ASTA Presentation – Classical Technique – Fiddle Mystique: Etudes Your Students will Love

While the classic etude books hold immense value and should not be discarded, we propose a harmonious blend of traditional etudes and lively fiddle tunes to teach technical skills. This approach offers students a balanced exposure to a wider range of musical styles, tunes that they will eagerly revisit and play, and a more engaging platform for repetitive practice.

Delve into the captivating realm of fiddle tunes that serve as remarkable etudes, nurturing both left hand and right hand techniques. This comprehensive session will explore specific areas of focus, including double stops, intonation, drones, shifting, scales and arpeggios, 4th finger dexterity and left hand speed, unusual slur patterns, fast string crossings, bow control, musicality, phrasing, shifting, loose wrists, and more. While not every etude can or should be replaced by a fiddle tune, these tunes serve as exceptional supplemental content to enrich your already well-developed curriculum.

During the workshop, we will provide a comprehensive handout featuring suggested materials, along with printouts of select tunes that we will be playing. These printouts will showcase specific techniques that can be effectively taught within the context of each tune. Make sure to bring your instrument, as we will actively engage in playing numerous examples throughout the session!

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