Since the invention of the violin, the music of its unschooled alter-ego, the fiddle, has excited people to dance, evoked the devil and the spiritual, echoed the human voice and heart. It is an instrument that has made its way into the core of many different traditions and it speaks an international language that is understood worldwide. Fiddle Week at the Swannanoa Gathering celebrates that universality with classes in traditional and contemporary styles including Irish, old-time, bluegrass, Scottish, Cape Breton, swing, Cajun and creole. The week also includes classes in guitar and bass, focusing on accompaniment in these styles, and there are related offerings for the fiddle’s first-cousin, the mandolin, and its big sister, the cello. Classes in technique and improvisation will help move students to a new level of careful focus or expanded thinking. We also offer a Children's
Program this year. The class schedule has been structured in such a way as to allow students to explore a rich variety of fiddle styles each day. Each instructor teaches both intermediate and advanced classes in their area of expertise, and students are asked to place themselves in the appropriate level. For most of the style classes, it is recommended that students should play at an Intermediate level or above: students should have mastered beginning skills, be able to tune their instruments, keep time, play the principal scales cleanly, and know how to play a few tunes with confidence. New this year is an emphasis on exploring what it takes to play with other musicians. In the last class period of the day, students will form bands, and with the guidance of instructors, arrange and rehearse with the option to perform at the student showcase on Friday evening. You can view classes here as well as staff bios. Or go directly to an individual instructor's
bio by clicking on one of the names to the right. Fiddle Week runs concurrently with our Traditional Song Week, and students may take classes in either program.
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