Tartan Tundra Music

Workshops This Winter: Bodhrán, Swedish Fiddling, Scottish Fiddling And More

Welcome to Workshop Winter here at Tartan Tundra Music!

Kicking it off with a bang, literally, is our Beginning Bodhrán Workshop!

Three Wednesday in a row, starting November 1: 5:30–6:30 we'll explore this Irish drum. You will learn three important rhythms that will help you play along in any traditional jam. Each week is a new rhythm. You'll get plenty of practice playing along with a live fiddler, and go home with handouts that will allow you to practice at home. You don't have to have a drum. Facsimile drums will be provided,(yours to keep) and you'll also get time on one of my drums during the class. Cost: $50 for all three weeks. Email jeanofiddler at gmail dot com (you know how to translate that, right?) to get more information and enroll.

 

Swedish Fiddling, Scottish Fiddling are both in the offing with dates and times TBA!

Both will be three weeks each, and the same cost: $50.

 

If you are interested in private lessons, I am certainly offering those, of course: fiddle/violin, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, vocal coaching (adults and teens only).

 

Coming Soon: March is Workshop Month

March is going to be WORKSHOP Month!

The bulk of the classes will be during Spring Break, but will be offered throughout March. Days, times TBA. Bookmark this page to check for the dates and times, which will be posted very soon. I will put up a button so that you can sign up from this page. Let me know what works for you! Some classes may continue, if folks want to keep learning.  Feel free to write to me at jeanofiddler at gmail dot com for questions or suggestions.

 

All participants will receive song sheets or instructional handouts relevant to the workshop.

 

Playing In A Band: A class especially for young people who already play an instrument, but aren't sure how to get a group together. I will put together the group/groups and spend an hour with each group. Type of music is...whatever you want it to be! (2 classes, each 1.5 hrs. $25)

 

Strum & Sing: parents and children up to age 11, playing an instrument (guitar, uke, mandolin) optional but welcome. I will lead everyone in fun songs. The emphasis is on having a good time. Bring strumming and rhythm instruments if you like. I have a few but more is better. 1 hour, $15/person, or two for $25.

 

Strum & Sing: Ages 12 and up, parents welcome, for more fun. Bring strumming and rhythm instruments. 1 hour, $15/person or two for $25.

 

Uke Nation! An introduction to ukulele, one of the most enjoyable instruments around. You will learn at least one song before we are done. And probably more. You must have a ukulele. For all ages but note: children must be old enough to read. 1 hour, $25.

 

Irish Drumming: No instrument required, I will supply faux drums and tippers (drum sticks). We will play hornpipe and reel rhythms at the first class. You can play along with my fiddling, as well as with recordings. 1 hour, $25.

 

INTRO TO FIDDLE: Bring that violin that's been sitting around, or borrow one, and come fiddle around with us! 1 hour, $25.

 

Easy Guitar Strum & Sing, teens to adults. You must have your own guitar. Learn two or three chords, and be motivated by songs you like! 1 hour, $25.

 

 

Fall Schedule, Recital, and Wacky Weather

Weather-Related Challenges

First of all, I'm teaching during our -40°F weather. For many businesses this is a cut-off temperature, but if we let the weather keep us from living our lives, it can be VERY boring!

What is my cut-off temperature? Oh, probably -45°. Vehicles get pretty iffy, and there are enough students who will cancel at those temps. While we are at it, another weather-related condition that would cause me to cancel classes would be a large amount of black ice.

 

Music Challenges

As you know, our Winter Recital is on December 7, 2011, at the Noel Wien Library Auditorium. Students must be there by 6:30 to get organized and tuned up.

I am in search of someone I can hire who would digitally videotape the recital for us. Please give me a call or an email if you know of anyone who can do a good job for us.

Earlier I stated that we'd be playing the Dr. Who theme for this recital, but since there is no string music available for it, it has become a real challenge to create parts for our various instruments using a piano score. Therefore, in order to be fair to the students, I've decided that we will do the Dr. Who Theme during the Spring Recital, which will give everyone a good chance to learn and practice the music. I'm sorry it didn't work out, but just wait, it will be brilliant when we do it next Spring! 

 

Schedule Challenges

The Holidays are coming, and by now you all should have received a Fall Schedule sheet. If not, here are the important bits:

1. No Thursday or Saturday classes on Thanksgiving weekend.

2. Recital December 7, at the Noel Wien Library. Students should arrive there by 6:30. Help setting up and carrying equipment is greatly appreciated!

3. Payment for December and January is due:

The last November day you have your lesson

Thursday, Nov. 17

Saturday, Nov. 19

Monday, Nov. 28

Tuesday, Nov. 29

Wednesday, Nov. 30

 

4. To facilitate figuring out how much to pay, here is a list of the teaching days in December and January

IN DECEMBER (the last lesson day in December will be the 22nd)
Monday  3 lessons
Tuesday 3 lessons
Wednesday three lessons
Thursday four lessons
Saturday three lessons

IN JANUARY, starting the 9th of January
Monday  4 lessons
Tuesday 4 lessons
Wednesday 3 lessons
Thursday 3 lessons
Saturday 3 lessons

 

5. The last day I teach in December is December 22nd. The first day I teach in January 2012 is January 9th.

 

I hope this helps everyone keep our schedule straight! I have handouts with this same information, as well as an information sheet on the recital, down at the studio, so pick one up if you haven't yet.

Jam One Week, Sing the Next : Community Events

Adults and teens come and enjoy singing songs together every other Monday down here at the studio. Starting tonight, June 6, we'll sing. The following week, June 13, we'll jam.

The Song Circle is for adults and teens, the Acoustic Jam is all ages. All children must be accompanied by parents. These are community events just for fun and they are FREE, of course.

We'll meet at Tartan Tundra Music until we overflow the joint, then we'll either go to a larger room in this building or decide where else to meet.

Directions to the studio are in the sidebar via a downloadable PDF.

MONDAY EVENING MUSIC SCHEDULE 

June 6 Song Circle

June 13 Acoustic Jam

June 20 Song Circle

June 27 Acoustic Jam

July 4--HOLIDAY! No jamming or singing here!

July 11 Song Circle

July 18 Acoustic Jam

July 25 Song Circle

August 1 Acoustic Jam

August 8 MY BIRTHDAY! Maybe a party?

August 15 Song Circle

August 22 Acoustic Jam

August 29 Song Circle

How Shall We Have Fun This Summer?

I'm thinking about summer fun with music. Here are some ideas, please let me know if any of these strike your fancy enough to attend. And if YOU have an idea for some musical fun this summer, please post!

1. I've been dying to have a Song Circle. Let's all get together and sing songs, share songs, maybe a couple folks with guitars or ukes? I could bring pillows for the floor, move furniture, whatever it takes and of course I'm talking a fun FREE thing here. Folk songs, sea songs, pop songs....for all and sundry. Kids would have to be attended by their parents, of course. I could see this happening year round.

2. How about a song class for the little kids, I'm thinking ages 3-6, the ones who are still learning Row Row Row and Oh Susannah, and all the basic and fun songs we learned as kids (remember On Top Of Spaghetti? When the Ants Go Marching?)  and parents must attend as well. I'd lead songs, give song sheets out to parents who need them, and there would be a small fee. Probably less than an hour long, geared to the shorter attention spans of the younger child.

3. Good Old American Fiddling for intermediate players. Wouldn't it be great to follow up the Bluegrass Camp and keep on playing?

4. Irish Fidding for intermediate players. Learn some new tunes and techniques! Let me know which tunes you want to learn.

Both of the fiddling classes were very successful two years ago and it's a nice way for students to keep things fresh and fun. These are one-hour classes that ran a course of four weeks. I can't take more than ten students at a time in the instrumental classes, there just isn't room for all those pokey bows!

5. Fun with Ukulele! Strum and Sing classes that were a big hit last time. I could see a Beginning and an Intermediate class, given enough sign-ups. There's still a nice list of songs requested the last time around to get us off to a great start in the intermediate class.

6. Bodhrán: Learn the Irish Drum. Maybe you have one hanging on your wall and you wonder what do do with it? Need one? I can make an order and get a number of them in for those who need them. By the way, it's pronounced BO-rawn. Learn how to recognize and accompany jigs, reels, and hornpipes.

7. Celtic Guitar for Beginners. If you've ever sat in on an Irish session and wondered how on earth people keep up on the guitar, this is the class for you. I'l demonstrate both guitar methods plus I'll fiddle for you so you know what you'll be listening for. I have a book and CD coming out soon that will be included in the class fee, and which will allow you to practice at home, as well.

Anyone interested in a mandolin class?

So those are my ideas. If you have suggestions please do post or call, or email (jeanofiddler at gmail dot com). I'd love to hear from you. Oh, and don't forget, I give lessons via Skype anywhere in the world, so even if you can't come to Tartan Tundra Music, you can still take music lessons, albeit not group lessons.

 

 

Taking Lessons via Skype

Skype is working out just great for private music lessons. We've had no problems connecting at all. If you haven't tried it, don't be afraid, it's not technically difficult at all.

1. Have a computer with broadband access and a web camera. Broadband means DSL, cable, satellite or T1 connection. Dial-up is just too slow, unfortunately.

2. Download Skype and install it on your computer. Start it up and get yourself all situated with a Skype name.

3. While in Skype add TartanTundraMusic as a friend and please email your Skype name to me at jeanofiddler at gmail dot com.

4. Include in your email what type of lessons you are interested in and which times are good for you. Also don't forget to tell me where you are! I am on Alaska time, if you need to figure out when we are both awake!

5. When we are set and ready to go, use the button at the top left to pay for your lessons!

Before we start our lessons, we'll do a ten minute or so dry run with the Skype connection to see if there are things both virtual and physical that might need to be adjusted.

So far it has been a piece of cake. I'm ready when you are!

New Strum & Sing Class Starts Next Week

We at it again! Singing songs and strumming away on ukulele, guitar and mandolin!

Set aside a usually boring Tuesday night for the next four weeks for fun and laughter with friends and new friends as we attempt some of the oddest songs ever played on small hand instruments.

Beginners are totally welcome, we'll get you up to speed in no time flat!

October 6. 13. 20, and 27
7 to 8pm
$45 for the entire month. Must be paid either in advance (preferred) or at the first class.

At the studio (download PDF map in the left hand sidebar).

IMPORTANT: We can only fit ten people in here, so sign up NOW! If we do not have at least five students the class will be postponed until we have at least that number.

Strum & Sing for Adults Postponed

Strum and Sing for Adults has been postoponed to start after the 4th of July holiday, on July 7, a Tuesday, from 7—8pm at Tartan Tundra Studio. So if you thought you missed it, you get a second chance! We are now including mandolins, ukuleles and guitars and having a ball, so don't be shy! Sign up by sending me an email. I'll need your phone number to get in touch with you. The directions to the studio, and a map to the studio are all right here on the website.

New Workshops!

A second round of month-long workshops is coming soon. Here is the line-up. Sign up NOW, as space is very limited. These will continue where we left off for those who have already taken the first month. New students can jump right in.

You can download the flyer HERE.Download Workshopsflyer7.09

If your child is attending the Fairbanks Bluegrass Camp, this is the perfect way to follow up that instruction.

The cost is $45 for the entire 4 weeks. We are not offering classes on Saturdays this time around. Questions? Email me.

Beginning Celtic Fiddling
Mondays, 3—4pm:   June 29, July 13, 20, 27
 From slow, beautiful airs and waltzes on up to jigs and reels. You must be able to play fiddle and read music before attending this class. NO CLASS 4th of July weekend.

Good Old Fiddling
Tuesdays, 3—4pm:   July 7, 14, 21, 28
Learn good old American and Alaskan-style fiddle tunes. You must be able to play fiddle and read music before attending this class.

Guitar Strum & Sing for CHILDREN
Wed. afternoons: 3—4pm July 1, 8, 15, 22
This is for beginners, no experience necessary. We’ll learn simple songs that children and the whole family will enjoy. We had a lot of fun the first month! New kids welcome!

Guitar, Uke, Mando Strum & Sing for ADULTS
Tues. Evenings: 7—8,  June 23, 30, July 7, 14
This is for beginners, no experience necessary. Finally you’ll have fun with your guitar, ukulele or mandolin! This is an ongoing class that may continue through the summer just for fun. A new song every week!

Ukulele Strum & Sing for CHILDREN
TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED--let me know if you are interested. We won't hold it until we get enough students.
This is for beginners, no experience necessary. We’ll learn simple songs that children and the whole family will enjoy.

Latest News on Workshops

We have just enough people to conduct class if we combine the two workshops, Guitar Strum  & Sing for Adults and the Uke Strum & Sing for Adults. These are now one class and will meet on TUESDAYS beginning tonight, May 19, from 7-8pm. If you missed last week no worries, we'll give you last week's songs and help you catch up.

The Children's Uke Strum & Sing is cancelled due to lack of enrollment. However it will be held whenever there are enough students enrolled.

Good Old Fiddling and Beginning Celtic Fiddling are both meeting on Saturdays.There are also spaces available in both workshops if you would like to join.

The only class that hasn't met once yet is the Children's Guitar Strum & Sing which begins this Thursday from 2:30pm -3:30pm. There are five more spaces left in this workshop.

Directions to the studio are on the sidebar---------------------------> See you there!