I have been asked to teach some folk music to very young/beginner, fiddle/string players. I know the group and there are only two players who have come across folk music before. I was wondering what tune would be an easy one for me to teach and for them to learn. I'd rather not use dots but if there are dots on here so I have them for emergencies that would be great. I'd be grateful of any help established teachers on here could give me.
There may be some opposed to teaching the most 'hackneyed' tunes to beginners, as it narrows the gene pool, so to speak, and sidelines the lesser known - and often more interesting - tunes. On the other hand, it gives them a fighting chance of being able to join most sessions.
I have done a little teaching of mandolin and whistle and I try to teach a mixture of the well known and the lesser-known. I currently have just one mandolin pupil, who is no longer a beginner and is well able to handle more advanced tunes. But the first few tunes I taught were:
Vincent Campbell's Mazurka http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1276 (although a slightly simpler version than the one posted here - perhaps one I made up myself, but closest to Hugh Gillespie's version, as posted in the comments by Trevor Jennings)
and
These are all tunes which do not depend on ornamentation to sound right, but have plenty of space to introduce ornamentation and variation as the pupils.
advance.
I am probably stating the obvious here: remember that speed is not important but *rhythm is*. Try and instil in them a feel for the different rhythms right from the outset. Use dots as an aide-memoire (perhaps hand them out at the *end* of the class, if requested), but *teach* the tunes solely by ear. Try to break tunes down into 'meaningful' phrases, rather than into bars (which are purely arithmetic divisions).
Just a few ideas there, which some might disagree with.
For very young folks, Pop Goes the Weasel is a good tune for learning. Many (most?) know it in their heads already. 11-15 is probably too old, though. In addition to the tunes suggested above, Tripping Up the Stairsis good. Good luck to you.
I have taught Terry Teahan's and Autumn Child - both slow reels to beginners in this age group with reasonable results.
One thing that is good to do if the group has a wide spread of ability is to get those that can't quite get the tune to play drone notes for each phrase. Playing together is a buzz whatever level you are at, its a great way to hook people in and motivate them.
Tunes to teach :)
Tunes to teach
I have been asked to teach some folk music to very young/beginner, fiddle/string players. I know the group and there are only two players who have come across folk music before. I was wondering what tune would be an easy one for me to teach and for them to learn. I'd rather not use dots but if there are dots on here so I have them for emergencies that would be great. I'd be grateful of any help established teachers on here could give me.
# Posted on January 31st 2012 by mandolinist
Re: Tunes to teach
How young?
# Posted on January 31st 2012 by John Culhane
Re: Tunes to teach
About 11-15, but a very low ability group.
# Posted on January 31st 2012 by mandolinist
Re: Tunes to teach
There may be some opposed to teaching the most 'hackneyed' tunes to beginners, as it narrows the gene pool, so to speak, and sidelines the lesser known - and often more interesting - tunes. On the other hand, it gives them a fighting chance of being able to join most sessions.
I have done a little teaching of mandolin and whistle and I try to teach a mixture of the well known and the lesser-known. I currently have just one mandolin pupil, who is no longer a beginner and is well able to handle more advanced tunes. But the first few tunes I taught were:
Sonny's Mazurka http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/5476/
Vincent Campbell's Mazurka http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1276 (although a slightly simpler version than the one posted here - perhaps one I made up myself, but closest to Hugh Gillespie's version, as posted in the comments by Trevor Jennings)
and
The Britches Full of Stitches http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1075 (but in A, not D, as posted here. See comments for A version)
Bill Sullivan's Polka http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/481
The Humours of Glendart http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/45
Saddle the Pony http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/307
Rolling in the Ryegrass http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/87
These are all tunes which do not depend on ornamentation to sound right, but have plenty of space to introduce ornamentation and variation as the pupils.
advance.
I am probably stating the obvious here: remember that speed is not important but *rhythm is*. Try and instil in them a feel for the different rhythms right from the outset. Use dots as an aide-memoire (perhaps hand them out at the *end* of the class, if requested), but *teach* the tunes solely by ear. Try to break tunes down into 'meaningful' phrases, rather than into bars (which are purely arithmetic divisions).
Just a few ideas there, which some might disagree with.
Best of luck.
# Posted on January 31st 2012 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Tunes to teach
Mairi's Wedding is often used as a first fiddle tune round here.
# Posted on January 31st 2012 by Jack Campin
Re: Tunes to teach
Mandolinist - when you say 'very low ability', do you mean special needs or just absolute beginnners?
# Posted on January 31st 2012 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Tunes to teach
For very young folks, Pop Goes the Weasel is a good tune for learning. Many (most?) know it in their heads already. 11-15 is probably too old, though. In addition to the tunes suggested above, Tripping Up the Stairsis good. Good luck to you.
# Posted on February 1st 2012 by John Culhane
Re: Tunes to teach
Meant to post the link to the jig:
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/111
# Posted on February 1st 2012 by John Culhane
Re: Tunes to teach
You should check out this man's site although there's a lot of Scottish and other tunes here too.
Many of the settings are very simple and suitable for beginners and he offers various formats.
http://www.nigelgatherer.com/
He's a nice guy and a member here and I'm sure he would be happy to liase with too if required.
# Posted on February 1st 2012 by Johnny Jay
Re: Tunes to teach
I have taught Terry Teahan's and Autumn Child - both slow reels to beginners in this age group with reasonable results.
One thing that is good to do if the group has a wide spread of ability is to get those that can't quite get the tune to play drone notes for each phrase. Playing together is a buzz whatever level you are at, its a great way to hook people in and motivate them.
# Posted on February 2nd 2012 by Rocky Nook
Re: Tunes to teach
I like to teach beginners John Ryan's Polka and Amazing Grace.
# Posted on February 5th 2012 by paulinefiddle