Friday, November 12, 2010, from 9:30AM - 5PM at The Old Groton Inn

These earlier workshops during the day on Friday are a bit more relaxed than Fiddle Hell itself.  If you're coming from far away, these will add to your experience and help amortize your travel costs. The six workshop leaders are excellent traditional 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. This includes free admission to the 8PM Friday night concert, but does not cover the $40 donation for Fiddle Hell. You can pay in advance or pay when you show up. Please do show up if you have pre-registered! Contact Dave to sign up now!

2010 Instructors: Dave Reiner, Kimberley Fraser,  David Kaynor, Andy Reiner, Julie Metcalf, and Clayton March.

2010 Locations: CH = Carriage House, GMR = Grandma Moses Room, MWR = Martha Washington Room, BB = Back Bar, PCH = Porch, SR = Sitting Rooms

If you're not familiar with some of the tunes we play at Fiddle Hell, Dave suggests that you order the new 2-CD set of all 52 of the common tunes, played both up-to-tempo and slowly. This is just $15 postpaid (within the continental US) in our Store. The 2-CD set will be shipped to you at the beginning of September, 2010.

11:00 - 11:50AM
Beginners, Clayton and Andy, CH (+ SR if needed): Common repertoire tunes for Fiddle Hell (very slowly!)
Beginners, Kimberley, PCH: Cape Breton fiddle introduction
Beginners, David K, MWR: Contradance fiddle introduction
Intermediates, Dave R, GMR: Bowing patterns that make tunes come alive
Intermediates, Julie, BB: Playing with another fiddler - backup, harmonies, and more

Noon - lunch buffet available at Inn for about $10

1:00 - 1:50PM
Beginners, Julie, CH: Essential bowing techniques
Beginners, David K, SR: Swedish and Norwegian fiddle introduction
Beginners + Intermediates, Kimberley, GMR: Cape Breton fiddle introduction
Intermediates, Clayton, PCH: Irish fiddle including ornaments
Intermediates, Andy, MWR: Writing your own fiddle tunes - it's easy!

2:00 - 2:50PM
Beginners, Clayton, GMR: Introduction to Irish fiddle
Beginners, Andy, PCH: Introduction to bluegrass fiddle
Beginners + Intermediates, David K, CH: Contradance fiddle
Intermediates, Julie, MWR: Common repertoire for Fiddle Hell (slow)
Intermediates, Kimberley, BB: Cape Breton fiddle

3:00 - 3:50PM
Beginners, Julie and Clayton, BB (+ SR if needed): Beginners' Q&A on technique (or anything else)
Beginners, Dave R, CH: Chords, harmony, and drone strings on fiddle
Intermediates, Andy, GMR: Improvising on the fiddle
Intermediates, Kimberley, MWR: Cape Breton fiddle
Intermediates, David K, PCH: Contradance fiddle

4:00 - 5:00PM
Beginners, Julie and Andy, CH: Beginners' guided jam (get in the mood!)
Intermediates, Clayton, GMR: Learning tunes and patterns by ear (a valuable skill)
Intermediates, Kimberley, MWR: Cape Breton fiddle
Intermediates, David K, PCH: Contradance fiddle

5PM Pre-Fiddle-Hell Workshops conclude (with smiles all around!)

6PM Fiddle Hell officially starts. Look for fellow fiddlers in the dining room and all over the Inn.

8PM Concert in the Carriage House!  Free if you have attended Pre-Fiddle-Hell Workshops!

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