CBDD Self Directed Course — Home

ENTER Self Directed Course

Cape Breton Deep-Dive (CBDD)

Focusing on the DunGreen Collection

  • This is the self-directed version of my CBDD course. All of the workshops and resources have been recorded, edited, and indexed, so you can:
    – dig into the abundance of resources whenever you are ready.
    – easily archive all of the resources and workshops.
    – have the entire course at your fingertips forever! (or until the digital age disintegrates into oblivion, whichever comes first...).

  • This course includes two 45-minute live private lessons (via Zoom or in-person). Lessons should be scheduled within two months of your start date. You can use these sessions to get one-on-one feedback on your progress, ask specific questions, or get a general fiddle lesson.

  • Course fee: $200 ($300 CAD) regular rate, $150 ($220 CAD) student rate. See below for Patreon subscriber discount. Sliding scale available.

  • Please email me if you would like to sign up, be notified about future courses, or have any questions.


ABOUT THE COURSE

The Cape Breton Deep-Dive (CBDD) course is for players with a keen interest in the Cape Breton fiddle style. The focus of this self-directed edition is on the elusive, idiomatic playing techniques of some of the iconic Cape Breton masters, as illustrated in the pages of the DunGreen Collection (DGC). Relevant excerpts from the DGC are available to participants, including some unreleased material that is currently available only through this class! I also share audio and video examples from CB Tradition Bearers, pointing out the various techniques and special qualities I hear in each one.

COURSE FEATURES

  • Three workshop videos, each around 100 minutes long. Each video has a detailed clickable index in the video notes; click on any line of the index to jump to that place in the video.

  • Tune resources for the 8 tunes covered in this course. Resources include:
    — Custom made sheet music.
    — Annotated scores for modality.
    — Transcriptions of each tune from the DunGreen Collection (including exclusive excerpts from the unreleased revised edition).
    — Tune-learning audio for each tune (phrase-by-phrase, and slowed down).
    — Cape Breton piano track to play along to.
    — Curated “Annotated Listening” of celebrated and iconic CB fiddlers (Tradition Bearers), to experience various elusive techniques ‘in the wild’.

  • Cape Breton techniques summary (2-page reference PDF).

  • Excerpts from the DunGreen Collection (DGC), including chapters on:
    — historical background
    — modes
    — performance practice
    — ornaments & terminology
    — symbol legend.

  • Recommended listening.

  • Two 45-minute private lessons (via Zoom* or in-person). At these sessions I can answer your questions and review anything from the workshops, and you are also welcome to bring your own repertoire to explore how to apply the course techniques in other tunes.

* Lessons will take place on the Zoom platform. Please check that your Zoom app is updated. If you’re not familiar with Zoom, you can read about recommended Zoom settings at the Zoom instructions & tips page.


COURSE FEE *

  • Regular rate: $200 USD ($300 CAD)

  • Student rate: $150 ($220 CAD)

  • Patreon Subscriber Discount:
    Take off double your monthly subscription. (Example: $15 Patreon subscribers receive a $30 discount.)

* Sliding scale available upon request.


See Payment page for payment options.

To sign up for the CBDD self-directed course, or if you have any questions, please email me.