August Class Descriptions
*A note about levels: There are 5 levels of fiddling at our fiddle camp.
First Time
Players with no previous experience or very little experience.
Beginner
Players with a little experience, 1-2 years of playing under their belt (post-twinkles and up to the Minuets in Suzuki book 1, and/or know about 10+ fiddle tunes)
Intermediate (Int)
Players with some experience, 2-4 years of playing (Suzuki book 2 or 3, or know 10 - 50 fiddle tunes)
Intermediate Plus (Int +)
Players with a fair amount of experience, who learn by ear easily, have good technique, but who are not quite yet advanced. (Suzuki book 3 or 4, or know 50 – 100 fiddle tunes)
Advanced (Adv)
Players with a lot of experience, who are quick to learn by ear, have great technical ability (ie. can fluently play in positions), and have some knowledge of theory. (Suzuki Book 5 and up, or know 75 - 500 fiddle tunes well.)
2010 Salt Spring Fiddle Camp
August Class Descriptions
Classes with Denis Dufresne (Fiddle & Mandolin)
Intermediate Hybrid Fiddle
For the love of Music!! Join Denis as he shares classical techniques with the art of the fiddler inside. A myriad of original and traditional tunes are what we’ll be playing here. Focusing on style, technique and using the bow; combining styles can make an old tune brand new!! Jigs become reels and classical etudes become swinging fiddle tunes in this intermediate brain busting class. Let’s have some fun!!
Class Time: 11:00
Introduction to Mandolin
What’s that instrument you’re playing!!?? The picking of a guitar with the finger patterns of a violin…that’s mandolin! Join me in discovering the supreme fun that is playing this little instrument. From rhythm chops and chording to full on fiddle tunes, every fiddler should discover the sonic capabilities of what this instrument can do. Whether you’re a beginner or have played for years, we’ll find new and exciting places on what is THIS fiddler’s, favorite instrument!!
Class Time: 1:00
Advanced Improv Fiddle
Don’t let this class scare you!! Your ideas need to be heard, so let’s discover them together!! We will be composing brand new tunes (and scoring them) and taking old familiar tunes and turning them into “yours”. There is nothing more exciting (and frightening) than playing a tune without boundaries. A little chord knowledge and a lot of fun will help us explore a brand new musical world.
Class Time: 2:15
Classes with Lynae Oliver-Dufresne (Fiddle)
Intermediate Plus Celtic Fiddle
Get your fingers ready and nimble while we call up the mists of Ireland and Scotland with some of my favorite jigs and reels.
Class Time: 11:00
Advanced Texas Contest Style Fiddle
One name pretty much say's it all. Mark O'Conner. Need I say more? This class isn't for the faint of heart. We will be learning a complete contest set, and learning how to make your fiddle sing Texas Style.
Class Time: 1:00
Intermediate French Canadian Fiddle
Ever wanted to move while playing the fiddle? Here's your chance! Come join the "kitchen" party, where we'll explore traditional French Canadian Fiddle music and where you'll learn to be your own one man rhythm band using your feet.
Class Time: 2:15
Classes with Trish (Fiddle)
First Time Fiddle: for kids!
These classes offer fiddle instruction for students aged 4-15 who have never played before! (Students aged 4-6 please attend with an adult). Come and learn about this fabulous instrument, and how to play some tunes! Please note: classes are always fun. Need to rent a fiddle? Ask us about it today, or check out the FAQ section at www.fiddleworks.ca!
Class Time: 11:00
Intermediate Fiddle Tunes & Techniques
Class Time: 1:00
Intermediate Plus French Canadian Fiddle
Class Time: 2:15
Classes with Zav RT (Fiddle, Viola)
First Time Fiddle for Adults (no experience needed)
Anyone can learn to play the fiddle, and have a blast doing so!! We’ll start by learning great technique that will get us making a beautiful sound...and by the end of the week we’ll be playing tunes! p.s. there is a first time class for kids too, with Trish at 11:00!
Class Time: 11:00
Need to rent a fiddle? Ask us about it today, or check out the FAQ section at www.fiddleworks.ca!
Beginner Canadian Fiddle
This class will sample from a tasty smorgasbord of Canadian tunes and
Zav will divulge the secret techniques of fiddling awesomeness that every
beginning fiddler needs to know.
Class Time: 2:15
Classes with Miriam Sonstenes (Fiddle)
Intermediate Plus Old Time String Band: Fiddle
We'll learn some standard southern Appalachian style tunes, and about the rhythm, note choices, and timing of these regionally distinct tunes. Mostly though, we'll be focusing on how to play with a banjo and a guitar and creating some interesting arrangements. Scales and a bit of improv practice will get you ready to play over simple chord changes and sit in on a jam or take a solo in a band. We'll be working on the same tunes as the guitar and banjo stringband classes, and will have plenty of chances to get together and play the tunes with them.
Class Time: 1:00
Beginner Old Time Fiddle
Get your toes tapping and your bow swingin' with a couple of fun and easy old time tunes while we work on proper technique to make it all flow. We'll be learning by ear so give the tunes a good listen before hand!
Class Time: 2:15
Classes with Calvin Cairns (Fiddle)
Advanced Fiddlin’ Around the World
Learn a batch of tunes from a variety of folk traditions. We'll also be exploring harmonies and backup parts.
Class Time: 11:00
Intermediate Gypsy Campfire
Learn tunes from Eastern Europe including Ukrainian, Gypsy and Klezmer.
Class Time: 1:00
Intro to the Musical Saw
Discover the secrets of the musical saw. Phone 250-384-5050 or email calvincairns@telus.net for information on selecting a saw and bow.
Class Time: 2:15
Classes with Ryan Dignan (Percussion)
Percussion Ensemble (ages 12-adult, no experience needed)
Groove with Ryan using hands, feet, buckets, flower pots, garbage cans, drain hose, laundry tubs, and who knows what else! Learn beats ranging from the cha cha to african drumming patterns and everything in between while working with Ryan on creating a fully choreographed percussion ensemble performance.
Class Time: 11:00
Percussion Ensemble for Kids (ages 5-11, no experience needed)
Kids are invited to get in touch with their inner rhythm in this energetic hands-on class! You’ll be using hands, feet, buckets, flower pots, garbage cans, drain hose, laundry tubs, and who knows what else! Ryan will compose and choreograph a special piece just for this group. Warning: This class is way too much fun.
Class Times: 1:00 & 2:15
Classes with Jason Romero (Banjo)
Clawhammer Banjo
Clawhammer style banjo and the banjo in the old time music. We'll
learn how to "bum-ditty", how to play in several tunings, and some
chords and tunes for each of those tunings. Most of the tunes we'll be
learning come from the southeastern United States - tunes like Sally
Anne, John Henry, and Fortune. We will also work on techniques like
drop- and double-thumbing, hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Class Time: 11:00
Experienced Old Time String Band: Banjo
If you know four or five tunes on the banjo - clawhammer or 3-finger - you're ready for this class! We'll learn some standard southern
Appalachian style tunes, working in a couple different tunings, and learning about the rhythm, note choices, and timing of these regionally distinct tunes. Mostly though, we'll be focusing on how to play with a fiddle and a guitar. We'll be working on the same tunes as the guitar and fiddle stringband classes, and will have plenty of chances to get together and play the tunes with them and come up with some nice arrangements.
Class Time: 1:00
Bluegrass 3-finger Banjo
In this workshop Jason will take you through an exploration of three-finger style banjo, played for both bluegrass and old-time music. Working with some standard bluegrass and old time repertoire, we'll work on basic roll patterns, common tunings, timing, and some chord positions up the neck. Each of the tunes or songs will have a few trusty licks that you can throw into some of your other favorite tunes.
Class Time: 2:15
Classes with Pharis Romero (Voice & Guitar)
Beginner/Intermediate Singing
All skills and levels of singers welcome - come ready to sing! Learn how to get the most from your voice while singing mostly with a group. We'll work on breathing and posture techniques for the healthy singer, as well as a variety of exercises and songs to warm up and condition your voice. Learning songs from early roots, country blues, and gospel repertoire, we'll also learn how to create harmonies and sing well with others, looking forward to singing songs as full arrangements all week long!
Class Time: 11:00
Experienced Old Time String Band: Guitar
If you know a handful of basic chords, and can hold on to a flatpick, you're ready for this class! We'll learn back-up guitar for stringband tunes and songs, working on the boom-chuck, when to choose what chord, bass notes and runs, keeping time, getting in tune, and learning to listen. We'll be working on the same tunes as the fiddle and banjo stringband classes, and will have plenty of chances to get together and play the tunes with them and create some nice arrangements.
Class Time: 1:00
Intermediate/Advanced Singing
In this workshop we'll use primarily early roots repertoire to focus on individual vocal production, with a good amount of time spent on harmonies and vocal blend. We'll be further exploring healthy singing practices, as well as vowel production, breathing, and song interpretation in a group setting. You'll finish the week with many tools to take into your own vocal practice, and the knowledge of how to create and fine tune vocal harmonies outside of the workshop. Students in this workshop don't need to have any harmony singing experience, but do need to be able to learn and hold a melody.
Class Time: 2:15
Classes with Lea Kirsten (Cello)
Experienced Cello
A class for the already rockin’ cellist! A selection of groovy tunes will be taught, along with an in-depth exploration of how to accompany and play with fiddlers using chording, rhythm, bass patterns, & the very fun art of chopping!
Class Time: 11:00
Beginner Cello
What better place to try out the big fiddle than in the beginning cello class?! Students with some cello or fiddle experience will learn fiddle tunes and basic fiddle back-up techniques, including chopping. Fiddlers wanting to try cello are welcome! A basic knowledge of the instrument required (how to hold the cello, the bow, where to put your fingers & be able to make some nice sounds).
Class Time: 2:15
Need to rent a cello? Ask us about it today, or check out the FAQ section at www.fiddleworks.ca!
Classes with Karen Dignan (Dance)
Dance
A variety of dances for everyone, every afternoon! A smorgasbord of mixers, polkas, novelty dances, squares & contras, and international folk dances. Take the music you’ve been playing on your instruments and put it in your feet!
Class Time: 3:30
Classes with Tracy Harris (Art)
Art Classes for Kids
Join Tracy Harrison again for fun, creative art classes. Some of things we will be doing this year include Clay tile painting, Clay Magical Amulets, Head Bobbers and Artist Trading Cards which you can make and trade with others during camp and create your own collection of Artist Cards.
Class Times: 11:00 & 1:00
Art Class for Teens & Adults
This year Tracy Harrison will teach you how to make your own Artist Trading Cards which you can trade with other Fiddle Campers this year. Some of the other projects include Clay Tiles and Clay amulets and jewelry. No previous art experience is required.
Class Time: 2:15
Material fee is $18 per person.