Courses

Outline of courses: The mix of courses at Common Ground Scotland has been established over the first four years and that mix is likely to continue with odd bits of fine tuning. The classes are an important part of Common Ground and our experience to date has been that people have got more than they expected. What they perhaps didn't expect was the informality of the event and the opportunities to try different things. We have had people who have come to learn the fiddle and who have gone away with a new enthusiasm for watercolour painting. What you get at Common Ground is access to artists in a way that is rarely offered at other events. Our tutors are often also students - they may be the expert in the fiddle class in one part of the day, and the absolute beginner in another class at another time of day.

We cater for all of the 'obvious' classes - fiddle, guitar, whistle, bodhran etc., but within our staff and students we have people who can help you with all sorts of things. We can't guarantee to meet your every need, but we are confident that we can keep you busy enough with challenging activities and still leave you wanting to come back again to try something new or to take your study further.

You may want to focus on one particular class as your main choice, but we would encourage you take a second class and also attend a range of 'tasters' and 'masterclasses'. Please specify your skill levels and what your expectations are when booking. We will then have a better idea of what is expected by our students and tailor the sessions to fit student needs.

Instrument Classes:
Guitar
Whistle
Fiddle
Pipes
Accordion
Bass
Beginning Guitar
Altered tunings for guitar.
Accompaniment styles for tunes and songs
Scots Fiddle
Old Time Fiddle
Piano
Hammered dulcimer
Blues harmonica
Mandolin
Banjo

Song Classes:

Scots, Gaelic and Irish Song
Harmony soinging

Songwriting & Performance
Songwriting
Gospel Choir
Vocal styles
The Blues
Performance workshops
Sound systems and recording techniques

Singing and the Spoken Word
Story Telling
Songs of Freedom and Social Justice
Big Song Swap

The Visual Arts and Crafts

'Artschool @ Common Ground'
Painting
Instrument Construction and repair

Sketching Live Musicians
Woodcarving, Stonecarving, Bronzes
Photography

Dance
Clog dancing
Step dancing
Ceilidh Dancing

Human Arts & Special Gatherings
The Search for Common Ground
Everyday Non-violence
Gospel choir
Introduction to the Gaelic language

Robert Burns
Burns for All - an easy access introduction to Scotland's National Poet
Burns in Context - Develop your knowledge of Burns 'out and about' in Ayrshire.

Local History and Cultural visits
Culzean Castle - The American Connection
Dean Castle
The Scottish Maritime Museum
Various Burns heritage sites
Oswald Hall

'Children Among Us'
We are developing a full programme for children that will allow them to experience all the various artforms at an appropriate but 'real' level.

Tutors