variety of styles and genres, including old-time fiddling, blues, jazz, swing, klezmer, classic rock, and more. These campers are learning old-time fiddle tunes in a traditional "no sheet music" format. Sometimes we read, sometimes we play by ear. You'll get great experience and help with both ways of learning tunes! String Theory: You'll have an opportunity to improve your general musicianship skills through special instruction on improvising, ensemble playing, applied music theory, and ear training. The cello players on the right are learning about reading chord changes in our class affectionately known as "bass boot camp."
standard technique skills as well as learning special techniques used in popular music styles. Violin, viola, cello, string bass: We'll work on both right and left hand techniques.
Guitar: We will present intensive guitar workshops in a number of different styles, designed around campers’ musical interests. • Learn accompaniment patterns in various styles • Fingerpicking patterns • Flat-picking, bluegrass • Blues, Jazz, and Swing styles • Improvisation 5-string banjo: • Basic “clawhammer,” or “frailing” technique • Old-time dance tune repertoire • Playing with fiddlers • Advanced techniques include drop-thumbing, 5th string fretting, melodic style. Mix-n-Match groups: Since we’re all at different levels of development, we will break into smaller groups (we average 10 students per teacher) to work on tunes, technique, and theory skills. This will help your teachers make sure that everyone is challenged just the right amount. We’ll work on our ensemble skills in larger groups. This way you can learn at your own speed but still get to play with lots of friends for at least part of each day!
opportunities to learn too. Please visit Teachers' Summer Camp for more information. Final concert: We give concerts for our families and fans on the last day of camp. We also have outside gigs during the week! This picture is from a gig at the Urbana Free Library's children's concert series. Back to Curriculum Main Page Back to Summer Camp Main Page Back to Bow-Dacious Home Page |
| We often have multiple staff members working together with smaller groups of students. |
