Check out our workshops for the 2023 Fiddle & Jam weekend! Workshops are for adults and suitable for older kids, age 5th grade and up.
We have 4 separate time slots with workshops for you to choose from! Registration is required; scholarships are readily available. Some workshops have a prerequisite skill level; others are for beginners. Please read below for details.
Use this online form to register or request financial assistance.
Session #1: Saturday at 12:45 pm
These workshops are all for people with at least some skill on their instrument. Select from the list below; remember to register using our
online formMake your own Fiddle Tune Variations, with Chris Talley.
Chris will show you some of her favorite tricks and methods for creating your own custom variations for your fiddle tunes, using “Amazing Grace” and “Redwing” as sample tunes! If you want to get familiar with these tunes before the workshop you can download her TAB and recordings below. You should already know how to play violin or fiddle to enjoy this workshop.
Amazing Grace recording
Amazing Grace fiddle TAB
Redwing recording
Redwing fiddle TAB
Workshop with Charlie Walden & Patt Plunkett
Piano Comping for Fiddle Tunes, with Patt Plunkett & Charlie Walden.
Patt will give you pointers on how to use your keyboard to backup your favorite fiddle player! She’ll show you how to make cool sounding bass lines, spice up chords, and more! You should already know the names of the notes and how to play chords on the piano to enjoy this workshop.
Banjo 1 for beginning level players, with Tom Faux.
Tom will take the group through its paces on some entry level banjo tunes, including some variations. You should have your own banjo and already play a bit in clawhammer style to enjoy this workshop.
Session # 2: Saturday at 2:00 pm
2022 Slow Jam participants
These workshops are all for people with at least some skill on their instrument. Select from the list below; remember to register using our
online form
Learn Illinois Fiddle Tunes, with Charlie Walden & Patt Plunkett
Charlie will teach the class some of the Illinois tunes he knows; workshop participants will have access to PDF versions of his tune book. To enjoy this workshop you should be fairly comfortable playing your violin or mandolin.
Slow Jam, with with Robin Kearton & Tom Faux
For beginners and people who are not used to playing by ear. Instruction will be given as needed, and you can have access to PDF versions of the tunes you learn. This jam is geared toward fiddle, banjo, and guitar players, but everyone is welcome!
Session # 3: Saturday at 3:15 pm
This session has one beginner workshop, and others for people who already have some skill on their instrument.
Select from the list below; remember to register using our online formViolin from Scratch, with Chris Talley
Chris will show you the basics of playing fiddle–maybe you’ll even learn an easy tune! If you have access to a fiddle please bring it; we will have a limited supply of fiddles for use during the workshop.
How to Play Fiddle for a Contra Dance, with Charlie Walden & Patt Plunkett
For people who already play fiddle. Charlie will talk through and demonstrate tricks that are helpful to fiddlers playing for a contra dance.
Banjo 2 for intermediate/advanced players, with Tom Faux.
For banjo players who can already get around on the instrument in clawhammer style. Tom will teach tunes, show you some cool licks you can use to make variations, and provide lots of inspirational twang!
Session # 4: Saturday at 4:30 pm
This session includes a fiddle workshop for people who already play a bit, and a dance workshop with no skill requirement!
Select from the list below; remember to register using our online formBeginning Improv on a Fiddle Tune, with Chris Talley & Tom Faux.
For people who can already play at advanced beginner or higher level.
Dancing with Fiddlers, with Jackie Vaidan & Robin Kearton.
For anyone who wants to dance! Jackie (Urbana Dance Company) will get you moving while Robin fiddles!
