Have you been playing for a while, feel like you can learn tunes and maybe sit in with bands, but want to find ways to get better at it? The Walker Creek Bluegrass Fiddle Class will be cultivating your skills to feel confident in assuming the fiddle position in a bluegrass band. To be sure that we cover things that are specifically important to your journey, come to the first session with a list of things you would like to learn from me, and we will try to tackle/apply them as the camp progresses. 

Beyond what you specifically request, my areas of focus might include:

• Intros, signature licks and endings
• Creating solos (melodic and improv)
• Backing up/supporting a vocalist or other instrumentalist
• Perfecting a featured instrumental 
• Double stops 
• Critical listening: learning how to listen and who to listen to
• Finding YOUR fiddle voice 
• Perfecting tone and technique
• Hearing and playing harmony (twin or triple fiddling)
• Music theory
• Intentional listening and learning by ear

What you’ll need:

• A list of things you’d like to learn (at least three things)
• Notebook & pen/pencil
• Something to record and/or video with (iPhones work great!)
• Fiddle, bow, and shoulder rest (unless you feel really strongly about not using one… really strongly)

My teaching style:

My goal is to keep you playing, but I also teach the way I learn, which is by listening, analyzing, asking questions and seeking answers to the things I am curious about or have trouble with. You will find that I do not believe there is one specific way to do something, the answer is generally “maybe or sometimes”, and I enjoy fiddlosophy. My personal mission is to leave my students more equipped to become the fiddlers they want to be. 

My hope is that by the end of the camp you will have learned some of the core characteristics of bluegrass fiddle (and beyond), some new tips and tricks to work on, and will be a little more inspired to pick up your fiddle each day!