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/violin 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)
This class is suitable for people who have never played fiddle/violin before
Learn basic fingering and bowing techniques, holding the instrument, getting a good sound, some basic music theory, and get a feel for Scottish music
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an absolute beginners level class
| tutor: | Sarah Hoy |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 6.05-7.35pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Absolute Beginner (7.35pm)
This class is suitable for people who have never played fiddle/violin before
Learn basic fingering and bowing techniques, holding the instrument, getting a good sound, some basic music theory, and get a feel for Scottish music
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an absolute beginners level class
| 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)
This class is suitable for people who have been playing for around a year already
Gain more confidence in playing and build your repertoire of tunes and tune types
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
| tutor: | Gica Loening |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 10-11.30am |
| place: | St Colm's Church |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |
Fiddle - Beginner (7.35pm)
This class is suitable for people who have been playing for around a year already
Gain more confidence in playing and build your repertoire of tunes and tune types
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
| 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.
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.
| 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.
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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. We will starting to learn about playing in different positions, and looking at different ways that tunes and repertoire can be used.
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.
| tutor: | Morag Brown |
|---|---|
| time: | Thursday at 7-9pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: |
If you have enrolled, you should contact us to arrange an alternative or claim a refund.
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
Watch a video of a typical tune that might be taught in an advanced technique class.
| tutor: | Sarah-Jane Summers |
|---|---|
| time: | Wednesday at 7-9pm |
| place: | Boroughmuir School |
| terms: | autumn, spring, summer |