Mondays, 8:30-9:45 pm, beginning September 11
$130.00 advance / $140.00 after September 4
*Classes will not be held on 10/2, make-ups on 10/23
Register online
Have you always wanted to play the fiddle? We'll cover Holding the violin, holding the bow, using the violin as a noisemaker, and then turning that noise into music! We'll start at the very beginning and build the ability to enjoy your instrument. We'll learn fiddle tunes by listening -- Learning to play by ear -- well as introduce the reading of music notation. By the end of class you'll have all the tools for playing a number of tunes, and know how to join in jams.
Requirements:
1. A fiddle and bow -- in playable condition
2. Rosin
3. And I strongly suggest having a violin shoulder rest - Brand names for a couple shoulder rests: Kun or Wolf
4. A clip-on Electronic Tuner - Brand names for a couple tuners: Snark or Intellituner
Any good violin store and many music stores will carry the above.
Erik Hoffman spends his time calling Old-Time Country Dancing and playing music (fiddle, guitar, voice, mandolin, bodhran, and other odds and ends). Erik became interested in traditional music and dance when he returned to his home town of Santa Barbara in 1980. Friends dragged him to the contra dances, and he became addicted. In 1985 he called his first dance.
In 1987, Erik took up the fiddle. Three weeks later, on a dare, he competed in the Santa Barbara Old Time Fiddle Contest and won third place in beginning fiddle in a field of three. The following year he placed first in intermediate fiddle. In 1990, Erik came in third in advanced traditional singing.
Traveling all over the state, Erik has become well known from Arcata to San Diego, and from Carson City, Nevada, to the Bay Area. He has also toured the United States extensively, on both coasts, and in between. He has been staff at a number of festivals, including the Bay Area Country Dance Society's American Week, Family Week, and Spring Weekend (Monte Toyon); CD*NY's Hudson Guild; Sacramento's Echo Summit; California Traditional Music Society's Solstice and New Year's festivals; San Luis Obispo radio KCBX's Live Oak Music Festival; New Mexico Folk Music & Dance's Memorial Day Weekend; and Seattle's Slugs at Sunrise Music and Dance Camp.
Erik loves the spirit and joy that is passed along with traditional music and dance, and loves to share his enthusiasm.
Visit Erik's website