Adult Group Violin and Fiddle Classes 

Beginning Level 1 &  Continuing Violin and Fiddle Workshop  &  Intermediate Violin → Fiddle

March 30th - May 21st  

At the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut Street)

Led by  Maddy Smith

Deadline to Register is March 27th

Limited Spots Per Class Are Available (17 per class)

Class Information: 

Beginning Level 1 Violin/Fiddle

Have you always wanted to try the violin but never had the chance? This class offers a welcoming, low-pressure introduction to violin playing in a supportive group setting. Together, we will learn how to hold the instrument and bow, explore the basics of tone production, and start playing some simple and rewarding melodies! No music experience required; we will start at the absolute beginning. Whether you want to play classical music or fiddle tunes, you’ll build a solid foundation of technique while experiencing the joy of making music together.

Continuing Violin & Fiddle Workshop

If you have taken a Philly Music Factory’s Beginning 1 or Beginning 2 violin class in the past, or have a few months of violin experience elsewhere, join us for the Continuing Violin & Fiddle workshop. We’ll continue polishing technique and expanding repertoire as students brush up on sheet music literacy, play more advanced songs, and, of course, continue having fun making music. If you’re excited to keep learning violin or fiddle in a fun, laid-back group atmosphere, come join us!

Intermediate Violin → Fiddle

What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle? A violin has “strings,” and a fiddle has “strangs.” (Trust me, it’s funnier in person!) In this class, you’ll explore how to turn your violin playing into fiddling. Maybe you played violin in school but haven’t picked it up in a while, or perhaps you’ve been learning on your own and want to start playing with others. Either way, this is your chance to learn some great tunes and build the skills to join a jam. We’ll start building a repertoire of tunes, work on listening and learning by ear, and explore ways to add that “fiddly” flavor like double stops, drones, slides, and old-time bowing patterns.

Logistical Information:

The class runs every Monday and Thursdays for 8 weeks, from March 30th - May 21st. Mondays from 6:15-7:15 PM (Beginning

Level 1); Mondays from 7:30-8:30pm and Thursdays 5:45-6:45pm (Continuing Violin & Fiddle Workshop); Thursdays from 7:00-8:15pm (Intermediate Violin → Fiddle) at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut.

The exact dates are: Mondays March 30,  April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18; Thursdays April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21

The class takes place in The Parish Room, on the first floor of the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut Street).

If you think that you will miss more than two classes, leave the season early, or you cannot arrive consistently on time, we encourage you to sign up when your schedule allows. While it is normal that people get sick and things come up, we want to keep our musical momentum. 

Please email the instructor at madeleine.611@gmail.com if you need help in finding an instrument to rent or borrow for the class.

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