Spring 2012

This session will focus on single-note lead playing for bluegrass and old-time songs and fiddle tunes in the style of Doc Watson, Clarence White, and others. Some experience using a flatpick is helpful but not necessarily essential. Intemediate level.

Learn to play mandolin! The mandolin is a versatile instrument capable of playing multiples roles in a variety of styles: folk, bluegrass, country, jazz, classical, your own style! Together we’ll learn the basic techniques that will help us find simple chords and beautiful melodies and make our little eight-stringed instrument sing! This class is for absolute beginners and those of you who are just starting to play around with the instrument. Young fiddlers are highly encouraged to join as the mandolin and violin use the same tuning and fingering. Knowledge of music reading may be helpful but is not necessary. Contact instructor by email with any questions. Ages 7-13. (Interested teenagers should enroll in “Mandolin: the next step)

In this class, we'll learn a variety of tunes common to Cape Breton Island. Most of the tunes are of Scottish and Irish origin, or composed by Cape Bretoners, and include airs, marches, strathspeys, reels and jigs. The tunes will be taught by ear, and include discussion of the ornamentation and bowing that lends a Cape Breton sound. The focus will be on developing a repertoire to play with other people. (Sessions in Cape Breton traditionally involved one melody instrument playing at a time, while others listened, but sessions of groups of people playing together are gradually becoming more common.) All instruments are welcome. Players should be intermediate to advanced.