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Maine Fiddle Camp is a family music camp in central Maine. The camp takes place in June and August, and also offers online programming throughout the year. Our instructors emphasize learning tunes the traditional way—by ear. Campers of all levels are welcome—from skilled players to people who have never played before.
Note About “Real” Camp This Year
Things are changing so fast on the Covid front (local, state and national mandates) so it is difficult to predict what the situation will be this summer, BUT there is a possibility that we will have a “live in-person” Camp in August. This would be sort of a “welcome back” party to both campers and staff. BUT, once again, it will be one week only, Aug 8-14. Mark your calendar and cross your fingers!
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Maestro Bistro – May 15, 2021
Peter Siegel – Basic Fingerstyle Guitar
Peter Siegel will be teaching basic fingerstyle guitar technique in the Piedmont and Delta Blues styles. This can be used in backing up and playing lead on rags, other fiddle tunes and accompaniment of songs. We may enter the world of swing backup as well. Little to no experience necessary!
Mary Fraser – Appalachian Fiddle
Mary will be teaching an old time (Appalachian) tune on fiddle, any playing level is welcome. If there’s time after we learn the tune, Mary will cover some stylistic bowing tips and other bits and bobs to making those old-time tunes sound like the real deal. May include some samples of different styles within the genre and recommendations for listening. There will be time at the end of the workshop for questions regarding old time fiddle.
Frank Ferrel – Alternate Fiddle Tunings
There are lots of tunes that sound fuller and more resonant when played in alternate or cross tunings. We’re going to look at and learn about these tuning variations on the fiddle. We’ll cover the classic “high bass” tuning and its variants, AEAE, AEAC#; the variant low bass GDGD; and “Drop D”, including. ADAE, and low octave DDAE (as in Midnight on the Water). We’ll make a simple jig like “Cock of the North” sound like you’re playing the bagpipes.
Virtual Camp Highlights
Get a shirt!
Official V-MFC 2021 Shirts are available online!
Please note: all shirts are printed with white ink.
Latest News
- Film premiere: “Bonsoir Mes Amis / Goodnight My Friends” — A Film by Huey“Huey explores the changing relationship of two top folk musicians and captures a joyous facet of Maine life. From start to finish the film is a unique, sensitive and satisfying contribution to understanding our time and place.” (William D. Barry, Maine historian and writer). “Bonsoir Mes Amis” features cameo appearances by MFC’ers MFC Ellen and […]
- Maine Country Dance Fiddle Workshop, Feb 13, 2021
A note from Greg Boardman: We would just like to tell you about the upcoming Maine Country Dance Fiddle Workshop this February 13, 2021. We are still negotiating for a hall in which to invite the first five registrants of each group, advanced, intermediate and beginner, to do the live portion of the workshop (wearing […] - VIRTUAL MAINE FIDDLE CAMP February 19-21 2021
An online traditional music camp for all ages and abilities!!! “Twice the program at half the price”. We laugh but it’s really not a joke.Read on! What is MFC? Why is it different?I am often asked “why is Maine Fiddle Camp different?” I don’t normally answer that question here on the MFC newsletter because […]
Events
May 14th – Maestro Bistro Plus
June 18th-20th – Virtual Maine Fiddle Camp #3
August 8th-13th – Tentative date for in-person MFC (depending on Covid situation.)
Can you help us find past camp videos?
We are looking for videos from “real” MFC.
Some of you may have video of past variety shows, dances, etc.
Would you be willing to share it with us?
You can upload videos on this page. Please contact us if you have questions or leads!