Our Pre-Fiddle-Hell Workshops were a lot of fun in 2009! Mark your calendars now for Nov. 12, 2010, for next year's PFH Workshops.

These earlier workshops during the day are a bit more relaxed and less crowded than Fiddle Hell itself. If you're coming from far away, these will add to your experience and help amortize your travel costs. The four workshop leaders are excellent fiddlers and very experienced fiddle teachers.

Pre-Fiddle-Hell workshops are intended for beginners (who know at least 8 tunes, say) through intermediates (who know 20 tunes or more, say).These workshops (and Fiddle Hell itself) are not for novices who can't play any tunes yet. If you're not sure about your level, contact Dave to ask.  It's a good idea to bring a recorder if you can (mp3, tape, ...).

Pre-registration is requested, and the full day of workshops costs just $80 (which includes admission to the Friday night concert in 2010). You can pay in advance or pay when you show up. Please do show up if you have pre-registered! Sign up now!

Dave = Dave Reiner, Julie = Julie Metcalf, Clayton = Clayton March, Andy = Andy Reiner

GMR = Grandma Moses Room, MWR = Martha Washington Room, BB = Back Bar, PCH = Porch

11:00 - 11:50AM
Beginners, Clayton and Andy, MWR (+ BB): Common repertoire tunes for Fiddle Hell (very slowly!)
Intermediates, Dave, GMR: Bowing patterns that make tunes come alive
Intermediates, Julie, Porch: Playing with another fiddler - backup, harmonies, and more

Noon - lunch buffet available at Inn

1:00 - 1:50PM
Beginners, Julie, GMR: Essential bowing techniques
Intermediates, Clayton, BB: Irish style including ornaments
Intermediates, Andy, MWR: It's easy to compose your own fiddle tunes

2:00 - 2:50PM
Beginners, Clayton, GMR: Introduction to Irish style
Beginners, Andy, MWR: Introduction to bluegrass style
Intermediates, Julie: Common repertoire for Fiddle Hell (slow)

3:00 - 3:50PM
Beginners, Julie and Clayton, MWR: Beginners' Q&A on technique (or anything else)
Beginners + Intermediates, Dave, GMR: Chords, harmony, and drone strings on fiddle
Intermediates, Andy, BB: Improvising on the fiddle

4:00 - 5:00PM
Beginners, Julie and Andy, MWR: Beginners' guided jam
Beginners + Intermediates, Dave, GMR: Oldtime styles and tunes
Intermediates, Clayton, BB: Learning tunes and patterns by ear

5:00PM Pre-Fiddle-Hell Workshops conclude

6:00PM Fiddle Hell officially starts. Look for fellow fiddlers in the dining room at the Inn.

Rare photo from first Pre-Fiddle-Hell Workshop, 1891