Adult Group Violin and Fiddle Classes 

 

Beginning Level 1 & 2 Violin/Fiddle  &  Intermediate Violin → Fiddle

Mondays, January 12th - March 5th  

 

At the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut Street)

Led by  Maddy Smith

 

Deadline to Register is January 8th

Limited Spots Per Class Are Available 

 

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.

 

Beginning Level 2 Violin/Fiddle

This class picks up right where our Beginning Violin 1 course left off! We’ll continue polishing technique and expanding repertoire as students begin learning to read sheet music, play more advanced songs, and, of course, keep having fun making music. This class is for anyone who has completed Beginning Violin 1 or has a little bit of prior experience on the instrument (able to play A and D scales and simple tunes like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star). 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 January 12th - March 5th. Mondays from 6:15-7:15 PM (Beginning Level 1); Mondays from 7:30-8:30pm (Beginning Level 2); Thursdays from 7:00-8:15pm (Intermediate Violin → Fiddle) at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut. The exact dates are: Mondays January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2. Thursdays January 15, 22, 29; Feb 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5

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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