Welcome to the Pakachoag Fiddle Program
If you enjoy fiddle music and want to explore it further, Pakachoag is the place to be. We offer classes, jam sessions, online tune coaching, and performance opportunities.
Fiddling is fun!
Classes
We offer several classes to accommodate different ages and levels of experience. Classes meet every other week – 15 sessions per year.
In keeping with fiddling tradition, tunes are learned ‘by ear’. We become familiar with the melody by listening to it and then finding the notes on the violin. If you haven’t tried this method yet, it may be challenging at first – but the payoff is worth the effort. Once internalized, the music lives in your memory, not on a page, giving you instant access and allowing you to play with greater ease, expression, and fluidity.
If you haven’t tried this method yet, it may be challenging at first – but the payoff is worth the effort. Once internalized, the music lives in your memory, not on a page, giving you instant access and allowing you to play with greater ease, expression, and fluidity.
Fiddle 1
Fiddle One is not being offered this year. Check back next fall!
New to fiddle? This is the place to start. You will learn tunes of different styles and gain experience with learning by ear.
Level: Students playing at a level equivalent to the Minuets in Suzuki Book One through Suzuki Book Two will be comfortable in this class. Not familiar with the Suzuki books? Email amy@pakmusic.org and she will help assess your level.
When: Thursdays from 6:15-7:00
Instructor: Marilyn Butler
Pakachoag Fiddle Band
Students will learn tunes of various styles, including Scottish, Swedish, Blues, Old Time and add chords and harmonies to create exciting arrangements.
This group performs several times during the school year.
Level: Suzuki Books Three and Four. Students should be comfortable learning
by ear and have a repertoire of tunes.
When: Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30.
Instructor: Amy Matherly
Advanced Fiddle and Theory
High School students are invited to join us to explore fabulous fiddle tunes and
their favorite music from other genres. This class will focus on understanding
musical structure, exploring form, chord progressions, and harmonic relationships.
Students will use this knowledge to create arrangements of fiddle tunes and other
styles of music of interest to them.
Level: Suzuki Book Four and up, with experience learning by ear
When: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30
Instructor: Amy Matherly
Adult Fiddle
New this year, this class is for adults who enjoy fiddle music and would like to
join a group.
Level: Participants should have some playing experience. Contact
amy@pakmusic.org to find out if this class is for you. We will be offering
online tune tutoring for those who would like help between classes.
When: Thursdays 6:15-7:15
Instructor: Marilyn Butler
Friday Fiddlin'
In addition to our fiddle classes, we will have four large group gatherings. Join us for these fun evenings of fiddle music beginning at 7:00 in Vinton Hall at All Saints Church. Friday Fiddlin’ is open to Pakachoag students and anyone interested in finding out more about our fiddle program.
The evening will include performances by Amy & Marilyn’s Rosewood Duo and student groups, a jam session, and refreshments. How does the jam session work? Participants take turns starting a tune, and those who know it join in. If it isn’t one of ‘your tunes’, sit back and listen – the first step toward learning it.
Here is a list of tunes we have worked on that may be chosen.
Friday Fiddlin’ Dates:
- September 19th
- November 21st
- February 27th
- May 8th
Online Tune Tutoring
Need help with a tune? Sign up for a 30-minute Zoom session with Amy or Marilyn. This option is open to fiddle class and Friday Fiddlin’ participants.
Contact Amy@pakmusic.org for registration information.
Fiddle Program Faculty
Amy Matherly has been playing the violin for most of her life and teaching others to play since 1982. She became interested in Scottish fiddle music after hearing the unique and interesting interpretations of traditional tunes played by contemporary artists. Excited by the beauty and creative potential of this music, Amy has been playing, teaching, and arranging fiddle tunes of many different styles ever since. Amy joined the Pakachoag faculty in 2010 and founded the Pakachoag Fiddle Band shortly after. Her fiddle training includes listening to and taking classes with many contemporary greats: Alasdair Fraser, Hanneke Cassel, Laura Risk, Bruce Molsky, Daryl Anger, and Tracy Silverman, and is ongoing.
Full bio (Amy Matherly, Violin & Fiddle | Pakachoag Music School)
Marilyn Butler has been teaching violin for many years. She specializes in traditional Swedish folk fiddle music and the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle. She has taken numerous trips to Sweden to study with traditional fiddlers there. She was the music director for Nordic Fiddles and Feet from 2012-2019 and continues to serve on the faculty. Marilyn regularly performs at the New England Folk Festival and area dance events.
Full bio (Marilyn Butler, Violin | Pakachoag Music School)
Rosewood Duo began when Amy and Marilyn, long-time teaching colleagues and friends, began sharing favorite tunes. They enjoy playing and performing together and continue to develop their repertoire from various traditions.
Pakachoag Favorite Fiddle Tunes
Easy
Old Joe Clark
Mama Don’t Allow
Angelina Baker
Cluck Old Hen
Buntata’s Sgadan
Swallowtail Jig
Sandy Boys
Intermediate
Julie Ann Johnson
Zorro’s Mark
My Dear Sweetheart
Athol Highlanders
Dancing Bear
Tooth Fairy
Road to Lisdoonvarna
The Holling
Cooley’s Reel
Advanced
Master Andrew Grant
Maggie’s Pancakes
Tamlin
The Banshee
Skrap Olle
Troll in the Linen Machine
St. Kilda Wedding
Snug in a Blanket