ABOUT OUR UPCOMING TUNES:

September: Breakdown – Grey Eagle
September 11, 18, 25 (3 Learning Classes – No Performance Class in September)

Grey Eagle is one of the “top 10” Texas-style tunes. What makes a tune “top 10”? All of these were originally two-part tunes passed down from generation to generation as each fiddler added their own signature parts. These tunes now have at least 8-10 established variations that have become part of the tune.

Grey Eagle is in the key of A — the brightest key on the fiddle.

I’ll teach a version that includes parts from Howdy Forester, Benny Thomasson, and Byant Houston. We’ll focus on groove, bowings, and how the notes can facilitate connecting with your backup players.

In September, we’ll take three classes to learn Grey Eagle by ear. 3-Month Pass holders will have the opportunity to perform it in October or November.

Skills Include:

• • Shifting
  • Sweeping rolls
  • The E string harmonic
  • Three-note slurs
  • String crossings on all strings
    

October: Waltz – Wednesday Night Waltz
October 2, 16, 30

I recorded this classic, Wednesday Night Waltz, on my album “Who Walks In” with the legendary Bob Crisman and Andy Daring on guitar! This waltz is near and dear to my heart, as I played it in 1998 when I won the Junior Division at the National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest.

The first recording I heard of this was by one of my favorite fiddlers, Jim “Texas Shorty” Chancellor. Wednesday Night is the perfect vehicle for achieving a beautiful and rich tone.

This waltz is the epitome of Texas-style waltzes, with its third-position double stops. I recorded the classic Wednesday Night Waltz on my album “Who Walks In” with the legendary Bob Christman on guitar! This waltz is special to me because I played it in 1998 when I won the Junior Division at the National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest.

This two-part waltz is in the key of D. It would fit nicely in a round with Grey Eagle in the key of A. Wednesday Night Waltz is a must for any fiddler!

Skills Include:

• • Shifting waltz style
  • Third position
  • Third-position double-stops
  • Melodic waltz phrasing
  • Waltz groove

November: Tune of Choice – Black & White Rag (in G)
November 6, 20, December 4

Black & White Rag in the key of G is as classic as it comes. This has always been a part of my repertoire, and we even played it when I was in The Western Flyers. It’s a crowd favorite. If you already play this tune in the key of A (as I teach it inside Fiddle School), you can almost consider this a different tune in the Key of G.

In the key of G, we have four parts:

• The first part — in the key of G
• The key of C high part
• The key of C low part
• The key of G (arpeggio) part

A fabulous tune of choice, the version I’ll be teaching is influenced by Terry Morris, Johnny Gimble, and a touch of Katie G. So; it’ll feel fresh, traditional, and alive—all at once!

Skills include:

• • Tritones
  • String crossings
  • Third position
  • Fourth position
  • G, D7, and E Arpeggios two octaves

IMPORTANT REGISTRATION NOTICE: Monthly passes have a limit of 1 per order, and can only be applied to the nearest upcoming month at the time of purchase. To make sure you are registered for the class of your choice, please register by 11:59 PM MT the night before the first class. If you purchase after this deadline, you will automatically be signed up for the following month.