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/violin before
Beginners For people who have played for up to a year already
Improving Beginners For people who have been playing for around 2 years, or are returning to fiddling after a long break
Lower Intermediate For people who have been playing for around 3 years
Upper Intermediate
Advanced
Advanced Technique
More information here on buying and repairing fiddles, and other fiddle related topics
Learn basic fingering and bowing techniques, holding the instrument, getting a good sound, some basic music theory, and get a feel for Scottish music
You should have a fiddle to bring to the class.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an absolute beginners level class
Thursday at 6.05 - 7.35pm Boroughmuir School
tutor: Isla Ferguson - terms: autumn, spring, summer
Learn basic fingering and bowing techniques, holding the instrument, getting a good sound, some basic music theory, and get a feel for Scottish music
You should have a fiddle to bring to the class.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an absolute beginners level class
Thursday at 7.45 - 9.15pm Boroughmuir School
tutor: Isla Ferguson - terms: autumn, spring, summer
Learn basic fingering and bowing techniques, holding the instrument, getting a good sound, some basic music theory, and get a feel for Scottish music
You should have a fiddle to bring to the class.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an absolute beginners level class
Thursday at tbc Boroughmuir School
tutor: - no tutor - - terms: spring, summer
Gain more confidence in playing and build your repertoire of tunes and tune types.
This class is suitable for people who have been playing for about a year.
Watch a video of a beginners class learning a tune.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an beginners level class
Thursday at 6.05 - 7.35pm Boroughmuir School
tutor: Sarah Hoy - terms: autumn, spring, summer
Gain more confidence in playing and build your repertoire of tunes and tune types.
This class is suitable for people who have been playing for about a year.
Watch a video of a beginners class learning a tune.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an beginners level class
Thursday at 7.35 - 9.05pm Boroughmuir School
tutor: Morag Brown - terms: autumn, spring, summer
Build on basic skills, consolidate technique, and learn more about tone and rhythm.
Watch a video of an improving beginners level class learning a tune.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an improving beginners level class.
Thursday at 10 - 11.30am St Colm's Church
tutor: Jenny Gardner - terms: autumn, spring, summer
Build on basic skills, consolidate technique, and learn more about tone and rhythm.
Watch a video of an improving beginners level class learning a tune.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an improving beginners level class.
Thursday at 6.05 - 7.35pm Boroughmuir School
tutor: Morag Brown - terms: autumn, spring, summer
This class is a fun place to try some new things…
Working at your own pace, we’ll be focusing on producing better tone, and developing relaxed playing with a strong sense of rhythm, rather than learning tunes. Most of the tunes we do learn iwilll be common session tunes. The class can help with individual issues that participants might need to address.
Suitable for fiddle players for any level from improving beginners onwards.
Tuesday at 7 - 9pm Boroughmuir School
tutor: Ros Gasson - terms: autumn, spring, summer
Strengthen what you have learned and progress to different types of tunes, new bowing styles and tunes in different keys
Watch a video of a lower intermediate level class learning a tune.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in a lower intermediate level class.
Thursday at 7.35 - 9.05pm Boroughmuir School
tutor: Sarah Hoy - terms: autumn, spring, summer
We’ll be working on technique and having fun playing as a group. We’ll focus on different tune types in various different keys, and develop our ornamentation and arranging skills.
Watch a video of an upper intermediate level class learning a tune.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an upper intermediate level class.
Thursday at 11.45am -1.15pm St Colm's Church
tutor: Jenny Gardner - terms: autumn, spring, summer
We’ll be working on technique and having fun playing as a group. We’ll focus on different tune types in various different keys, and develop our ornamentation and arranging skills.
Watch a video of an upper intermediate level class learning a tune.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an upper intermediate level class.
Thursday at 7-9pm Boroughmuir School
tutor: Donald Gorman - terms: autumn, spring, summer
This class aims to build on repertoire, learning how tunes can be used (e.g. playing for dancing) and focusing on more complex keys and positions. We will work on technique, ornamentation, the understanding of regional styles and the development of your own style.
Watch a video of an advanced level class learning a tune.
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an advanced level class.
Thursday at 7 - 9pm Boroughmuir School
tutor: Eilidh Steel - terms: autumn, spring, summer