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Instructor:   Jarred Albright


Instructor:   Jarred Albright

Course Description:

Level: 3 – 4  (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)

In this class, we will break down and analyze a couple of popular fiddle tunes and find new and exciting things to do with them!

We’ll delve into feel, theory, harmony, accompaniment, and by the end of the camp a couple new arrangements will have been born!

A basic theoretical knowledge of notes on the fiddle neck in first position would be an asset, but not a requisite.

Jarred Albright

Jarred Albright has played the violin since he was seven years old and music has been his focus ever since. He trained classically throughout his youth but quickly fell in love with the fiddle style and joined the Calgary Fiddlers Association, of which he was a member for 11 years. He devoured Celtic, folk, old-tyme, and bluegrass styles before entering post-secondary to pursue jazz performance there.

Since then he has endeavoured to teach himself to sing and play mandolin, guitar, banjo and ukulele, and spent 5 years as the Calgary Fiddlers' full time mandolinist. In 2012 he and Ben Plotnick were awarded the 10k20 grant from Rawlco radio and their bluegrass duo recorded the self-titled CD Rye & Fairy Tales, to much acclaim. He has spent most of his time since then in Toronto but as of 2016, he is happy to call himself an Albertan again.

Music has taken him around the world including the United States, South Korea, Scotland, England, and Ireland. Having recently returned from Toronto to his hometown of Calgary, these days Jarred keeps busy performing with many diverse local acts.

A highly in demand freelance player in Alberta, The Western Swing Project, The Steve Fisher Band, Allan and Arnell, The Calgary Fiddlers, The June Bugs, and Bow Folk are a few of the names with whom he's shared a stage just this summer.

Jarred happily spends his days practicing, recording, performing and sharing his love of music with his many students.

Playing Experience Levels

These guidelines aim to ensure that all camp participants have an enjoyable experience. They represent what your playing capability should be before you take the class (prerequisites).

Classes are generally designed to pace themselves to match the participants' abilities. Level 1 classes aim to proceed at the pace of the slower students in the class. Level 2 and 3 classes aim to move at the pace of the majority of students in the class. Level 4 classes are designed to push the capabilities of all students and will target the pace of the more capable students  Class descriptions that show a range (Levels 2-3) means the material presented is broadly applicable across that range.

LEVEL 1: You are new or relatively new to your instrument. You may be able to play basic chords or scales slowly. You want to learn the basics of the instrument. You have very little experience playing with others.

LEVEL 2: You are competent with basic chords and/or basic scales. You can keep rhythm and/or play basic melodies and/or sing and play at the same time if the song is familiar. You generally need the chords or melody to be written out in order to play along. You have some experience playing with others.

LEVEL 3: You are reasonably comfortable with most chords, basic major and minor scales, and can play at an appropriate tempo for songs. You are aware of time signatures, song keys, and know that there are chords called 6th, 7th, 11th, etc even if you can’t play them all. You are comfortable maintaining good rhythm and are willing to taking breaks while jamming with others, even if the breaks don't always turn out the way you planned. You may be hoping to take your playing up to the next level of performing with a group or band (beyond jamming) and you want to further improve your technique and speed.

LEVEL 4: You are skilled on your instrument and have a good understanding of musical concepts including scales, arrangements, harmonies and some improvisation. You play lead and back-up with a steady rhythm and can play skillfully with others. You know there is life further up the neck on your instrument and have some capability in that world. You have performing experience, can hold a tune, and can harmonize.