Our Classes
Simply select a box from the choice below to view the class options, tutors, ability levels and enrolment options
Piano Accordion
2 Classes
For beginners and improvers on Wednesday evening
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5-String Banjo
Clawhammer Style
1 Class
For improvers on Wednesday evening
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Fiddle
5 Classes
For a range of abilities on Thursday evening
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Guitar
1 Class
For upper intermediate ability on Thursday evening
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Mixed Instrument
5 Classes
For all abilities on Tuesday & Wednesday, day and evening
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Scottish Smallpipes
3 Classes
For a range of abilities on Wednesday evening
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Song
2 Classes
For all who love traditional singing on a Wednesday & Thursday morning
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Ukelele
1 Class
For improving beginners on Wednesday evening
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Whistle
2 Classes
For improvers to intermediate on Thursday evening
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PIANO ACCORDION 1
This class allows Accordion Learners to work on a selection of popular tunes on the right hand keyboard. An introduction to the bass keyboard will also be included – working towards playing a few simple tunes with both hands together.
Skill Level required : Easy – i.e. class members should already be able to play a couple of easy tunes on the right hand. RCS Graded Exam levels approx Prelim – Grade 1
Delivery: Weekly Zoom sessions with video and written resources provided before each class, plus the opportunity for 1:1 sessions
Day/Time: Wednesday 7-8.15pm
Maximum class size: 15
Tutor: Matthew Maclennan
PIANO ACCORDION 2
The Accordion Improvers class provides instruction for students to develop their accordion skills – learning a variety of tunes of moderate difficulty on the right hand keyboard as well as a few tunes with both hands together. Attention to fingering, phrasing and expression is included. This class has its own website – www.smgaccordion.weebly.com
Skill Level required : Moderate – i.e. class members should already be able to play a few simple tunes both hands together. RCS Graded Exam levels approx Grade 2 – 3.
Delivery: At 7pm the class is divided evenly into 3 x “breakout room” groups. Each of these sub-groups then receive detailed tuition for approx. 30 minutes (i.e. Group 1: 7.05 – 7.35; Group 2: 7.40 – 8.10; Group 3: 8.15 – 8.45), whilst the other groups continue to practise together. The entire class then meets at 8.45pm and play together (tutor led with mutes on) until 9pm. Sheet music (with suitable fingering) and demo audio recordings are provided for all the tunes.
Day/Time: Wednesday 7-9pm
Maximum class size: 20
Tutor: Keith Dickson
5-STRING BANJO
A continuation from last year’s 5-string banjo class and so aimed at those with at least two years’ experience playing clawhammer/frailing banjo (please contact the tutor via the Office if unsure about the style). We will continue our exploration into the role of the banjo in old time music with occasional detours into other genres. New techniques will be introduced to help add musicality to our playing as we start to tackle more complex tunes and song arrangements. To get the most out of this class, you should be comfortable with the fundamental clawhammer rhythm hand technique and have some experience of both double and drop thumbing. You should also have a basic familiarity with two common tunings (open G and double C).
Delivery: The class will be delivered via a mixture of pre-recorded video, live Zoom sessions (arrangement tbc depending on group size) and accompanying written learning materials. There will also be the option for short 1:1 sessions, again via Zoom, to allow more detailed feedback to be provided to students.
Day/Time: Wednesday 7-8pm *Term 3 :: please note this class will run for 6 weeks from 27th April *
Maximum class size: 12
Tutor: Michael Starkey
FIDDLE 1
For people that have been playing for at least one year and have some experience of learning tunes by ear. We will focus on:
- Learning new tunes by ear
- Looking at some new key signatures, notes, time signatures, and rhythms
- Learning new scales and arpeggios
- Getting a nicer overall sound and tone
- Perfecting general technique
- Looking at some basic bowing and ornaments
Delivery: 1.5 hour Zoom sessions with 10 minute break, followed by an email with a summary of the lesson and three recordings of any new tunes at different speeds. All recordings and other materials will be available via Google Drive.
Day/Time: Thursday 7-8.30pm
Maximum class size: 15
Tutor: Eryn Rae
FIDDLE 2
Suitable for people with around 2 years’ playing experience. We will cover:
- Improve tone and bow control
- Explore new key and time signatures
- Expand our knowledge of the stylistic elements of Scottish fiddle music
- Introduce using grace notes and embellishment in our playing
- Begin to think about grouping tunes into ‘sets’
- Build on confident, tension free playing
- Have fun while doing all of the above!
Delivery: 1 hour 15 mins class via Zoom, with tune breakdown, sheet music & technique videos provided following each class via Dropbox.
Day/Time: Thursday 7-8.30pm
Maximum class size: 15
Tutor: Claire Campbell
FIDDLE 4
For improvers who have played for around 4 years already. Building on basic skills and knowledge, this class will cover:
- Learning new tunes by ear in a range of different styles, keys and rhythms
- Grouping tunes together into sets
- Becoming comfortable playing in different keys
- Using bowing patterns to develop style, rhythm and phrasing
- Using ornamentation to create style and interest
- Using dynamics to create emotion and interest
- Improving tone, technique and posture
- Consolidating scales and arpeggios
- Building confidence in our playing
- Having fun!
Delivery: On Fridays, a YouTube playlist will be sent out containing tutorial videos to learn the week’s tune, often including an exercise to help with a difficult aspect of the tune. Students are asked to watch these videos and learn the tune in advance of a 1-hour Zoom class on Thursday nights. Students are also encouraged to record videos of themselves and send them to Isla to receive individual feedback
Day/Time: Thursday 7-8pm
Maximum class size: 15
Tutor: Isla Ratcliff
FIDDLE 5
The class will focus on improving technique, including intonation, tone and bowing, and building confidence in your playing.
- Playing in a range of keys, including more challenging keys
- Using ornamentation, ringing strings and different bowing styles
- Learning more quickly by ear
- Playing up to speed
Delivery: a weekly group Zoom session (1 hr -1 hr 15 mins) which includes some 1:1 time, plus tuition videos and resources sent out to learn in advance.
Day/Time: Thursday 7.30-8.30pm
Maximum class Size: 15
Tutor: Sally Simpson
FIDDLE WORKSHOP
For Fiddle 6, 7 & 8 students
This workshop format offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into different fiddle traditions, as taught by three different fiddle players. We will work on tunes from Galicia (Luisa), Scandinavia (Eilidh), and Shetland (Bernadette) and learn about aspects of technique and articulation of each fiddle tradition in the process. This workshop is for you if you are comfortable with both using sheet music and learning by ear, and if you want to expand your repertoire and learn new fiddle styles.
Delivery: Zoom classes
Fomat tbc.
Day/Time: Thursday 7-8pm
Maximum class size: 20
Tutors: Luisa Brown, Eilidh Steel & Bernadette Kellermann
GUITAR 4
For guitar players who are comfortable playing a range of chords and have solid technique. We will build a palette of chords and techniques you can use to develop a narrative in your arrangements and accompaniment using dynamics, rhythm, melody and harmony. While catering for more confident players, the class aims to welcome a range of abilities.
Topics covered during the year include:
Flat-picking the melody
Chord Voicing and inversions
Improving your rhythm
Explore the dynamics of your instrument.
Playing in Standard Tuning and Drop D Tuning (and some DADGAD).
Developing your finger-picking
Developing a tailored accompaniment
Delivery: On Zoom. Material for each piece will be delivered in advance through Dropbox. This will include Guitar TAB, Music and chord charts, chord boxes, fingerings and accompanying notes, plus mp3 files with the melody and chordal arrangement.
The Thursday evening session will take the form of two 40 min sessions with a breakout period in the middle for a chat. Frank will teach (walk through) each piece and then cover the accompaniment, chords, rhythm patterns.
Day/Time: Thursday 7-8.45pm
Maximum class size: 20
Tutor: Frank McLaughlin
SLOW SESSION
Suitable for any instrument. Over the term the class will build up a repertoire of session tunes.
Music for the class can be found on Nigel’s website here.
SMG is regrettably not able to support the post-class online session at Gatherer’s Inn at the moment, but visit the Gatherer’s Inn webpage to see what’s still on offer in Nigel’s virtual pub here.
Delivery: Online Zoom sessions
Day/Time: Wednesday 6.45-8.15pm
Maximum class size: 35
Tutor: Nigel Gatherer
MIXED INSTRUMENT 1
Learn to play music in arrangements with other people. We’ll create our own arrangements of a variety of traditional tunes together. All instruments welcome. For people who have been playing for a year or more. Music for this class will be available from Nigel’s website. A link will be available nearer the start of term. sessions with a 5 minute break in between. Students will have access to a shared Google Drive folder, containing lesson material in PDF format, as well as video demonstrations.
Delivery: Online Zoom sessions
Day/Time: Wednesday 10.15am-12pm
Maximum class size: 39
Tutor: Nigel Gatherer
MIXED INSTRUMENT 2
This class will learn new tunes, forming sets and arrangements, with opportunities to learn by ear as well as from written music. While working on repertoire which we hope to perform in the community when we can, we will explore ways of bringing our music together online.
New students are very welcome, but we will be playing some of our repertoire from Terms 1 & 2. Notation and audio tracks will be available.
Suitable for players of intermediate level and above.
Delivery: 1.5 hour Zoom sessions (including a break), with additional resources posted online
Time: Tuesday 10-11.30am
Maximum class size: 39
Tutor: Sarah Northcott
MIXED INSTRUMENT 3D
All instruments welcome. During these Zoom sessions, we will focus on a variety of tunes and look at how to form arrangements from the ground up. Some theory knowledge will be covered during this process: choosing appropriate chords; finding a suitable rhythmic feel; and creating harmony lines. Skills you can hopefully apply to all your other playing! For those who already feel comfortable with their instrument. Tuition will be by ear with written music & recordings provided. While learning remotely, hopefully we can create a recording together of some tunes and I will keep the process as simple as possible.
Delivery: 1.5 hour Zoom session including a break.
Day/Time: Tuesday 10.30am-12pm
Maximum class Size: 20
Tutor: Calum MacLeod
MIXED INSTRUMENT 3E
This class will learn tunes and arrangements, building sets with a view to performing them in public when possible. Working online, there will be greater emphasis on exercises to improve rhythm, speed and understanding of the structures of traditional music, plus opportunities to write tunes and work on harmonies. You will also have the chance to work on solo performance in the supportive atmosphere of the group (optional).
New students are very welcome, but we will be playing some of our repertoire from Terms 1 & 2. Notation and audio tracks will be available.
Delivery: 1.5 hour Zoom session with a break and extra resources online.
Time: Wednesday 7-8.30pm
Maximum class size: 24
Tutor: Sarah Northcott
SCOTTISH SMALLPIPES 2
For smallpipers who are confident in basic fingering and playing tunes. Learning by ear is encouraged and the tools for this will be provided, but manuscript will also be available for all the tunes. We will look at technique throughout the weeks and also end with 2/3 sets, where the tunes all work well together. You should have a set of smallpipes in A to bring to the class.
You should have a set of Scottish smallpipes in the key of A for the class.
Delivery: online, mostly as group Zoom sessions of 2 hours (including a ten-minute break), with with occasional classes consisting instead of shorter one-to-one-sessions at allotted time slots within the usual hours of the class.Tunes will be taught by ear, but music also provided.
Day/Time: Wednesday 7-9pm
Maximum class size: 15
Tutor: Andrew Macintyre
SCOTTISH SMALLPIPES 3
For smallpipers with several years’ experience, confident in fingering and with a good basic repertoire of more complex tunes. We will develop your technique and phrasing, harmonising and playing with other instruments in various keys. The class will look at improving rhythm and getting tunes up to speed, working towards playing more confidently by ear.
You should have a set of Scottish smallpipes in the key of A for the class.
Delivery: weekly 1.5 hours of group teaching – plus a half hour one to one per student on a weekly rota. During the individual tuition remaining students will share tunes and socialise in a breakout room. Recordings and music will be provided.
Day/Time: Wednesday 6-8pm
Maximum class size: 15
Tutor: Malin Lewis
SCOTTISH SMALLPIPES 4
**NEW STYLE OF CLASS**
SPECIAL PRICING APPLIES FOR THIS CLASS
This class will work with a tutor who will lead 3 workshops during the term, including a planning session in the first week. In between tutor-led classes, the group will work together on developing their playing of tunes from a repertoire which will be co-ordinated and guided by the lead tutor from suggestions made by the group. Fees for this class are lower than those of the standard classes.
Day/Time: Wednesday 7-9pm
Maximum class size: 15
SCOTTISH SONG & BEYOND
A friendly, relaxed singing group who enjoy learning folk songs from across Scotland and beyond. Online sessions will include gentle vocal exercises and the chance to sing a wide range of traditional and contemporary folk music. This group is suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced singers, with the opportunity to sing in harmony and to work at a pace which suits you.
Delivery: 1.5 hour Zoom session which can be accessed online or by phone
Time: Wednesday 10.30am-12pm
Maximum class size: 39
Tutor: Iona Fyfe
SING TOGETHER
This flourishing group learns a wide variety of traditional Scots songs.
We learn by ear, with easy and enjoyable voice warm-ups, simple rounds and games to build confidence, and a chance to try harmonies. The atmosphere is relaxed, warm, welcoming, sociable and musical.
Songs include Burns songs, seasonal songs, songs of celebration, Edinburgh songs, songs from the Scottish Traveller tradition, work songs, children’s songs, songs your granny loved, songs from contemporary songwriters, songs from other traditions…
During Covid, the focus has shifted from group singing techniques to the discussion of how you can make a song your own, connecting with your own voice and appreciating your own sense of phrasing and rhythm. We share musical recommendations for listening and every week two or three people take a turn to give the class a song themselves (optional)
This class focuses on the fun of singing, connecting to our voices and the amazing traditional material that we have at our disposal. The class is very dynamic and requests for specific songs/song types are listened to and taken on board.
The class takes place on a Zoom video call with cups of tea, it is very sociable. When learning a song, the participants place themselves on ‘mute’ and the tutor sings through the lines with them as they learn. Participants are encouraged to make the song their own using various techniques and choices presented by the tutor.
Any necessary resources, videos lyrics and recordings are sent by the tutor via email.
Delivery: 1.5 hour Zoom session plus extra resources
Time: Thursday 11am-12.30pm
Maximum class size: 30
Tutor: Kirsty Law
UKULELE
This class is aimed at improving beginners to improving intermediate players. As a minimum, you should already be familiar with how your instrument works and be able to tune it yourself prior to class. You should be comfortable playing and changing between the basic ukulele chords in the keys of C, D, G and A, and have a basic understanding of strumming different beats and rhythms. You will learn and play with other people at a comfortable pace in a friendly and encouraging environment.
While classes are online, Colin is running a free session for more experienced ukulele players on Thursday evenings. Zoom opens at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start & ends at 9.00pm. Any Wednesday student can join this session if they want to and are able to play or learn the session repertoire.
Delivery: 1.5 hour online Zoom session
Day/Time: Wednesday 7.15-9pm
Maximum class size: 29
Tutor: Colin Graham
WHISTLE 2
This class is aimed at students with some experience, who are keen to develop their repertoire and learn some basic gracings. We will develop upon the basic understanding of the tin whistle, taking players into a slightly more diverse and technical tune territory, while moving at a pace suited to all involved. Some straightforward traditional music will be introduced along with some contemporary melodies, with opportunities for students to make suggestions.
Delivery:Music and a tune tutorial video will be issued prior to the class. The video will include the tune broken down into phrases, as well as a slow and faster version of the tune. There will be a Zoom class for 1 hour to consolidate learning and address tricky areas!
Day/Time: Thursday 7-8pm
Maximum class size: 15
Tutor: Sam Gillespie
WHISTLE 3
This class is aimed at whistle players with a couple of years or more experience under their belts. Learn a wider range of tunes and styles, with focus on articulation and gracing, to develop your whistle playing further.
Delivery: 1 hour group online Zoom session from 7 to 8pm, followed by one-to-one sessions from 8.15 – 8.45pm (one or two students per week).
Day/Time: Thursday 7-8.45pm
Maximum class size: 17
Tutor: Freya Rae