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Intermediate/Advanced Fiddle
James Bryan

Bio:
James Bryan is considered by many to be the best traditional Southern fiddler playing today. Born in 1953 and raised in Boaz, Alabama, James began playing fiddle at the age of eleven. He was encouraged by his father Joe Bryan who played guitar, taught James his first tunes, and introduced him to area fiddlers such as Monk Daniels and members of the Johnson family.  James and his father played at local radio stations, dances, and fiddle conventions.  In 1970, at the age of sixteen, James won the title of Fiddle King at the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Athens Alabama.  Three years later in 1973 he won it again.

Students have flocked to James' workshops at fiddle camps across the country.  He has served as a master artist with the Alabama State Council on the Arts apprenticeship program and continues to perform at festivals, concerts, dances, fiddle camps, and workshops.  In recent years the "Festival of American Fiddle Tunes," the "Augusta Heritage Center" old-time week, the "Swannanoa Gathering" old-time week and the annual "Breaking up Winter" music retreat have featured James in their programs.

Well known for his unique Southern-style fiddling, his huge repertoire and his interpretation of traditional fiddle tunes he has recorded several critically acclaimed fiddle albums of his own in addition to his recordings in ensemble and band settings and has received the honor of membership in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.  James Bryan remains one of old-time music’s favorite fiddle players with a virtually unequaled feel for the grace and timing of old-time music.

You can hear a radio interview of James and his daughter Rachel conducted by the Alabama State Council of the Arts at:

Course Description:
This class will emphasize developing and perfecting good bowing techniques and intonation, while enlarging your repertoire from a wide variety of styles and geographic areas. We highly recommend the use of a recording device as James will teach by ear in the traditional manner. Choose this fiddle class if you have at least a moderate repertoire of tunes in the keys of A, D or G and play with ease at normal speed.

Extra supplies fee: none

Please bring: A fiddle in good working order and, if you have it, an electronic tuner.  We highly recommend the use of a recording device as James will teach by ear in the traditional manner.  Bring extra batteries, memory cards, blank tapes, etc for your recorder.

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