Learn to Play Mandolin – LTP – Tom Moran

Prerequisites:

As the title implies, there are no prerequisites to this class other than a mandolin and a desire to learn more about the instrument and how to play it.

Styles/tunes taught:

This class will begin with the mechanics of playing the mandolin, including concepts and exercises aimed at developing left and right hand techniques. Along the way we will also be learning some simple tunes and chords that will reinforce these ideas and allow you to begin developing your repertoire of melodies and songs.

Course objectives:

To provide a solid foundation for the study and practice of the mandolin.

Materials provided:

CD, Musical notation and tablature provided.

Learn to Play Fiddle – LTP – Catherine Graham

Prerequisites:

– Have playable fiddle, preferably with bow

– Have two arms with hands, or equivalent body parts

Styles/tunes taught:

These skills will be applicable to any style. My background is northern/Canadian old-time and Irish.

Course objective:

Found an old fiddle in your attic but have no idea how to play it? Need to get the kids started out right? Want to broaden your musical horizons? Join us! We’ll learn

– How to hold the fiddle & bow

– What the strings are, how to make them make sound, and what they’re supposed to sound like (tuning)

– (Optional) How to apologize to your neighbors for making the strings make sound

– Some techniques for participating in jam sessions even before you learn your first tune

– Some basics on how music works

Please note, this is not a tune-learning class. If you are ready to learn tunes, go sign up for Level 1 and have fun! 

Materials provided:

Links to YouTube videos covering key concepts & Paper handouts with key concepts

Learn to play Guitar – LTP – Carolyn Huguenin

Prerequisites: Basic understanding of the guitar, string names, and how to hold a pick would be preferred, but not required.

Materials Needed: Picks, tuner, strap, music stand. Super glue (when allowed to dry) can create artificial calluses on sore fingers, so you can keep playing! (adults only)

Styles/tunes taught: This class is designed for individuals interested in learning to accompany fiddle players. Additionally, it provides foundational knowledge for independent learning.

Course objective:  This course will cover the basic chords, rhythm, and three types of strum patterns that accompany fiddle playing.  We will touch on some theory about which chords go together to help you predict where you might go next when accompanying or jamming. Some homework will be given since chord changes must be practiced to improve change speed. By the end of class, you will be able to back-up fiddle tunes like Boil the Cabbage Down and Edelweiss.

I love all questions and will answer them to the best of my ability, and if I don’t know, I will find out! Please remember—while Fiddle Camp is definitely fun, it should also challenge you!

Materials provided:  Chord charts, chords for tunes, and other useful information will be provided in a booklet. *Materials and instruction may change based on the general needs of the class.

Back-up Piano – Session 2 – Deanna Wilson 

Intermediate

Think bigger than your 3 note chords and use more of the keyboard to create a backup sound for all types of music. Using major 6 chords for comping, utilizing major and flat 7 chords, using right hand chord inversions to build fills and melodies. Take the basics that you already know and make them more interesting. Students should know all their major and minor chord triads. We’ll use chord charts and recordings for this class

Banjo An introduction to Melodic Style – Session 2 – Kaleb Dion

Intermediate/High Intermediate

Prerequisites: A foundation of three-finger style is required including all standard roll patterns and a fundamental understanding of left-hand techniques (i.e., hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, etc.). Students are expected to have a moderate level of proficiency including the use of a metronome and a basic level of familiarity of the fretboard up to the twelfth fret. Students should also have a decent repertoire of Scruggs-Style tunes.
 
Styles/tunes taught: Three-finger style banjo. Tunes that will be covered may include: Cripple Creek, Devil’s Dream, Black Berry Blossom, Whiskey Before Breakfast and more.
 
Course objective: The objective of this course is to encourage students to take a step away from the straight ahead, traditional style banjo as portrayed by Earl Scruggs and to take a dive into other methods such as what was pioneered by Bill Keith and is commonly found amongst the styles of those like Noam Pikelny, Wes Corbett, Tabitha Benedict, Alison Brown and many others. This style was
developed to achieve note-for-note fiddle tunes and will go through the thought process of how to take rolls and knowledge of the fret board to connect the dots through scales and patterns.
 
Materials provided:  Tablatures for material covered in each lesson.

Banjo Scruggs Meets Fiddle Tunes – Session 3 – Kaleb Dion

Lower Intermediate/Intermediate

Prerequisites: A foundation of three-finger style is required including all standard roll patterns and a fundamental understanding of left-hand techniques (i.e., hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, etc.). Students are expected to have a moderate level of proficiency including the use of a metronome and should have a decent tune repertoire as well.

Styles/tunes taught: Scruggs-Style 3-Finger Banjo. Tunes that may be presented in class include but not limited to: Black Berry Blossom, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Arkansas Traveler, Soldiers Joy and more.
 
Course objective:  To provide Scruggs-Style approaches for traditional fiddle-tunes. This course will take a dive into how to decide what notes to omit and replace with rolls and how to get melody notes by using hammer-ons, slides and pull-offs.

Materials provided:  Tablatures for material covered in each lesson.

Bass – Session 1 – Jake Wilson

Class description:  The goal for this class is to become a dependable bass player, both in jamming and in live music situations, and to see just how much fun you can have while doing so! We will discuss the role of the bass in a band, both as a rhythmic instrument and a harmony instrument. We will cover styles such as Western swing, Bluegrass and Fiddle tunes. The music of Bob Wills will be featured heavily, alongside other familiar classics. We will work on improving technique, practical application of music theory, and the musical vocabulary common in the aforementioned genres. We will use chord charts as well as play by ear, and recordings will be provided. Additionally, recording the class is welcomed and always encouraged!

No notation will be provided. Students should have a solid understanding of where notes are located on the fingerboard, as well as knowing their major and minor triads. 

Back-Up Guitar – Session 2 – Carolyn Huguenin

Low Intermediate/Intermediate

Prerequisites: Well-acquainted with the guitar, knowledge of basic chords, can play 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8 timing.

Materials Needed: Picks, tuner, guitar strap, capo (optional), and music stand.

Styles/tunes taught: This class will focus on fiddle player accompaniment, chord knowledge, rhythm, and essential theory. At the end of class, you will have learned every chord in at least three places (or at least how to find them), progressions for common tunes, and more!

Course objective: We will learn about some theory, movable chord forms, different types of chords, runs, progressions, and rhythm. If needed, we will briefly discuss the basics of the ‘Nashville Numbering System’ and elaborate on how it can help you be a better backup guitar player. Some homework will be given since chord changes must be practiced to improve change speed.

I love all questions and will answer them to the best of my ability, and if I don’t know, I will find out! Please remember—while Fiddle Camp is definitely fun, it should also challenge you!

Materials provided:  Chord charts, chords for tunes, and other useful information will be provided in a booklet. Upon request, fiddle tune recordings can be sent to you. *Materials and instruction may change based on the general needs of the class.

Back-up Guitar – Session 3 – Jake Wilson

Intermediate/Advanced

Class Description:  This class will emphasize swing guitar chord changes, right hand technique, and a bit of contest style backup. We will learn some of the same tunes taught in the bass class, in order to create a formidable rhythm section that can jam together easily. We’ll play some classic swing tunes from the likes of Bob Wills and Django Reinhardt, and discuss how to play well with others- especially fiddlers! 

We’ll be using our ears as well as chord charts. Recordings will be provided. No notation will be provided. Students should have a good grasp of basic open and closed guitar chords. Feel free to record! 

Mandolin – Session 1 – Andrew Wilson

Low Intermediate/Intermediate

Description: For those who play fiddle and for those who don’t – this mandolin class will be geared towards the intersection of the two instruments- how to approach the mandolin as a fiddle player, even if you aren’t one! Melodies and basic moveable shapes will be on the menu.

Class Material Provided: We’ll be using my fiddle tab system for this class, and recordings will be provided. No notation will be used.

Mandolin – Session 2 – Tom Moran

Advanced

Level 1 – Session 1 – Carolyn Huguenin

Prerequisites:  Also, students should understand the three common time signatures.

Materials Needed: size appropriate fiddle, tuner, music stand, and recording device (optional). An extra set of strings has been helpful in the past. You never know!

Styles/tunes taught: Students should have a few basic songs memorized and playable, such as Boil the Cabbage Down, Rubber Dolly, and Cripple Creek. By the end of class, students will be playing several tunes, ranging from quick and easy to more challenging pieces to practice at home.

Course Objective: This course will cover proper form, like hand and arm positions. We will discuss techniques to achieve the best sound quality from your fiddle. Instruction will primarily use tablature, though most tunes will also be available in notation. Additionally, we will touch on basic music theory, explore bowing techniques for various tune styles, and address finger placement for different keys.

I love all questions and will answer them to the best of my ability, and if I don’t know, I will find out! Please remember—while Fiddle Camp is definitely fun, it should also challenge you!

Materials provided: A spiral-bound booklet of all tunes and instruction will be provided. *tunes and instruction may change based on the general needs of the class.

Level 1 – Session 2 – Tyler Hagood

Level 2 – Session 1 – Deanna Wilson

Fun Fiddle Tunes to boost technique

I’m bringing a collection of cool new tunes to help understand more about keys and their fingering positions in fiddle tunes, while using good bowing and learning to feel it is emphasized. We’ll be using some uncommon tunes and some harmony parts to develop repertoire while improving technique. We’ll be using fiddle tab and ears for this class. Recordings will be provided and you’re welcome to make them during class as well. There will be no notation for this class.

Level 2 – Session 2 – Sheila Wright

Level 3 – Session 1 – Sheila Wright

Greetings! I’m sure looking forward to another great camp in 2025! For this class, students should be able to play tunes a wide variety of tunes in different keys, with an understanding of highs and lows.  Tunes like Fisher’s Hornpipe, Cincinatti Hornpipe, Red Haired Boy or Devil’s Dream. 

My philosphy about learning tunes is simple: having fun is #1 priority, and tunes don’t have to be complicated.  Its always fun to bring something new to a jam, and a tune played well is always welcomed. 

We will be talking about music theory such as building scales and chords, maybe some harmony work, complicated keys and minor keys, and lots of techniques to improve both hands.  I’ll be bringing some of my now-famous Fiddle Salads.  As well as some tunes you’ve probably never heard before.  

See you soon! 

Level 3 – Session 3 – Jonah Shue

Level 4 – Session 1 – Jonah Shue

Level 4 – Session 3 – Katrina Nicolayeff

Level 5 – Session 1 – Katrina Nicolayeff

Level 5 – Session 2 – Andrew Wilson