Mastery 4:
The Seasoned Fiddler
Fiddle School Session 4 Certification Program
January - December 2024
Application Deadline for Early Bird Pricing:
Friday, October 13 at 4 PM MT
Hone Your Technique
Technique
Musicality
Rhythm & Groove
Nerve Management
Learn & Play Tunes
10 Sequential
Fiddle Tunes
Perform
Video Posts
Masterclasses
Tune-Ups
Jam Sessions
Join a
Community
Peer Support
Practice Rooms
Coffeehouses
Circle Forum
"I'm a better player and I'm really understanding shifting and vibrato better."
-Louise Terpstra
About Mastery 4
•Are you an advanced fiddler ready to gain greater command and ease on your instrument
(and learn some fancy tricks in the process)?
• Do you want to get even more out of your Fiddle School membership?
• 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 4 is designed to help you take your fiddling to new heights
with tricks that every fiddler wants to know,
including plucking, hokum bowing,
and double stops.
Mastery 4 goes hand in hand with Fiddle School's Session 4: The Seasoned Fiddler. We'll cover one advanced Session 4 tune each month so you can nail every tune as you explore the next level of challenge and reward on your fiddle.
We'll coach you, help you track your progress, and answer your questions.
NEW IN MASTERY 4 2024!
• A CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM, BUILT FOR YOU!
• MORE PERFORMANCE & COACHING
• SOLIDIFY & BUILD YOUR REPERTOIRE
• SIMPLIFIED ONLINE PORTAL
• NEW SCHEDULE: A DEDICATED PERFORMANCE MASTERCLASS ON WEEK 3
• CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT: JAMMING SKILLS
Why Our Students
Love Mastery
I cannot believe the progress I'm making
and it's driving me to play my fiddle more and more… I'm getting closer to being able to play the way I'd want to.
You must [join Mastery].
It's the best way to improve.
-Judd P.
The Mastery program holds me accountable
for learning the tunes and the skills in Katie’s
brilliant step-by-step pedagogy,
and does so in a fun way
that encourages relationships
with other students.
- Ingrid G.
“[I am] playing much more complex tunes, at much greater tempos, with ever-increasing confidence in my ability to comfortably do so. [Mastery] has made me a more disciplined learner. I am confident that would not have occurred had I not been a Mastery member.”
-Bob D.
Application Deadline for Early Bird Pricing:
Friday, October 13 at 4 PM MT
What You'll Get From Mastery 4
techniques & topics
Learn Technique from National Fiddle Champions:
Lesson 30: String Crossings
Lesson 31: Swing Improvisation - Part I
Lesson 32: Swing Improvisation - Part II
Lesson 33 : Double Stops
Lesson 34: Plucking
Lesson 35: Hokum Bowing
learn & perform
• Skill Building with Katie
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.
• Tune Workout with Celeste
Workouts will focus on the checkpoints and challenging areas of upcoming tunes. Listening examples will help you plan ahead as you internalize the tune and prepare for the tricky spots.
***NEW - Performance Masterclass
The third week of each month is dedicated to individual performances followed by coaching by Katie and Celeste, who will rotate monthly.
***NEW - Three Certification Performances (instead of one)
Hone your performance skills with three Certification Performances (2-3 tunes) throughout the year!
• Video Showcase
Twice per year, post a video showcase of a tune on our Circle Community, then receive Katie's comprehensive personal video feedback.
tunes
Learn 8 Advanced, Sequential Fiddle Tunes:
• Ostinelli's Reel
• Dill Pickle Rag
• Boot Heel Drag
• Jobob Rag
• Sopris Waltz
• Jesse Polka
• Cripple Creek
• Back Up & Push
community & accountability
Jam Sessions & Coffeehouses
We'll host two virtual jams per year, included with your Mastery registration. Enjoy jamming on Fiddle School tunes with peers from all Mastery classes! We'll also host two Coffeehouses per year. Enjoy sharing your favorite tune(s) in a relaxed setting.
Practice Rooms
We'll open a monthly Zoom practice room for Mastery students of all levels to practice independently in a focused group environment.
Mastery Community Board
Enjoy communicating with your fellow Mastery peers through our private Mastery-only 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 4
Learn the cool fiddle tricks: plucking, hokum bowing, &
3rd position double stops!
Monthly & Quarterly Performances to help you pause and go deep
Deepen your understanding of vibrato and shifting
Build jamming skills and incorporate fiddle tune language
build memorization skills via understanding tunes and dexterity
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 4
Weekly Schedule
Thursdays • 6 PM MT
week 1
SKILL BUILDING CLASS
Katie Glassman
-
In-depth teaching on 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 – just like it is now.
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.
Application Deadline for Early Bird Pricing:
Friday, October 13 at 4 PM MT
Class Schedule
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***
In addition to your bi monthly performances, enjoy getting feedback at multiple checkpoints throughout the year by playing 3 Certification Performances! You get to play two performances (of 2-3 tunes) during the year, and our last class of the year is your Final Certification Performance.
MAY: Certification Performance #1 includes 2-3 tunes from Jan - April
SEP: CertificationPerformance #2 includes 2-3 tunes from Jan -Aug
DEC: Certification Performance #3 includes 2-3 tunes from the year
We ask that you perform your tunes with guitar backup tracks, without sheet music (memorized). After demonstrating proficiency with Session 4 skills, you will receive a personalized and signed Fiddle School Mastery 4 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.)