Fiddle
Instructor: Paul Brooks
Course Description:
Level: 2-3 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
Coming Soon …
Paul Brooks (TBC)
Paul has experience teaching the Calgary Fiddlers and Bow Valley Fiddlers, as a private music teacher, and as a camp instructor at the Silver Creek Fiddle Camp for the Alberta Society of Fiddlers and at FAMI.
Paul started playing classical violin at the age of eight and began fiddling at twelve. For four years he played with the fiddle group, Bow Fever, and travelled with members of this group to Nova Scotia. There he performed at the Dartmouth Maritime Fiddle Contest and at a number of concerts and ceilidhs. Paul has attended numerous fiddle camps and workshops, jamborees and contests. He has achieved success at the Wetaskiwin Jig and Reel Contest and the Grand North American here in Alberta. In 2005 Paul was invited to compete in the Grand Masters Fiddle Contest in Ottawa.
Paul's musical interests are wide-ranging. He currently holds the position of Performance and Artist Programs Manager at the National Music Centre and teaches music business at Beat Drop Music Production and DJ School.
Playing Experience Levels
These guidelines aim to ensure that all camp participants have an enjoyable experience. They represent what your playing capability should be before you take the class (prerequisites).
Classes are generally designed to pace themselves to match the participants' abilities. Level 1 classes aim to proceed at the pace of the slower students in the class. Level 2 and 3 classes aim to move at the pace of the majority of students in the class. Level 4 classes are designed to push the capabilities of all students and will target the pace of the more capable students Class descriptions that show a range (Levels 2-3) means the material presented is broadly applicable across that range.
LEVEL 1: You are new or relatively new to your instrument. You may be able to play basic chords or scales slowly. You want to learn the basics of the instrument. You have very little experience playing with others.
LEVEL 2: You are competent with basic chords and/or basic scales. You can keep rhythm and/or play basic melodies and/or sing and play at the same time if the song is familiar. You generally need the chords or melody to be written out in order to play along. You have some experience playing with others.
LEVEL 3: You are reasonably comfortable with most chords, basic major and minor scales, and can play at an appropriate tempo for songs. You are aware of time signatures, song keys, and know that there are chords called 6th, 7th, 11th, etc even if you can’t play them all. You are comfortable maintaining good rhythm and are willing to taking breaks while jamming with others, even if the breaks don't always turn out the way you planned. You may be hoping to take your playing up to the next level of performing with a group or band (beyond jamming) and you want to further improve your technique and speed.
LEVEL 4: You are skilled on your instrument and have a good understanding of musical concepts including scales, arrangements, harmonies and some improvisation. You play lead and back-up with a steady rhythm and can play skillfully with others. You know there is life further up the neck on your instrument and have some capability in that world. You have performing experience, can hold a tune, and can harmonize.