Glengormley School
of Traditional Music
Beginner Fiddle Classes
Alex Walsh is an engaging and patient teacher with knowledge of fiddle playing that is second to none.
With her warm, fun nature and intuitive planning she has helped our beginner students feel encouraged, at ease and confident when learning.
Alex has earned a Grade 8 in Fiddle with distinction and is a multi-instrumentalist.
She has been a teaching ambassador for GSOTM for several years by providing lessons in Edmund Rice College and with Belfast Tradfest and their Whistle and Sing courses.
When GSOTM was awarded the Gradam Ceoil Award for outstanding contribution to Traditional Music, Alex led a performance with other GSOTM members on TG4, broadcast live from the Waterfront Hall.
Alex has performed at many well-known venues throughout Belfast and beyond, such as The Deer’s Head, The Black Box and Maddens as well as larger venues – Belfast City Hall, The Ulster Hall and The Waterfront. She also played as part of the Creative Connections Festival in Sitges, Spain.
Group A
Beginner fiddle week one notes:
Tuning: Possible help with tuning workshop on Saturday 3rd October - more details to follow.
Remembering the notes, try these simple scales on each string:
E f # g # a
A b c# d
D E F# G
G A B C
Please see below for a reminder of the notes on your fiddle and our first tune.
The Keel Row (“Fling” – although this tune is sometimes known as a strathspey or a highland too).
I first heard this very catchy little tune when I lived in Northumberland many years ago. In Northumberland they called it a fling. A very popular version is commonly played in Donegal, I believe in Donegal it is known as a highland. It is also often heard in different keys – we will come to ‘keys’ later this year.
You can use this tune to work on developing a great rhythm.
