Course Descriptions

Judy Hyman

Old Time fiddling is all about pulsing, fluidity, ringing and tone; these are our lifelong pursuit.  In this class I plan to do a deep dive into some of my favorite tunes, with close attention to bowing and style to make rhythm and bounce.  First, we’ll learn the bare bones of the tune and then we’ll layer on detail, including fun ways to use our bow (our paintbrush!) to work the strings so we make a groove and keep the instrument singing.  We’ll also take excursions into technique and anything else of interest that comes up.  In addition, we’ll take a little time to watch videos of Judy’s favorite fiddlers and talk about what we see and hear.  Bring a tuner and some extra strings (just in case), as we’ll get into various different tunings.  And of course, bring a recording device so you can take it all home.

Josh Goforth

Learning the fiddle can be daunting. Sometimes you feel like you are flying and other times you feel like you are plodding through a swamp with mud boots on. Never fear! This class is designed to help you gain confidence and not sweat the small stuff on your learning journey. We will cover a broad range of topics including but not limited to: technique, bow rhythm, tone, timing, practice, intonation and of course local Madison County NC tunes. Each new tune will be used as an example to help you understand the topic or concept we are covering. So, if you know how to basically hold the fiddle and have a few tunes under your belt, come join us. We will learn together in a low pressure, high fun environment. A recording device is recommended.

Frank Evans

In this class we will be focussing on repertoire in various tunings and modes. Each melody we will learn will also be accompanied with instruction and ideas on backup, playing the melody in different octaves, and various approaches to playing in an ensemble setting.

Riley Baugus

We’ll be exploring tunes and techniques from the Blue Ridge and beyond, to increase and improve our banjo skills and confidence as players!

Melissa DuPuy

This course will cover a variety of lead techniques including crosspicking, floating, and use of pentatonic and blues scales. We will learn how to construct creative solos for both instrumentals and vocal songs, including the use of extended chords and swing rhythms. The Nashville number system will be discussed and put to use as we use chord substitutions for familiar tunes, capo use, and alternate tunings.

Jeff Claus

This class will focus on developing skills that can help you play rhythmic, rock-solid backup guitar for Southern traditional fiddle music and various styles of singing. The emphasis will be on playing with a great groove and consistent fluidity so the guitar becomes a compelling foundation and springboard for the other instruments and singing. 

We’ll play in the four fundamental keys of Southern Appalachian stringband music (D, A, G, and C), and we’ll use the basic “bass note/strum” or “boom-chuck” pattern as our framework. We’ll also learn and practice how to vary things in small ways without breaking the flow, and we’ll work on some propulsive bass runs in each of the main keys. 

A moderate amount of demonstration will be combined with a lot of playing time with a fiddler (or different fiddlers), every day, because I think this is the best way to build the strong motor skills required for solid backup. It also allows good questions and examples to grow out of real-life playing situations (e.g., around chord choices, how often to use bass runs, capo or not, more boom or more chuck, ways to maintain a loose but firm pick hand, playing with different fiddlers, etc.) I also plan to show a few videos and play some audio recordings of different old-time back up guitarists (older, younger, in-between) whose playing I like and who play in a variety of ways. And, there will be handouts with video links for watching good backup guitar players and guides for playing some of the bass runs.

Hopefully, people will know how to play the basic chords of A, Am, D, E, Em, G, C, and F and will bring a video/audio recorder, tuner, and capo

Karen Muller

Grab your mandolin and come join us for a fun week of playing and learning together. Sharpen your skills with technique builders and warmup routines as well as working on playing both lead and backup for a bunch of cool old time tunes in a variety of keys. Instruction will be mostly by ear, with assistance from written materials like tablature and chord charts from time to time. You should already be familiar with the basics of picking tunes and strumming chords on your mandolin.

Evie Ladin

Using the Carter Family as a jumping off place, we will work with simple three part harmony in this beautiful style. Finding harmony lines that sometimes weave around the melody, sometimes cross or create unisons, students will develop a better ability to hear and find parts, as well as learn what gives these harmonies their particular old-time country sound, and power.

Stephen Seifert

Stephen will be teaching traditional old-time mountain dulcimer styles and repertoire as well as the style of playing he's best known for which includes a number of modern techniques and tunes. Music will be taught by-ear with supporting tablature and review videos. You'll go home knowing exactly what to work on. A strong focus will be on finding the barebones of any tune and specifically how to make it your own. The main tuning will be DAD, but a number of arrangements will require alternate tunings like DGD. Bring a capo and expect a good bit of work on strumming, fingerpicking, and flatpicking.

For Intermediates and up as well as brave beginners.

Rachel Eddy

This class is open to all instruments, and will be focused on helping early intermediate players improve their skills in making music with others. We will learn how to listen, lead, follow, and work in both large and smaller ensembles throughout the week. We will discuss and learn how to learn tunes, and how to fill the role of our chosen instrument in the context of an ensemble. Your playing does not have to be at an intermediate/advanced level, but it is important that you have some command over your instrument, know how to tune it, and have at least a small handful of tunes in your back pocket.

Andrew Small & Ashlee Watkins

The Heart of the Blue Ridge: Traditional Song and Dance Rhythm & Repertoire

Get ready to dig deep into the old time music traditions of Southwest Virginia! With a focus on fiddle-driven dance music, we invite all string band instruments to join us as we delve into the living traditions of the Blue Ridge region. We’ll cover an array of richly stylized material while exploring ways to add character and regional flavor to your playing. Strong, danceable rhythms and the patterns behind them will be a primary focus throughout the week. Fiddle tunes don’t exist in a vacuum in SWVA and they won’t in our class either! We’ll mix in regional song repertoire for variety - just like you’ll hear at any old time dance or fiddlers convention in the region. Join us as we uncover the heart of our Blue Ridge music traditions!

Rhythm and Repertoire of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas:

Tricia Spencer & Howard Rains

Howard Rains and Tricia Spencer have a combined experience of over 80 years of playing the fiddle. Together they will teach fiddle tunes from the deep well of their repertoire of old time tunes from Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas (as well as some Missouri tunes). These are older and more archaic tunes than are typically thought as being from Texas and the midwest. Many of these tunes were learned directly from older masters or family members such as Tricia's grandpa, Kansas old-time fiddler Vernon Spencer. Howard will also teach his guitar chording for the tunes. Bring a recording device and expect to have a great time.

Judy Hyma

Over the years I’ve made a number of original fiddle tunes and waltzes, and I’m honored that some of them have been recorded by others (e.g., Jake Blount, Tatiana Hargreaves and Allison de Groot, George Jackson, Rodney Miller, The Moon Shells …).  Come learn some of these the way they were first created!  Expect alternate tunings.  Bring a recording device and maybe an extra set of strings, just in case. 

Jeff Claus

Small but mighty, the banjo uke and regular uke can bring powerfully rhythmic drive and compelling chordal variation to traditional Southern fiddle and stringband music. In this class (taught on banjo uke, but with regular ukes welcome), we’ll work on developing skills for creating and maintaining a strong, steady groove with smooth flowing chord changes. Initially, there will be some demonstration and exercises designed to help you achieve a solid, rhythmic foundation, then we’ll spend the bulk of our time playing at a moderate tempo, with some guided instruction, in each of the four fundamental keys of A, D, G, and C. Much of our time will be spent playing with a fiddler to help develop the motor skills critical to great groove making. People should know how to play at least the basic chords of A, Am, D, E, Em, G, C, and F and should bring an instrument, a tuner, a video/audio recorder, and a desire to play a steady, propulsive role in the dynamic engine of Southern fiddle and stringband music.

Riley Baugus

Amy Buckingham

The upright bass is the bedrock of good old time music. If you play. another instrument or even if you’re a beginning musician, this class will get your feet wet. We will learn some “bass-ics”, such as how to play in the keys of D, G and A and how to follow guitar players’ chords. A recording device may be helpful. Oh, and a bass would be helpful as well, but isn’t required if you know how to share.

Matthew Sabatella

Do you ever get stuck not knowing what to play on banjo during old-time jams, especially when you don't know the tune? Matthew will share ideas and inspiration to breathe new life into your playing. Concepts include bass runs, rhythm patterns, chords up the neck, connecting chords, finding the melody, counter melody and harmony, recognizing guitar chords, and the chord number system.