Champion Fiddler, Inspired Performer
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Strings Without Boundaries String Summit 2021
July 8, 2021 - July 11, 2021
$29
This July, I will be teaching six classes at String Summit 2021, and co-teaching a 7th with Donna Hébert. This virtual string conference takes place via zoom and has opportunities for players of all experience levels. Registration is Now Open!
Here’s a list of the classes I’ll be teaching:
Thursday July 8, 2021
8:30AM-9:45AM MDT – Jam Session Prep – Tunes & Techniques
Jamming is a great way to get comfortable playing music with others, but playing in a jam session can be daunting, especially for beginners. In this interactive workshop, you will learn about different types of Jam Sessions and how they operate, Jam Session etiquette, how to figure out what key a tune is in and what the chord changes are. We will also cover playing accompaniment, chords, fills and licks, and what to play when you aren’t playing the lead. This workshop is appropriate for all levels.
2:30PM-3:45PM MDT – Fiddle Bowings & Ornaments
Have you ever learned a fiddle tune only to have it sound more like an etude when you play it? Change the bowings and you completely change the feel of a tune. As you begin to harness the power of bowings, you will be amazed at how your stylistic feel improves. Throw in some appropriate ornaments and accidentals and you have some serious icing on that fiddle tune cake. Bring your fiddle, because we are going to put these tactics into practice!
Friday July 9, 2021
2:30PM-3:45PM MDT – 5 Top Fiddle Tunes to Learn
There are thousands of fiddle tunes out there, and some fiddlers know hundreds of tunes. Which ones should you learn first? Which tunes are going to be important to know for jamming? Vi has hand-selected 5 fiddle-tastic tunes that every fiddler should know. Join Vi and learn the basic melody to each of these tunes by ear and get sheet music and a play along track for a more advanced version. We’ll have lots of fun and you’ll walk away with 5 tunes to work on and master. Tunes will be taught at a beginning to intermediate level. Bring your instrument and be ready to learn! Triple clef will be provided for you violists and cellists to get in on the fun.
Saturday July 10, 2021
11:00AM-2:30PM MDT – American Fiddle Styles (with Donna Hébert)
See how tunes changed and developed when they came to America! Trace a tune, Miss MacLeod’s Reel through six different regions, several keys and time signatures. Donna also breaks down the secrets of playing jigs with lift and lilt. Vi will help you learn to express your own voice through a fiddle tune, combining the sounds and patterns of tradition with your own original licks.
2:30PM-3:45PM MDT – Write an Original Fiddle Tune
Creating a new tune is a fun and rewarding endeavor. But the idea writing music often seems daunting—where do you even start? Will my music sound good? Join Vi in this interactive workshop as he reveals his secrets of writing fiddle tunes. Together we will create an original fiddle tune. You don’t have to “be creative” to take this class, but you do have to be willing to take a chance. Bring your fiddle and your sense of adventure.
Sunday July 11, 2021
7:00AM-8:15AM MDT – Learn Tunes Faster Thru Patterns
Learn the secret to learning tunes FAST! Memorizing a new fiddle tune may seem like a challenge today, but Vi will teach you how to break down a fiddle tune into logical chunks and internalize it faster than you ever knew was possible. You will never look at a fiddle tune the same again! Bring your fiddle, because we will learn a tune while we are at it, maybe more!
8:30AM-9:45AM MDT – How to Improvise Over a Fiddle Tune
Have you ever wanted to learn how to improvise like a fiddler? Fiddle Improvising is different than improvising in Jazz or Rock and Roll. This interactive workshop will teach you tactics for how to improvise in fiddle tunes. We will work on how to go from playing the melody to really making a tune your own. Techniques covered include chord structure, arpeggiation, passing tones, accidentals, and more. Bring your fiddle and your questions.
Each 75 minute class is $29, the 3.5 hour American Fiddle Styles class with Donna Hébert is $60.