Folk Etudes
Engaging Violin Technique Through Folk Heritage
Day 1 Wednesday 18|02
Introduction to folk music for non-folkies
Day 4 Saturday 21|02
Workshop 1 Folk Etudes – Engaging Violin Technique Through Folk Heritage
The etudes we often use in music schools are at least 150 years old. When these studies were first written, teachers would quickly create an etude to help a specific student with a particular technical problem. These etudes were useful at the time, but some of them don’t have much musical value and can feel boring or old-fashioned to today’s students. This makes it hard to motivate them to practice.
Folk tunes are different. They are fun, full of musical character, and easy for children to enjoy. Students are excited to learn them and love performing them for others. Once learned, these tunes are memorable and can be played at many kinds of events. When students learn these tunes in a group, they are encouraged by seeing their classmates succeed with the same challenges, making the learning process feel more achievable and rewarding.
To teach a new technical skill, it’s important to go beyond just playing an etude. Teachers should explain the technical goal clearly and give small exercises to help students practice the skill separately. When students understand what they are working on, adding music—like a folk tune—helps them to internalise new skills.
In this workshop, we’ll share examples of folk tunes that can be used to teach specific technical skills on the violin. We’ll also encourage you to find and use your own favourite tunes. These creative and musical alternatives to traditional etudes can bring new energy and joy to your teaching.
In the session we will learn approximately one tune for one technical issue per hour. Our repertoire is very big, so don’t hesitate to contact us for sharing more content. We are enhancing the functionality of our database, www.fiddle-gateway.eu, designed to provide better guidance on recommended repertoire for specific technical skills.Join the database for free!
Come and learn how to make violin practice more inspiring for your students or yourself!
Workshop 2 Introduction to folk music for non-folkies
Dive into the vibrant world of folk violin styles with Bojan and Barja, recognised educators with years of experience introducing folk music to players of all levels. Rooted in the dynamic Godalkanje.org
approach, they have led engaging workshops across European music schools and connected violin teachers in the ESTA folk working group and fiddle-gateway.eu project at European level.
This workshop is perfect for:
- Violion players with limited folk music experience
- Amateur musicians seeking to explore new styles
- Classical musicians curious about folk traditions
- Teachers looking for proven “teaching hits” to inspire their students
The required technical level is accessible, making this an inclusive and rewarding experience for everyone. Join us to learn, connect, and enjoy!
For fiddle players with intermediate instrument skills.
Workshops can be booked per day. You’re welcome to join multiple sessions with the same teacher, but it’s not required. Each day is independent, so you can mix and match freely.
10:00 – 12:30 & 14:00 – 17:00
Barja Drnovšek
Barja Drnovšek is a Slovenian fiddle player raised in classical music, intrigued by folk music later on.
She graduated at the Carinthian State Conservatorium with Professor Helfried Fister and obtained her Master’s degree from the Academy of Music in Ljubljana with Professor Gorjan Košuta. While pursuing her studies, she found folk music intriguing, which led her to attend various workshops and folk camps. In addition to classical orchestras, she has been increasingly engaged in a number of ensembles that play folk music ( Terrafolk, Symbolic Orchestra, Grad gori!, a duet with Bojan Cvetrežnik, Kate in the Kettle).
Soon, however, this activity became a profession and she quit her job at a public school and became a freelance musician and a music teacher. She teaches violin and other instruments and holds workshops as part of the educational programs of the ONE Music Society. Together with Bojan Cvetrežnik she’s the motor behind Godalkanje, an educational platform for traditional violin and improvised music where students learn to play violin in a variety of styles at a high level. In addition, she takes part in theater and puppet performances and works as a session musician recording music for films, cartoons and pop musicians.
photo © Shalan Alhamwy
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Bojan Cvetrežnik, who was originally scheduled to teach the workshops together with Barja Drnovšek, will not be able to attend. The workshops will therefore be led by Barja alone.
