Dave and Andy Reiner - "Bowing Patterns in Traditional Fiddle Styles"

$15

Recorded May 8, 2011 | Length: 1.5 hours+ | About Dave Reiner About Andy Reiner
Bowing patterns include not just sequences of downbows and upbows, but also rhythmic groupings and slurs, accents and pulses, chops and anticipations, bow rocking and string crossings. While each fiddler gradually develops his or her own approach to bowing, it's very helpful to learn the common bowing patterns in the style you play. It's the difference between merely playing the notes of a tune, and making your fiddling really come alive!

Dave and Andy will focus on Southern oldtime, New England, Irish, and bluegrass styles, using short sections of common tunes to put the bowing in context. After a recap of three basic patterns from our February workshop, we'll move on to new ground, including more examples of anticipation, rocking, and accents, as well as Georgia shuffle, Tommy's shuffle, and even the double shuffle. This is all hands-on, in the context of traditional tunes, and we'll practice the patterns together at a slow speed.

This workshop is appropriate for beginners (who know 8 tunes, say) through intermediates. Recording is encouraged, so you can return to any point in the workshop to listen and watch it again. We'll be using an external mic for improved sound quality, and sitting close to the camera so you can clearly see our bowings. Suggested listening, before or after, is "52 Traditional Tunes from Fiddle Hell: Played Fast and Slow" by the Reiner Family Band.

Megan Lynch - "Double Stops and Drones"

$15

Recorded July 21, 2011 | Length: 1.5 hours+ | About Megan Lynch
In this workshop National Fiddle Champion and professional bluegrass fiddler Megan B. Lynch will show you some great double stop patterns in many common keys (as well as some uncommon ones!) as well as how to add droning strings to give your playing a fuller sound. Megan will cover double stops in several positions, but never fear, the entire fingerboard will be worry free when you get done with this workshop! This is geared for more advanced beginners as well as intermediate/advanced players.

Megan Lynch - "More Jamming - Fiddle Style"

$15

Recorded August 29, 2011 | Length: 1.5 hours+ | About Megan Lynch
There can never be enough tricks and tips to being a successful jamming fiddler. Whether it be a bluegrass jam where you're desperately wanting to participate but aren't sure how, or an old-time jam where you're not sure how to play all those great old tunes with the word "possum" in the title, there are ways to succeed and Megan Lynch can help you. This workshop is for advanced beginners to advanced players who want to know how to get the most out of every group playing experience. Bring lots of questions!

Megan Lynch "Breaks and Fills - What You Really Need to Know"

$15

Recorded April 29, 2011 | Length: 1.5 hours+ | About Megan Lynch
National Champion and Master Teacher Megan Lynch will teach you specific fills and breaks to help you make it through your favorite bluegrass, country, or folk jam. Sure, there are tricks and shortcuts for surviving these things on the fly but wouldn't you love to have a whole list of real fills (in all the keys!) and solos that you can learn, memorize, and then count on the next time someone points to you in a jam? OK, we'll cover the tricks and shortcuts too. Megan will provide sheet music for all the fill examples as well as at least 3 different killer bluegrass breaks in several different keys!