Participants in this class will learn techniques to get familiar with playing old-time fiddle. From holding the fiddle to bow grips and getting comfortable with your instrument to intonation on the left hand and bowing to get a better tone. And we’ll be putting the two together to form a pleasant sound.
Along with some basic melodies, students will learn basic scales and some techniques used exclusively in old-time fiddling that might not be used in classical or other styles, such as rhythm patterns, slurs and slides.
Instructor Bio
Travis Stuart began playing the banjo as a young teen in Haywood County, North Carolina. A respected banjo player and multi-instrumentalist known for his rich style and accompaniment, Travis has toured throughout the US and several foreign countries with the Stuart Brothers and as a side man with other bluegrass and old-time bands. He learned from old-time masters like the Smathers family, Oscar “Red” Wilson, Snuffy Jenkins, Byard Ray, and Tommy Hunter.
Along with teaching music camps in the US and abroad, Travis currently teaches in the old-time music program at Warren Wilson College and taught at ETSU for a several years . In 2019 he received the South Arts Master fellowship award. Close to home Travis is a founder and Artistic Director at the Haywood County JAM program..
He is on a number of recordings documentaries and is especially known for the banjo fiddle duets with his late brother Trevor, The Stuart Brothers. Travis lives in the woods of Haywood County with his family, his dog and cat, and loves many styles of music.