Workshops and Lessons
Vintage Mississippi Fiddle Tune Workshop
During this workshop, in addition to basic fiddle techniques, I teach and discuss fiddle tunes from Mississippi. There is a touch of blues, a hint of ragtime, and an opinionated touch of melody from the legacy of the great fiddlers of the 1920’s and ‘30’s.
The workshop for beginning players is 1 1/2 to 2 hours in length and usually teaches 2 complete tunes. I play short versions of several tunes, discuss their history, and any quirks of musical interest. The participants vote on which tune they would like to learn. I then break the tune down into short passages that are taught to the group by ear. Bowings and variations are taught. I repeat this process for the next selection to be taught. If there is sufficient demand, a second or more workshops can be added covering other tunes.
For
more advanced players the workshop can consist of playing a variety of
tunes at moderate tempo to give a playing overview, provide the
attendees with an opportunity to record each tune and the opportunity to
ask questions. Tunes will still be broken down into phrases and
attention paid to chord structure and any distinctive bowing or
techniques but many tunes will be surveyed.
The tunes I teach are
drawn from WPA era manuscripts, commercial 78's from the 1920's and
1930's, Library of Congress field recordings of 1939 and later informal
field and home recordings and from.
For workshops contact Harry.
Previous workshops:
Folksounds Transatlantic Workshopsin Elmstein Germany 2017 & 2018
German workshops 2017, Frankfurt, Bonn
Old time on the Onion, Montpilier, VT - July, 2017
Pinewoods folk music fall weekend May, - 2016
Albuquerque - Oct, 2016
Fayetteville Ark - Oct, 2016
Jacksonville, FL - Sept, 2016
Lake Genero Festival, Hamlin PA - Sept, 2016
Brandywine Festival, West Chester, PA - June, 2015