Scholarship Report: Jasper’s Week at Maine Fiddle Camp
Jasper's tent and instruments
As I drove into Maine Fiddle Camp, I was filled with new kid nerves. I had never done anything like this before and I didn't know a single person there. For those who have never attended, allow me to set the scene: a campground by a lake, a handful of cabins named after New England states and Canadian provinces, campers' personal tents tucked into the trees, fiddle music in the air from morning until well after midnight. There was incredible food, even better coffee, swimming to beat the heat wave, and a summer camp atmosphere filled with traditions both serious and very, very silly.
I joined the guitar workshops and learned a good number of techniques, but what I found most impactful about the week was being surrounded by musicians of all skill levels, from those who had never picked up their instrument before to professionals who are among the best in the world. On the first day I stumbled across an impromptu jam and joined in on the bodhrán, and these musicians were playing some of the most interesting tunes I'd ever heard at a blistering speed. Keeping up with them and contributing even a little bit to such inspiring music assuaged my nerves and fueled my burning desire to form a band at home -- which I'm still eager to do, so if you're a melody player in search of backup, come find me at our next meeting.
My goals going into the guitar workshop were to learn more about playing melody, chord voicings up the neck, and how to choose chords on the fly in a jam or session context. I made progress on all of those goals and also learned some new dampening and chucking techniques using both hands.
Two small things that I learned should have been obvious, but as a self-taught musician who usually plays alone, they had never occurred to me. One: if you want to play melody, learn scales. They make it a thousand times easier. Two: tapping your foot is not, primarily, to help you keep time yourself. The purpose is to communicate your rhythm to everyone else. I have never mastered tapping my foot and usually find that it gets in the way of my rhythm, but I'm practicing it now because it makes a big difference in staying in sync with others.
After the final workshop, I asked one of the instructors if he had any tips on playing Scottish music specifically. He broke into an upbeat strathspey rhythm with a whole lot of jump in it and said, "Fire."
That's what I'm taking with me from Maine Fiddle Camp. Fire in my playing and fire in my overall musical life. I could not have afforded to go to camp without the help of the New Hampshire Scottish Music Club scholarship, and I'm very grateful for that support. I hope I can bring this fire back to all of you in our sessions and concerts this year.
