Fiddler's Fancy » Fiddle

From Elderly Instruments

Fiddleplayer — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:07:57 +0000

Folks,

We’d like you to know about the full-time fiddle track at Midwest Banjo Camp, where you can study the fine points of fiddling for an entire weekend with world class players and teachers.

For 2010, our principle fiddle instructor is renowned musician and scholar Alan Jabbour, one of the finest practitioners of Appalachian style (“old-time”) fiddling. In the 1960s and 70s, Alan’s collecting activities and performances served as the foundation of today’s old-time music scene. His recent recordings include Henry Reed’s Reunion, and Southern Summits. For more on Alan’s career, see his web site, http://www.alanjabbour.com.

Also teaching classes in the 2010 MBC Fiddle Program are well known old-time fiddler Brad Leftwich (who is also one of our banjo instructors), and master bluegrass fiddler Peter Knupfer.

Although the precise level of instruction will depend on students’ skills, we anticipate that fiddle classes will be conducted at intermediate to advanced levels.

In addition to instruction, our program also includes concerts featuring our world-class faculty, and faculty-hosted jams.

Although we are primarily a banjo camp, and if you attend you’ll probably find yourself “surrounded” by a couple of hundred avid banjoists, we definitely have the welcome mat out for players of sister instruments like fiddle. And keep in mind that at our jams fiddle players are at a premium, so you could easily wind up anchoring a music session that includes some pretty special pickers.

One more thing. Anyone who enrolls at MBC is free to take any mix of classes. So you can enroll in the fiddle program and also take banjo, guitar, or bass classes.

Here are the particulars:

Dates: June 4-6, 2010
Place: Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan
Times: Check-in opens 11 AM on Friday; June 4; Camp ends 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 6
Web site: http://www.midwestbanjocamp.com

The “Pre-Camp”: A low pressure program consisting of staff-led jams, Q & A sessions and demonstrations, the MBC “Pre-Camp” runs from late Thursday afternoon on June 3 through Friday morning on June 4th. Although the Pre-Camp does not feature a dedicated fiddle program, fiddle players are of course welcome to participate. And if you happen to be interested in getting a head start on banjo, we offer a special two-hour “Introducing the Banjo” session on Friday morning.

How to Describe Us to Your Banjo Pickin’ Friends: At MBC, you can study old-time or bluegrass banjo with some of today’s best players and teachers in both styles. Our program features hands-on classes, demonstrations and two faculty concerts, and still leaves lots of time for jamming with your fellow banjo enthusiasts.

Here are our banjo instructors for 2010:

Old-time Instructors: Cathy Barton Para, Mac Benford, Paul Brown, Adam Hurt, Brad Leftwich, Joel Mabus, Michael Miles, and Ken Perlman. Terri McMurray leads the novices program.

Bluegrass Instructors: Ryan Cavanaugh, Bill Evans, Murphy Henry, Bill Keith, Jens Kruger, James McKinney, Ned Luberecki, David Talbot and Pete Wernick. Mike Sumner leads the novices program.

Guitar and Bass Tracks: Our principal guitar instructor this year is Uwe Kruger of the Kruger Brothers Band. Guitar classes will also be taught by Dave Para. Our principal bass instructor this year is Joel Landsberg of the Kruger Brothers Band

Accompanists: Our MBC accompanists for 2010 are Alan Jabbour (old-time fiddle), Peter Knupfer (bluegrass fiddle), Uwe Kruger (bluegrass guitar), Joel Landsberg (bass), and Dave Para (old-time guitar).

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@midwestbanjocamp.com. As usual, you can find more information, instructor bios, registration forms etc., on the web site:

http://www.midwestbanjocamp.com .

Sincerely,
Ken Perlman & Stan Werbin, Directors
info@midwestbanjocamp.com

Sheet Music Plus

Fiddleplayer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:51:40 +0000

Violin Sheet Music at Sheet Music Plus. Music for beginners to experts. Solo and ensemble music, play alongs, methods and more. Shop now!

New Music for Violinists at Sheet Music Plus

Fiddleplayer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:40:58 +0000

Sheet Music Plus has new violin releases. “Elvis Presley for Violin” looks very interesting.

The Copland Violin Collection: $22.99

Beethoven: Two Romances for Violin (Classical Play-Along): $12.99

Best of Bach for Violin: $10.99

Elvis Presley for Violin: $12.99

Violin Solos on Symphony Themes: $7.99 – 20% off

Elementary Fiddling

Fiddleplayer — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:13:58 +0000

Elementary Fiddling
by: Mike Casey
Book and CD set
$15.95

The most comprehensive fiddle instruction book on the market. This 83-page book includes helpful instructional photos and many line-art illustrations by the suthor. Perect for beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Includes step-by-step instructions in technique and note reading complete with illustrations, easy beginning exercize tunes, and over thirty traditional American, Canadian and Irish tunes ranging from medium to difficult. Some of the many favorite tunes included are: Arkansas Traveler, Bill Cheatham, Clarinet Polka, Cottoneyed Joe, Durham Ranger, Heel and Toe Polka, Kansas City Kitty, Kiss Me Walts, Larry O’Gaff, Little Betty Brown, Redwing, Sailor’s Horn Pipe, Tom and Jerry, Yellow Rose Walts and many more. Also included are an annotated guide to over 100 fiddle recordings, list of record companies, and an instructional CD. Author Mike Casey has played and taught fiddle for over twenty years, and has transcribed his favorite tunes in this handsome book. Perfect for self learning, individual instruction, and group lessons and workshops.
Published by:
Mike Casey
5045 W. 24th St.
Cicero, IL 60804

Mark O’Connors New Violin Method

Fiddleplayer — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:18:31 +0000

Mark O’Connor’s new violin method uses America’s Classical and Folk music. Books I and II are finally available. You can find the books at Shar Music. Below, is a list of teacher training seminars around the country. Please visit his site for more information. Congratuations Mark!

O’CONNOR VIOLIN METHOD SEMINARS IN MAJOR CITIES AROUND THE U.S THIS YEAR

(please contact Pamela Wiley at pamdewall@yahoo.com or 843.743.5322 to register)

10/31-11/1 – Lexington, KY (University of KY) Completed

12/11-13 – Boston, MA (Berklee College)

1/16-18 – Washington D.C. (George Washington University)

1/29-31 – Miami, FL (University of Miami)

2/26-28 – Los Angeles, CA (UCLA)

3/5-7 – Chicago, IL (Northwestern University)

3/12-14 – Albany, NY – (The Egg Performing Arts Center)

4/16-18 – Cleveland, OH – (Cleveland Music Institute)

5/21-23 – Toledo, OH – (Toledo Symphony)

Bobby Hicks

Fiddleplayer — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:24:39 +0000

Bobby Hicks is one of my all time favorite fiddlers. His recordings occupy a very large part of my library. I particularly enjoy ‘Fiddle Patch’. Bobby’s DVD “Bobby Hicks Teaches Fiddling Volume 1″ is absolutely invaluable. A “Must Have”! Bobby’s workshops in Marshall, NC are highly recommended. Please visit his site for more information. FiddleplayereBBobby’s

Fiddle or Violin? part 1

Fiddleplayer — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:28:20 +0000

I’m often asked if the fiddle and violin are the same instrument. The answer is yes. The difference is the music you play. And yes, I do play both. The next logical question is electric or acoustic. I have two antique acoustics and one Fender electric solid body. All have different voices and purposes. But I do employ a Barcus Berry pickup for the antiques. It’s one of the best on the market for several reasons: No damage to the finish, ease of use, non-permanent, and exceptional tone quality. More in Part 2, “Electric or Acoustic”. Fiddleplayer