The workshop takes a hands-on approach to old time fiddle. Tunes are taught a phrase at a time, first melody, then bowing, and then piecing things together. We'll dig into old-time music's unique phrasing, rhythm and syncopation, intonation, etc. The tune is the vehicle, so mostly we'll be playing!
Bruce Molsky has become known as one of the most influential traditional fiddlers of his generation. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune calls him "old-time music's answer to Ry Cooder - a commanding musician with a voracious appetite for traditional music styles." Bruce performs solo and with his new trio Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, with Mozaik (Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny et al), with Aly Bain & Ale Moller and others, and has brought the beauty and depth of American Old-Time Music around the globe. He is featured on Mark Knopfler’s latest solo CD Tracker, on Altan’s The Widening Gyre, and is Visiting Scholar in the American Roots Music Program at Berklee College of Music.
Equipment Needed: Violin/Fiddle and bow. A recorder is highly recommended. Since developing ear training skills is one of the workshop goals, written music will not be provided.
Suggested experience level: If you're comfortable with the instrument and have at least a small repertoire of tunes then you'll be fine. The skeleton of the tune is taught first, and then built upon with additional bowing, variations, etc.