Classes are available based upon level of interest by all students. Minimum numbers for class sizes will be required in order to offer each section listed
Band Everyone will be participating in a band class during the fourth block. This is a chance to work up a song with your peers to play during the camp concert. The class will be mostly students of your same age or level, and will include everything from stage presence, to singing and taking solos, to playing rhythm. Everyone is automatically put into a band, so you don’t need to worry about signing up for it; we will take care of putting you into a band.
Exploring Music Required for ages 7-8. This class is geared for younger students, but all are welcome. We will be exploring the different instruments used in bluegrass and folk music, and how to appreciate music through movement, singing, playing our instruments, jamming, and art.
Banjo Beginning Banjo No prerequisite. Students must be ten or older due to the length of the banjo. This class is an introduction to the “clawhammer” style of old time banjo playing. Students will learn a basic frailing pattern, a three finger roll pattern, chords, and an easy banjo tune or two.
Bass Beginning Bass No prerequisite. Students will learn how a bass fits into a jam or band. They will learn 4-5 chords and how to back up a guitar on some simple singing songs.
Intermediate and Advanced Bass Students should have been taking lessons in orchestra or otherwise for at least 6 months. Students will learn chords to back up a guitar, as well as scales, patterns for following new chords, new songs, and how to walk. Fiddle Beginning Fiddle No prerequisite. This class is geared towards students who have no or very little background in playing fiddle or violin. Students will learn how to correctly hold and bow the instrument as well as a few basic fiddle tunes.
Intermediate Fiddle Students should have been taking fiddle for one year or be in Suzuki Book 1. In this class, students will work on becoming stronger players and learn a few basic fiddle tunes in first position.
Advanced Fiddle Students should have been taking fiddle lesson for 2 years or be in Suzuki Book 3. Students will learn 2-3 fiddle tunes, some basics on how to improvise, different bowings, backup, and other techniques to bluegrass fiddling.
Twin Fiddle Students must have been playing fiddle/violin for at least 1 year. This class will teach students how to find and play harmony parts on the fiddle. Students will learn the lead and harmony part to a few different fiddle tunes.
Singing Vocals (Basic) No prerequisite. Students will learn fun singing songs to sing with a group, a guitar, or by yourself.
Teen Vocals Ages 11 and up. This class is geared for older students, who will work on harmonizing and the finer techniques of singing, while building their repertoire. You don’t need to have any singing experience to take this class.
Guitar Beginning Guitar No prerequisite. Students will learn 4-5 basic guitar chords, how to strum with a pick, and a few basic bluegrass and folk songs.
Intermediate and Advanced Guitar This class is geared towards students that can play several chords comfortably and the boom strum rhythm. Students will learn to flat pick, along with strengthening their chord and rhythm knowledge.
Mandolin Beginning Mandolin No prerequisite. This class will teach students the basics of how to hold and play the mandolin. They will learn a few easy mandolin chords, some bluegrass tunes, and mandolin rhythm.
Intermediate and Advanced Mandolin Students should be quite comfortable playing 2 finger chords. They should also be able to play a few basic tunes. Students will learn how to play closed finger chords, work on their rhythm, and lead on a few new bluegrass songs.
Songwriting For students 11 and up. This class will be an introduction to how to write songs, from instrumentation to lyrics.
Jamming Beginning Jamming No prerequisite. Students will learn how to jam with their peers by learning basic jamming tunes, the elements of a jam, and jamming etiquette.
Intermediate/Advanced Jamming Students must have been playing their instrument for at least one year, and feel fairly comfortable playing it. Students will learn how to jam with others – taking leads when appropriate, and keeping background rhythms for the group. They will also learn a selection of bluegrass standards typically played in a bluegrass jam.
email
FairbanksFolkFest@gmail.com
address
Fairbanks Folk Fest P.O. Box 84379 Fairbanks, AK 99708