Music
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything."
From music therapy to private instrument lessons, explore new or favorite musical outlets at Bucks.
LIVE ONLINE FALL CLASSES
For more information or to register contact the registration office at 215-968-8409 or coned@bucks.edu
CELTIC FIDDLE "PLAY BY EAR" FOUNDATION COURSE INFO SESSION XSMCE-8824
Join us for a Live Online FREE information session.
Imagine if you could play Celtic Fiddle with increased confidence. Whether you are new to playing an instrument or you would like to change from playing sheet music to “playing by ear”, this course is for you. This 6-week self-paced course is a comprehensive introduction to teaching you how to play the violin by listening to the music. You will learn techniques to help you develop the skills of playing Celtic fiddle tunes by ear. You will progress your technique and take your next steps on your musical journey. This course suits both students who are new to playing an instrument, as well as established players.
COLIN MACLEOD Celtic Fiddle Guru – Principal Instructor
Colin MacLeod, principal instructor, and known as the Celtic Fiddle Guru, is originally from Scotland. Colin, a Celtic fiddle player with over 40 years experience, has achieved Grade 8 Violin Distinction, recorded 7 CDs, played in Celtic bands in Australia, and has run Celtic fiddle workshops in Scotland, Australia and the United States since 2007. Colin started playing the violin in Scotland at the age of seven and spent his teenage years travelling across Scotland playing and winning competitions until the age of 15. Colin was classically trained through the school system in Scotland, regularly playing in both the Regional Youth Orchestra and National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland. In his final year of school, Colin achieved Distinction in Grade 8 Violin. Outside of school, Colin followed his passion for Celtic and Scottish music, playing in concerts all over Scotland. He entered Scottish fiddle competitions which helped Colin to hone his Celtic fiddle playing technique and unique sound. He now regularly performs and teaches, both in person and online, across five continents including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America.
CELTIC FIDDLE "PLAY BY EAR" FOUNDATION COURSE RMUSC 8825 C01
Classes start 3/31; 3 Q&A sessions: 4/7, 4/21 and 5/5
Imagine if you could play Celtic Fiddle with increased confidence. Whether you are new to playing an instrument or you would like to change from playing sheet music to “playing by ear”, this course is for you. This 6-week self-paced course is a comprehensive introduction to teaching you how to play the violin by listening to the music. You will learn techniques to help you develop the skills of playing Celtic fiddle tunes by ear. You will progress your technique and take your next steps on your musical journey. This course suits both students who are new to playing an instrument, as well as established players.
COLIN MACLEOD Celtic Fiddle Guru – Principal Instructor
Colin MacLeod, principal instructor, and known as the Celtic Fiddle Guru, is originally from Scotland. Colin, a Celtic fiddle player with over 40 years experience, has achieved Grade 8 Violin Distinction, recorded 7 CDs, played in Celtic bands in Australia, and has run Celtic fiddle workshops in Scotland, Australia and the United States since 2007. Colin started playing the violin in Scotland at the age of seven and spent his teenage years travelling across Scotland playing and winning competitions until the age of 15. Colin was classically trained through the school system in Scotland, regularly playing in both the Regional Youth Orchestra and National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland. In his final year of school, Colin achieved Distinction in Grade 8 Violin. Outside of school, Colin followed his passion for Celtic and Scottish music, playing in concerts all over Scotland. He entered Scottish fiddle competitions which helped Colin to hone his Celtic fiddle playing technique and unique sound. He now regularly performs and teaches, both in person and online, across five continents including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America.
ADULT GUITAR - CONTINUED RMUSC 1169 C01
3/29 - 5/17 6-7 pm
This class is ideal for returning students as well as those that feel they are not an absolute beginner but not ready for anything too intense. Minimal experience is required. Completion of “Guitar for the Adult Beginner” is not mandatory. Must provide own guitar.
GUITAR FOR THE ADULT BEGINNER RMUSC 1168 C01
1/25 - 3/15 6-7 pm
The less experienced you are the better! Learn to play chords and simple strumming patterns as well as easy blues scales and get started playing the guitar. In just eight weeks you will learn how to play some simple songs such as “Back In Black” by AC/DC, “Bad Moon Rising” by CCR, or “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath. No experience reading music necessary! Must provide own guitar.
PLAYING THE DJEMBE DRUM - LEVEL I - Live Online RMUSC 1194 C01
3/2 - 4/8 6 - 7:30 pm
The Tradition of Rhythms of West Africa
Study with Master Drummer, Jim Davidson trained in Mandingue style.
The Djembe drum is the very popular goblet shaped hand-drum from West Africa. This class will start with the basics of hand drumming stressing technique and clarity of notes. We play multi part African rhythms where each drum plays a different pattern. Together the drummers create rich and interesting percussion music. The most important skill learned is listening to the other instruments and keeping in time, playing together. Playing in a tight drum circle is a transcendent experience and lots of fun with many proven health benefits. Drums are also available for purchase and the rental fee can be applied.
With over 20 years of experience, Jim brings his talents as a teacher, and is trained in the Mandingue-style of African drumming as taught by Mamady Keïta from Guinea Africa. You will meet with Jim and other students in this on-line course which has been developed to surmount the difficulties of Internet time delays. You will learn the basics of hand drumming using the Djembe drum. The course will offer the following:
1. Basic African Djembe drum skills; Bass, Tone, Slap and handing patterns
2. Traditional Call and Response teaching techniques
3. Short YouTube videos I produce; designed to practice synchronized playing, monitored by the teacher. Headset or earbuds with microphone are required to avoid echoes.
4. Down-loadable text hand-outs with African rhythm scores, technique and time signatures.
Students who don’t have a Djembe can rent one for the 6-week class for a fee of $50. (11" head minimum) Drums are available for purchase and the rental fee can be applied. Rental Djembes can be picked up in Lambertville NJ and returned here after the course.
PLAYING THE DJEMBE DRUM LEVEL II - Live Online RMUSC 1198 C01
4/13 - 5/20 6 - 7:30 pm
The Tradition of Rhythms of West Africa
Study with Master Drummer, Jim Davidson trained in Mandingue style.
This class builds on "Playing the Djembe Drum, the Traditional Rhythms of West Africa." We strengthen the skills learned in the first section and add more advanced rhythms and techniques including: Echauffement variations, call variations, bell parts, and smoothly moving between rhythm parts.
With over 20 years of experience, Jim brings his talents as a teacher, and is trained in the Mandingue-style of African drumming as taught by Mamady Keïta from Guinea Africa. You will meet with Jim and other students in this on-line course which has been developed to surmount the difficulties of Internet time delays. You will learn the basics of hand drumming using the Djembe drum. The course will offer the following:
1. Basic African Djembe drum skills; Bass, Tone, Slap and handing patterns
2. Traditional Call and Response teaching techniques
3. Short YouTube videos I produce; designed to practice synchronized playing, monitored by the teacher. Headset or earbuds with microphone are required to avoid echoes.
4. Down-loadable text hand-outs with African rhythm scores, technique and time signatures.
Students who don’t have a Djembe can rent one for the 6-week class for a fee of $50. (11" head minimum) Drums are available for purchase and the rental fee can be applied. Rental Djembes can be picked up in Lambertville NJ and returned here after the course.
Meet the Beatles - Live Online RCEGN 8836 C01
2/3 - 3/10 6 - 8pm
The Beatles’ music communicates to people, it touches them, it is fun and light-hearted, it is serious and cynical, it is frightening and dark; it embraces many preceding genres of music and spins them afresh. Most know the Beatles’ hits but few know their story. We’ll delve into the rich personalities of a driven but conflicted John, an eager-to-please but private Paul, a money-concerned turned spiritual George and the abrupt late addition Richy (aka Ringo), the emulsifier of the band. We’ll discuss how they met as teenagers, how they matured both musically and personally, and how they defined and reflected their time. Finally, we’ll discuss the factors that led to their break-up. “The deeper you go, the higher you fly. So come on!”
Meet Scott McLaren
Scott is a passionate Beatles fan since nine years old, having received the Meet the Beatles album as a gift. His interest in their music and each Beatles’ individual charm and unique personality led him to deep exploration of the Beatles’ story via books, seminars and classes. He has traveled extensively to Beatle sites including (but not limited to) Liverpool, Hamburg and London (including interviewing Roag Best, the son of the Beatles’ road manager and half-brother to the Beatles first drummer) to gain a better knowledge of their collective and individual stories. Furthermore, Scott has collected over 50 hours of rare interviews, press conferences, outtakes, studio banter, concerts and alternate song takes. Scott is a recently retired sales executive of 35 years with experience at Amazon Web Services, IBM and other technology companies.