Classes: Fiddle – Alasdair
Events: FORUM in the Funk Trunk – What’s Next??, Opening Night Concert, FORUM: Fiddle Camps and Climate Change
Alasdair Fraser is recognized throughout the world as one of the finest fiddle players Scotland has ever produced; [his] name is synonymous with the vibrant cultural renaissance which is transforming the Scottish musical scene.” —Scots Magazine
Renowned performer and master teacher of the rich fiddling tradition of Scotland, Alasdair inspires us to higher and deeper levels of self-expression within an embracing community of listeners, learners and like-minded folk. The variety and expressivity of Alasdair’s playing is evident in his numerous recordings—from intimate fiddle/guitar duets, to a more contemporary interpretation of tradition, to high energy original tunes with his Skyedance band. Highly acclaimed albums from his earlier period include :”Skyedance”, “The Road North”, “Dawn Dance”,”Legacy of the Scottish Fiddle, Vols. 1 and 2″ and “Return to Kintail”
Since 2003 Alasdair has featured in a duo with cellist Natalie Haas, restoring the wee fiddle and big fiddle partnership that flourished in eighteenth century Scotland to contemporary prominence at the cutting edge of tradition-rooted creativity. Their debut album, “Fire and Grace”, was voted Album of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004, adding to Alasdair’s North American Independent Record Distributors award for his Dawn Dance album in 1996. After twenty years of touring they have continued to thrill audiences internationally with their virtuosic playing, their near-telepathic understanding and the joyful spontaneity and sheer physical presence of their music. Their sixth and most recent album “SYZYGY” was released in January 2021
In Alasdair’s class, you will learn a variety of Scottish tune types and how to use bowings, ornaments and a rhythmic drive to make the tunes be “in the vernacular” and come alive.