LESSON: Fills & Ornaments [Beginning-Intermediate]
This project is made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
FILLS, FRILLS & ORNAMENTATION LESSON OVERVIEW
Welcome
Intro & Watch
Kesh Jig
Hot Spots
Rhythmic Fills
Drones
Melodic Fills
Slides
Cuts
Rolls
Beyond the Hot Spots
Field Research
1.WELCOME
Traditional Fiddler Gretchen Koehler
Welcome to your self-guided tour of fills & ornamentation!
This series of lessons is designed for self-motivated fiddlers. In the following mini-masterclasses, I will guide you through “fills” and “ornamentation” using a popular jig as our base tune. The basic to intermediate (and some advanced) techniques can be transferred to other tunes.
Each lesson provides an explanation and introduces a core skill that will serve as a building block for the next. I’m offering ideas… how much you practice, explore, drill, and shape your musical choices is up to you. Lastly, since fiddling is an aural tradition, I’ve chosen to present most of the lessons in audio form, while also providing a few videos and many sheet music examples to support note readers.
Have fun!
~Gretchen
2. INTRO & WATCH
This section contains:
AUDIO: Gretchen explains how to use her lessons most effectively.
VIDEO: Gather ideas before you begin.
3. Kesh Jig
This section contains:
AUDIO: Kesh Jig (basic) played at dance tempo for listening, w/ learning tips
AUDIO: Kesh Jig (basic) played at a learning tempo, w/ bowing suggestions
4. HOT SPOTS
This section contains:
AUDIO: Hot spots explained as a starting point for embellishments
AUDIO: Hot spot demonstration
5. RHYTHMIC FILLS
This section contains:
AUDIO: Rhythmic fills explained
AUDIO: “Even” fill demonstration
AUDIO: “Dotted” fill demonstration
AUDIO: Play-Along featuring rhythmic fills
If the melody note is played on the A string, a drone on the E string is considered treble, right, or upper, a drone on the D string is bass, left or lower.
6. DRONES
This section contains:
AUDIO: Drones explained
AUDIO: Drone exercise
AUDIO: “Punch” drones demonstrated
AUDIO: Drones w/fills demonstrated
AUDIO: Play-Along featuring drones
7. MELODIC FILLS
In this section:
AUDIO: Melodic fills explained (upper note)
AUDIO: Two guided play-alongs featuring even/dotted fills.
AUDIO: Fill options explained (upper vs. lower)
AUDIO: Fills demonstrated featuring upper & lower options
8. SLIDES
In this section:
AUDIO: Basic slides explained
AUDIO: Intermediate slides explained
AUDIO: Play-along featuring fills, drones, and slides.
9. CUTS
For Gretchen’s video tune bank, click #thefiddlerpov
In this section:
AUDIO: Cuts & Rolls explained
AUDIO: Cut/Roll prep exercise
AUDIO: Cut Drill #1
AUDIO: Cut Drill #2
AUDIO: Cut Drill #3
AUDIO: Cut placement
AUDIO: Cut Drill #4 (alternate fingering)
AUDIO: Cut demonstration
10. ROLLS
In this section:
AUDIO: Rolls explained
AUDIO: Roll Drill #1
AUDIO: Alternate fingering explained
AUDIO: Roll Drill #2
AUDIO: Roll demonstration
11. BEYOND THE HOT SPOTS
In this section:
AUDIO: Identifying patterns
AUDIO: Kesh Jig featuring “the works,”plus additional ideas.
12. FIELD RESEARCH
Fiddler friends!
I hope this series has given you some ideas!! I was lucky enough to gather at rural fiddle contest/festivals in the Northeastern US and jam in the fields behind the stages. Today, the internet brings you to every corner of the fiddling planet! Wow! I am glad technology was able to bring you here. I encourage you to explore, explore, explore, listen, listen, listen, watch, watch, watch, play, play, play!!
Enjoy!
~Gretchen
Gretchen Koehler jamming at the Berkshire Bluegrass Festival. [Shirley Koehler photo]