoldrick)
How do people who don’t even play the instrument write such good fiddle tunes? Andy Cutting is one and Michael McGoldrick is another. He has had an amazing and illustrious career with Flook, Lúnasa and Capercaillie being just three of the many hugely influential bands in which he has played. Of his many outstanding tunes, this is my personal favourite.

£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.

Mar
24
Fri
JSArts Fiddle Technique @ Rydal Hall
Mar 24 – Mar 26 all-day
JSArts Fiddle Technique @ Rydal Hall | Grantham | United Kingdom

JSArts Fiddle Technique
– Fully Booked (enquire to go on the waiting list)

24th – 26th March 2023
Rydal Hall, Rydal, Ambleside LA22 9LX

Join Stewart for a weekend of intensive fiddle tuition at this beautiful location in the Lake District. The workshop will typically take a maxiumum of 14 participants and will run from 3 pm on Friday until 3 pm on Sunday afternoon.This course can accommodate a broad range of experience and ability, ranging from competent beginner to upper intermediate, but is not suitable for absolute or early beginners. All tuition, resources, accommodation, food and daytime refreshments are included. Sheet music and mp3 files of the tunes covered are sent out in advance, and recordings of exercises from the course are sent on to you afterwards.

These courses are centred around the technical issues that come with playing fiddle music, with as much emphasis on the how as there is on the what. Focusing on left-hand and bowing technique, with stylistic interpretation of the music a key feature, these workshops delve deep into the tunes, extracting exercises to improve technique and allow its application to a wider repertoire. Tunes are carefully selected for their technical or stylistic content whilst also baring in mind practical considerations such as their usefulness in folk music sessions or as dance repertoire. The tunes are taught ‘as if by ear’, meaning they are taught phrase by phrase at a tempo and with sufficient repetition to enable learning without recourse to reading notation, but with notation available at any point should that be desired or necessary. This encourages the development of aural pattern recognition and general musicality, enhancing musicianship and the enjoyment of playing music in social settings.

This course is fully booked. For information about future course or to go on the waiting list, please email Ali (jsarts@stewarthardy.co.uk)

Venue

Rydal Hall Ltd, Rydal Hall, Rydal, Ambleside LA22 9LX

 

**Covid-19 Update
This course will be run in accordance to our Covid-secure Music Workshop Guidelines, and is subject to any restrictions applicable at the time, and any coronavirus protocols from the venue. Please do not travel to the venue if you feel unwell or have cold-like symptoms.

~ ~ ~

Standard Level courses are aimed at fiddle players with a broad range of experience and ability, from competent beginner to upper intermediate, but please note they are not suitable for absolute or early beginners. We would expect players to have most of the following skills:
  • – playing simple dance tunes at steady to mid tempo (e.g. reels and jigs at 50-80 beats per minute)
  • – able to clap in time to a tune
  • – have basic control of the bow on the string
  • – able to slur notes together
  • – comfortable in the keys of G,D and A major and familiar with their note names
  • – familiarity with C major
  • – able to play basic scales without notation
  • – able to play at least 2 tunes without notation
In addition fiddlers who attend these courses often have some of the following experience:
  • – attend other fiddle workshops
  • – play with a community folk music group
  • – join in folk music sessions
  • – receive tuition on the fiddle/violin
Apr
1
Sat
March/April Workshops 2023: Fiddle Workshop 1 @ Online - on Zoom
Apr 1 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

March/April Workshops 2023

Fiddle Workshop 1

For more details, see the March/April Workshops 2023 page.

Zoom Workshop
Saturday 1st April: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Competent Beginner to Upper Intermediate level
Tune details coming soon

Bookings open soon.

£20
March/April 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.

March/April Workshops 2023: Fiddle Workshop 2 @ Online - on Zoom
Apr 1 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

March/April Workshops 2023

Fiddle Workshop 2

For more details, see the March/April Workshops 2023 page.

Zoom Workshop
Saturday 1st April: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Intermediate to Advanced players
Tune details coming soon

Bookings open soon.

£20
March/April 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.

May
13
Sat
May Workshops 2023: Fiddle Workshop 1 @ Online - on Zoom
May 13 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

May Workshops 2023

Fiddle Workshop 1

Zoom Workshop
Saturday 13th April: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Competent Beginner to Upper Intermediate level

Pistache
This is a fabulous, mesmerising and hypnotic schottische which I learnt from the lovely Mary Moylett. She played the tune at a session on one of the very first JSArts courses, introducing it as The Perranzabuloe Schottische after the place it was taught, and I’ve been playing it ever since. Mary has a beautiful light touch with the bow and this tune suits that approach down to the ground.

£20
May Workshops: £20 each.
Buy any two for £35 or all three for £50. The discount will be applied in your basket – visit the Shop.

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.