Mastery 1: Fiddle Foundations
Fiddle School Session 1 Certification Program
January - December 2024
Establish Your Technique
Technique
Musicality
Rhythm & Groove
Nerve Management
Learn & Play Tunes
20 Sequential Fiddle Tunes
Perform
Video Posts
Masterclasses
Tune-Ups
Jam Sessions
Join a
Community
Peer Support
Practice Rooms
Coffeehouses
Online Community Board
"My overall skill has improved significantly."
-Cynthia B.
About Mastery 1
• Have you been fiddling for 5 years or less?
• Do you want to improve your sound on the tunes you already know?
• Have you already explored Fiddle School Session 1 and want to go deeper?
• Are you stuck on a plateau? Not sure what to work on?
• Are you looking to find or expand your musical community?
• Do you flourish with accountability?
Mastery 1 is designed to help you establish
strong technique, good bowing style,
and a repertoire of 20 fiddle tunes
with support every step of the way.
Mastery 1 goes hand in hand with Fiddle School's Session 1: Texas Fiddle Foundations.
We'll begin with two lessons + variations. From there, we'll cover one Session 1 lesson each month, solidifying every fiddle foundation along the way. We'll coach you, help you track your progress, and answer your questions.
NEW IN MASTERY 1 2024!
• MORE PERFORMANCE & COACHING OPPORTUNITIES
• SOLIDIFY YOUR FIDDLE FOUNDATIONS
• BRAND NEW ONLINE PORTAL FOR STUDENTS
• BRAND NEW ONLINE PORTAL FOR STUDENTS
• NEW SCHEDULE WITH A DEDICATION PERFORMANCE MASTERCLASS WEEK 3
• CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT: MONTHLY JAMMING SKILLS WORKOUT
Why Our Students Love Mastery
Sign up for this. Mastery helps keep you motivated, working toward your goals, and inspired to prepare for performances in front of others. You'll fine tune your technique. It's nice to be part of a group of fellow fiddlers to support and encourage each other to keep it up.
-Linnea K.
"My mechanical skills have improved.
You can become a more creative player with Mastery under your belt.”
-Jerry H.
“[Mastery 1] gave me purpose and confidence that I could continue to grow as a musician."
-Lisa H.
"The Mastery program holds me accountable for learning the tunes and skills in Katie’s brilliant step-by-step pedagogy, and does so in a fun way that encourages relationships with other students."
-Ingrid G.
Watch this video to hear Lisa talk more about her experience!
techniques & topics
Learn Technique from National Fiddle Champions:
Lesson 1 : Left Arm Essentials
Lesson 2: Right Arm Essentials
Lesson 3: Rhythm & Timing
Lesson 4: Low 2s & Slurs
Lesson 5: Fiddle Tune Variations
Lesson 6: Tone
Lesson 7: Intonation
Lesson 8: Musicianship
Lesson 9: The Bow Arm
Lesson 10: Relax & Focus
learn & perform
• Katie's Skill Building Class
Get a focused workout on the tune-based technique of the month plus a 15 minute jamming skills application that goes with the tune of the month
• Celeste's Tune Workout
Internalize the tunes of the month, work out the trouble spots, develop the skills in each tune, and get feedback on your rendition.
***NEW - Performance Masterclass
On the third week of each month, enjoy performing your tunes for your teachers and colleagues.
***NEW - Three Certification Performances (instead of one) Hone your performance skills with three Certification Performances throughout the year!
• Video Showcase
Twice per year, you'll still post a video showcase of a tune on our community board, then receive Katie's comprehensive personal video feedback.
tunes
Learn 20 Sequential Fiddle Tunes:
Boil the Cabbage • Oh! Susanna
Liza Jane • I Don't Love Nobody
Cotton-Eyed Joe • Goodbye Liza Jane
Girl I Left Behind Me • Peek-A-Boo Waltz
Arkansas Traveler • Red River Valley
8th of January • Tennessee Waltz
Red Wing • Bonaparte's Retreat
Soldier's Joy • Corrina, Corrina
Golden Slippers • Marie
Tears on My Pillow • Liberty
community & accountability
Jam Sessions & Coffeehouses
We will host two virtual jams per year, included with your Mastery registration. Enjoy jamming on Fiddle School tunes with peers from all Mastery classes! We also host two Coffeehouses per year. Enjoy sharing your favorite tune(s) in a relaxed, virtual performance setting.
Practice Rooms
We'll open a monthly Zoom practice room for Mastery students of all levels to practice independently in a focused collective environment.
Mastery Community Board
Enjoy communicating with your fellow Mastery peers through our private Mastery community board on Circle.
Plus, enjoy access to Fiddle School community perks!
By joining Mastery and keeping your Fiddle School membership current, you get access to weekly Office Hours and our whole vibrant fiddle community.
Inside a year in Mastery 1
BUILD YOUR FIDDLE FOUNDATIONS
LEVEL UP THROUGH BUILDING REPERTOIRE
SOLIDIFY YOUR BOW HOLD, BOW ARM, AND DEVELOP YOUR BOWING!
GAIN DEXTERITY AS YOU BUILD SOLID INTONATION
MONTHLY & QUARTERLY PERFORMANCES TO HELP YOU PAUSE AND SOLIDIFY
MONTHS 1-4
LEarn & master
-
Months 1-3:
Learn tunes/refine techniques
Monthly performances
Month 4:
Mastery Certification Performance #1 (2-3 tunes)
Refine and review your tunes
Jam Session (All Mastery)
MONTHS 5-8
REINFORCE & MASTER
-
Months 5-7:
Learn tunes/refine techniques
Monthly performances
Coffeehouse (All Mastery)
Video showcase #1 & Feedback
Month 8:
Mastery Certification Performance #2 (2-3 tunes)
MONTHS 9-12
LEVEL UP, MASTER & GRADUATE!
-
Months 9-11:
Learn tunes/refine techniques
Monthly performances
Coffeehouse & Jam Session
Video showcase #2 & Feedback
Month 12:
Mastery Certification Performance #3 (2-3 tunes)
Inside a Month in Mastery 1
Weekly Schedule
Tuesdays • 6 PM MT
week 1
SKILL BUILDING CLASS
Katie Glassman
-
the Lesson of the month. This skill-building class is your opportunity to improve your playing on the spot!
WEEK 2
TUNE WORKOUT
Celeste Johnson
-
Work out on the "checkpoints" of each tune and measure your progress. Fiddle School's sequential tunes method gives a new technique each month.
WEEK 3
PERFORMANCE MASTERCLASS
Katie or Celeste
(Rotates Monthly)
-
A class dedicated to performances and deeper coaching.
Five students get to perform each month.
WEEK 4
PRACTICE ROOM
Katie & Celeste
(OPTIONAL)
-
A focused monthly practice session for all fiddlers to practice independently.
*Meets Monday at 5 PM MT.
Jams and Coffeehouses will take this slot when scheduled.
Worried that you'll have to miss some classes?
Don't worry - you'll never miss a thing.
While we want to see you at as many classes as possible, there will always be a video replay for you to watch later.
Class Schedule/Structure
Classes begin in January 2024 and meet on Tuesdays at 6 PM MT (and one Monday per month at 5 PM MT).
• 1st Tuesdays - Skill Building Class with Katie Glassman
• 2nd Tuesdays - Fiddle Tune Study & Workout with Celeste Johnson
• 3rd Tuesdays - Performance Masterclass with Katie or Celeste (Rotates monthly)
• 4th Mondays - Practice Room at 5 PM MT (Virtual Jam Sessions and Coffeehouses will take this slot when scheduled)
Mastery Video Posts
Twice a year, you get to post a video of yourself playing one fiddle tune in the Fiddle School Private Online Community. This is Katie's favorite way to coach you -- she'll then post an in-depth video response for each student with her feedback. We encourage every student to watch the other performances videos, comment on each other's posts, and take advantage of the amount of instruction in Katie's feedback videos.
Jam Sessions
Twice a year, all Mastery students will be invited to attend a Zoom jam session. It's a great opportunity to maintain your repertoire, play for fun, and see how well you know your tunes. Extra bonus points if you set up a live jam session in your area.
Coffeehouse
Mastery fiddlers are invited to participate in two Coffeehouses per year. This is a casual (online) performance environment for you to share a tune of your choice. Plus, it's a great opportunity to get to know one another!
***NEW***
Enjoy getting feedback at multiple checkpoints throughout the year by playing THREE Certification Performances! You will play two performances during the year, and then our last class of the year will be your Final Certification Performance.
MAY: Certification Performance #1 includes two tunes from January - April.
SEP: Certification Performance #2 includes two tunes from January - August.
DEC: Certification Performance #3 includes three tunes from the year.
We ask that you perform your tunes with guitar backup tracks, without sheet music (memorized). After demonstrating proficiency with Session 1 skills, you will receive a personalized, signed Fiddle School Mastery 1 Certificate.
Pricing
Mastery gives you a full year of personalized support at less than half the cost of weekly private lessons. Pay for the year up front or take advantage of a monthly payment plan.
Early Bird Discount!
Opens September 18 to current students
& September 25 to accepted applicants
$1375/year
**Best Value: get two months free**
-or-
$125/monthly (Save $20/month)
Full Price
Effective october 16
$1625 / year (Save $115/year)
-or-
$145 / monthly
*If you enroll in Mastery, you will need to maintain an active Fiddle Annual membership in order to access the class materials. (This is not included in the price of Mastery.)