Violin Foundations I introduces adult beginners to the fundamentals of playing the violin. Students learn how to hold and care for their instruments, establish comfortable posture, develop a proper bow hold, and produce a clear, consistent tone. Through guided exercises, ear training, and group playing, students begin building the coordination and listening skills needed to play with confidence.

Over the session, students will learn the A major scale in first position and prepare French Folk Song for a performance from memory. Each class also includes a short introduction to notable violinists and their musical backgrounds.

Techniques Covered: A major scale, instrument and bow hold, posture, basic bowing, tone production, ear training, tuning, instrument care, and playing in time with a group.

Requirements: No previous violin experience necessary.

Violin Foundations II builds on the skills introduced in Foundations I, helping students develop greater comfort, coordination, and control on the instrument. Classes focus on strengthening posture, improving intonation, and developing a more flexible and consistent bow stroke.

Students will explore the G major scale, expand their playing across the E, A, and D strings, and begin working with double stops and written rhythms. The session culminates in a performance of Old Joe Clark from memory. Classes also introduce students to contemporary violinists and opportunities to hear live performances.

Techniques Covered: G major scale, double stops, bow control, straight bowing, left-hand accuracy, rhythm fundamentals, reading rhythmic notation, and ensemble timing.

Requirements: Completion of Violin Foundations I or equivalent experience.

Violin Foundations III introduces students to reading music in treble clef while continuing to strengthen the technical skills developed in earlier classes. Students work on coordinating written notation with their playing, improving rhythmic accuracy, and developing a more consistent tone through long-bow exercises.

Over the session, students will practice sight-reading, introduce the fourth finger, explore two-note slurs across strings, and learn to play comfortably while seated. Through three-part rounds and group exercises, students begin developing greater independence within an ensemble. The session concludes with a performance of Dona Nobis Pacem in three parts, using sheet music.

Techniques Covered: Two-octave G major scale, treble clef reading, sight-reading, fourth-finger placement, slurred notes, string crossings, long-tone exercises, rhythm studies, and three-part harmony.

Requirements: Completion of Violin Foundations II or equivalent experience.

Violin Foundations IV builds on students' developing music-reading skills while introducing more challenging rhythms, melodic patterns, and left-hand techniques. Students strengthen their ability to interpret written music, maintain a steady pulse, and shape musical phrases through bow control and dynamics.

This session introduces shifting into third position and preliminary vibrato exercises, alongside continued work on sight-reading and tone production. Students will apply these skills to Ashokan Farewell, preparing a performance that emphasizes phrasing, expression, and sustained bow control.

Techniques Covered: Two-octave D major scale, introduction to third-position shifting, sight-reading, whole-bow technique, sustained notes, dynamics, phrasing, and introductory vibrato exercises.

Requirements: Completion of Violin Foundations III or equivalent experience.

Violin Applications I introduces students to fiddle traditions, improvisation, and the musical skills needed to participate in informal jam sessions. Building on their technical foundation, students explore how to follow chord progressions, communicate with other players, and develop the confidence to play melodies and solos within a group.

Through pentatonic scales, rhythmic studies, and traditional repertoire, students learn to improvise and respond musically to the players around them. The session features Jolie Blon, a traditional Cajun folk song, and introduces skills that can be applied to Bantam's Folk Jam ensemble.

Techniques Covered: Two-octave A major scale, E major, A major, and D minor pentatonic scales, sight-reading, swung and shuffle rhythms, chord chart reading, soloing, improvisation, and vibrato exercises.

Requirements: Completion of Violin Foundations IV or equivalent experience.

Violin Applications II introduces students to chamber music and the technical and musical independence needed to play classical repertoire with multiple parts. Students continue refining tone production, finger articulation, vibrato, and intonation while expanding their ability to move confidently around the fingerboard.

The class focuses on shifting into third position across all four strings, introducing fifth position on the E string, and developing the listening and communication skills essential to chamber playing. Students will explore independent parts through Prelude from Dmitri Shostakovich's Five Duets for Two Violins and Piano, preparing them for future participation in classical ensembles.

Techniques Covered: Two-octave B minor scale, two-octave C and D major scales in third position, third-position shifting on all strings, introduction to fifth position, vibrato, finger articulation, tone production, and chamber music fundamentals.

Requirements: Completion of Violin Applications I or equivalent technical experience.

Violin Applications III is the final stage of Bantam Studios' structured Beginner Violin Program, bringing together the technical and musical skills developed throughout the curriculum. Students work with more challenging repertoire, études, and targeted exercises to strengthen their playing and prepare for ongoing participation in the Studio Program.

The class follows a rotating four-session curriculum, allowing students to continue refining their technique, develop greater independence, and build confidence in ensemble settings. Emphasis is placed on shifting, vibrato, complex rhythms, harmony, and the coordination needed for more demanding musical material.

Techniques Covered: Two-octave major and minor scales in G, A, B, C, D, E, and F; third and fifth positions across all four strings; introduction to seventh position; vibrato; complex rhythmic studies; harmony; études; and ensemble preparation.

Requirements: Completion of Violin Applications II or equivalent experience.

What's Next? Students who are ready to move beyond the structured Beginner Program can continue into the Bantam Studios Studio Program, which offers ongoing Violin Techniques classes and ensembles, including Chamber Strings and Folk Jam. Placement is based on playing experience and musical readiness.

Guitar Foundations I introduces the essential skills of playing the guitar, from holding and tuning the instrument to developing a clear, consistent tone. Students learn first-position chords, basic picking and strumming techniques, and how to read chord charts and lead sheets. Through familiar songs like "Free Fallin'," "Stand by Me," "Jolene," and "Let It Be," students build the confidence to play along with others.

Techniques Covered: Fretting and left-hand technique, first-position chords, basic picking and strumming patterns, rhythmic notation, chord charts and lead sheets, tuning, instrument care, and playing in time with a group.

Guitar Foundations II builds on basic chord playing by introducing single-note melodies, riffs, and reading guitar tablature. Students develop picking dexterity, explore the G major scale, and work with more complex rhythms, including sixteenth notes and syncopation. A rotating selection of songs helps students strengthen their technique, improve their timing, and become more independent in learning new music.

Techniques Covered: Two-octave G major scale, alternate picking, single-note melodies and riffs, tablature, sixteenth-note rhythms, syncopation, double stops, and shifting between positions.

Guitar Foundations III brings chordal and melodic playing together while introducing fingerpicking, barre chords, and movable scale patterns. Students explore alternating bass lines, combine melody and accompaniment, and develop greater flexibility across the fingerboard. Through repertoire such as "Freight Train," students build the skills needed for more independent playing and participation in group settings like Folk Jam.

Techniques Covered: Movable major scale patterns, fingerpicking, alternating bass lines, barre chords, combining chords and melody, and developing complete song arrangements.

Guitar Applications I is an ongoing class for guitarists who have completed the Foundations sequence or have equivalent experience. Each session introduces new songs, techniques, and musical challenges, giving students the opportunity to strengthen their playing while exploring different styles and approaches. With an emphasis on applying existing skills to real music, the class helps students develop fluency, confidence, and independence on the instrument.

Techniques Covered: Chord voicings, fingerpicking and flatpicking, melodic phrasing, rhythm and groove, movable patterns, arranging, and applying technique to a rotating selection of repertoire.

Class Format: Rolling curriculum with new material each session. Students may enroll for multiple sessions.