Classes for fiddle.
The Scots Music group has a wide range of classes for learning fiddle (full details of the classes are at the foot of the page). Below is a brief description of what students can expect the classes to focus on at each level. It is meant as a guide only, to help students to enrol in a class at a level that suits them, and is not an exhaustive list. When students move from one level to another, they can expect to consolidate what they have already learned. (You may find it helpful to check the level before the one you are thinking of enrolling in, to see if you have already mastered these skills)
Absolute Beginners Suitable for people who have never played fiddle before
- Holding the instrument and bow
- Playing all the open strings on the fiddle. Placing the fingers
- Learning what the notes are
- Playing some simple traditional tunes in easy keys
- Starting to learn to play by ear
Beginners For people who have played for up to a year already
- Beginning to join tunes together into sets
- Phrasing
- Playing tunes slowly
- Learning tunes in different rhythms
Improving Beginners For people who have been playing for around 2 years, or are returning to fiddling after a long break
- Playing in minor keys
- Playing tunes with more complex rhythms
- Improving tone
Lower Intermediate For people who have been playing for around 3 years
- Getting a feel for the music
- Ornamentation
- Starting to learn some different bowing patterns
- Playing tunes in more difficult keys
Upper Intermediate
- Beginning to arrange tunes
- Working towards playing with others
- Playing in a range of keys
- Learning quickly by ear
- Playing up to speed
Advanced
- Learning how tunes and repertoire can be used (eg playing for dancing)
- Continuing to develop technique
- Playing in different positions
Advanced Technique
- Bowing strathspeys
- Learning more about ornamentation and bowing patterns
- Learning more unusual tunes
Have you found this information helpful? Please email Ros with any feedback. Many thanks!
Fiddle - Absolute Beginner (6.05pm)
Learn basic fingering and bowing techniques, holding the instrument, getting a good sound, some basic music theory, and get a feel for Scottish music
| tutor: | Sarah Hoy |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 6.05-7.35pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Absolute Beginner (7.35pm)
Learn basic fingering and bowing techniques, holding the instrument, getting a good sound, some basic music theory, and get a feel for Scottish music
| tutor: | Eilidh Steel |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 7.35 - 9.05pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Absolute Beginner (January)
Learn basic fingering and bowing techniques, holding the instrument, getting a good sound, some basic music theory, and get a feel for Scottish music
| tutors: | - no tutor - |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at time tbc |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | spring, summer |
Fiddle - Beginner (daytime)
Gain more confidence in playing and build your repertoire of tunes and tune types
Click on the picture below to see a short video of a beginners class learning part of a tune:
| tutor: | Gica Loening |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 10-11.30am |
| place: | St Colm's Church |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Beginner (7.35pm)
Gain more confidence in playing and build your repertoire of tunes and tune types
Click on the picture below to see a short video of a beginners class learning part of a tune:
| tutor: | Sarah Hoy |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 7.35-9.05pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Improving Beginner (6.05pm)
Build on basic skills, consolidate technique, and learn more about tone and rhythm.
Click on the picture to see a short video of an Improving Beginners class learning part of a tune:
| tutor: | Mhari Duncan |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 6.05-7.35pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Improving Beginner (7.45pm)
Build on basic skills, consolidate technique, and learn more about tone and rhythm.
Click on the picture to see a short video of an Improving Beginners class learning part of a tune:
| tutor: | Mhari Duncan |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 7.45-9.15pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - String Circle
Mairi guides a class for fiddle players from any level from Improving Beginner onwards. This class will develop your own playing at your pace. You can learn to produce better tone and develop unhindered playing. Mairi’s teaching can help the issues participants might need to address. The class repertoire is chosen by the tunes that participants come prepared with
| tutor: | Mairi Campbell |
|---|---|
| time: | Tuesday at 7-9pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Lower Intermediate
Strengthen what you have learned and progress to different types of tunes, new bowing styles and tunes in different keys
Click on the picture to see a short video of a Lower Intermediate level class learning part of a tune
| tutor: | Eilidh Steel |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 6.05-7.35pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Upper Intermediate (7pm)
We’ll be focussing on different tune types in various different keys, and looking to develop our ornamentation and arranging skills
Click on the picture below to see a short video of an Upper Intermediate class learning part of a tune
| tutor: | Mike Vass |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 7-9pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Upper Intermediate (Daytime)
We’ll be focussing on different tune types in various different keys, and looking to develop our ornamentation and arranging skills
Click on the picture below to see a short video of an Upper Intermediate class learning part of a tune
| tutor: | Gica Loening |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 11.45-1.15pm |
| place: | St Colm's Church |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Advanced
This class will examine bowing technique, look at ornamentation and will be moving away from the keys of G, D and A to play a number of tunes composed in the flat keys.
Click on the picture below to see the advanced fiddle class learning part of a tune in one of their classes last year
| tutors: | - no tutor - |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 7-9pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Advanced Technique
This class will look at more advanced fiddle techniques such as playing in more unusual keys, third position, more complex bowing patterns and strathspeys, whilst learning good tunes
| tutor: | Sarah-Jane Summers |
|---|---|
| time: | Wednesday at 7-9pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |