DELTA BLUES REPERTOIRE AND TECHNIQUE for Early Intermed Intermediates Martin Grosswendt
Explore the songs and chops of legendary Mississippi Delta bluesmen such as Charlie Patton, Willie Brown, Son House, and Robert Johnson. As we learn some well-known and obscure selections from the Delta songbag, we’ll cover right-hand techniques including the Dead Thumb, damping, thumb slurs, frails, and finger drags; chord forms in standard and common alternate tunings; rhythm patterns;and,
necessarily, bottleneck playing. We’ll also look at variations on some common guitar settings as recorded by different artists. Some printed material will be provided. Bring a guitar and a bottleneck-style slide. The use of a recording device is strongly encouraged!
THE C-A-G-E-D SYSTEM (All Levels) Ernie Hawkins
Ever watch a blues or jazz guitarist running effortlessly all over the neck and wonder how it is done? The C-A-G-E-D System is the answer. It has been called the logic of the fretboard. This is an easily approachable, easy to use method that brings theory into your fingers and onto the guitar, and puts it all together. We will start by learning how to play blues in any position on the neck, in any key. This system connects all the chord inversions with the passing chords that connect them. It enables you to move any chord, any chord progression, any scale, any arpeggio, any riff around the neck. If you have wanted to go beyond just learning songs into learning the context that gives these songs their sense and beauty, but have been afraid of “music theory,” this course is for you. This is the kind of knowledge that sets you free!
BACKWATERS OF BLUES REPERTOIRE (Intermediate) Del Rey
Explore the interesting tributaries that flow into what we call "the blues" -- parlor guitar, piano blues, jugband jazz! We'll listen to the originals and learn guitar versions of tunes like Spanish Fandango (Seven Foot Dilly), Vicksburg Blues (Little Brother Montgomery), and Suitcase Breakdown (Leecan and Cooksey).
ACOUSTIC BLUES REPERTOIRE (Intermediate/Advanced) Ernie Hawkins
All of my workshops being with introductions. Every student get the opportunity to communicate her or his level and specific interest. I then try to shape my areas of expertise with what most people are interested in. I approach teaching from two points of view: first, style and repertoire, and second, theory. I always try to do some of both. The most accessible songs and styles I teach are, generally, Texas blues and East Coast ragtime-blues fingerpicking, particularly the style of Rev. Gary Davis. In previous workshops, my most popular courses by far have been the use of the C-A-G-E-D System for playing blues and rags. This gives the student what is usually much needed information on exactly how chords and runs happen along the whole fingerboard. This way the student can really begin to understand systematically how everything on the guitar fits together.
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SWING GUITAR (Intermediate/Advanced) Mike Dowling
The emphasis will be on developing solid swing rhythm techniques while learning songs from the classic swing and jump blues repertoire. Students will use Freddie Green-style three note chords and learn new riffs, syncopations, arpeggios and other melodic embellishments. Mike likes to treat this class like a big guitar band with the more adventuresome students beginning to improvise. Handouts provided, tape recorders encouraged, no video cameras please. Level: intermediate and above
BLUES MANDOLIN (SOLO & ENSEMBLE)* Martin Grosswendt
The mandolin can be a striking, effective instrument for playing the blues, as demonstrated by masters such as Yank Rachell, Howard Armstrong, Carl Martin and Johnny Young. In this class we’ll examine a
number of topics suited to both solo and ensemble playing, including open-chord voicings, rhythmic phrasing, right-hand technique, developing lead lines, and transposing tried-and-true licks from the
blues guitar canon. We’ll even look into some oddball stuff like cross tunings, finger-picking and even bottleneck playing. Some printed material will be provided. Bring a mandolin, a flatpick, and an open
mind. The use of a recording device is strongly encouraged!
*Beginners will need transferable skills from guitar.
BOTTLENECK SLIDE GUITAR - Level 1 Martin Grossswendt
Description to come...
BOTTLENECK SLIDE GUITAR (Intermediate & Above) Mike Dowling
Explorations for slide in D & G tunings. Students will learn fretted chord shapes, turnarounds and other techniques that will get you started playing comfortably in these time-honored tunings. Mike uses the bottleneck to add texture and color to traditional Piedmont-style melodies as well as his own slide-based compositions. Handouts provided, audio recorders encouraged, no video cameras please. Level: intermediate and above.
FINGERSTYLE BLUES UKE (Fingerstyle / Beginner* - Advanced Del Rey
Fingerpick ragtime and jazz chords and melodies on the uke, tune by tune at your level. Repertoire will include songs like “Ready for the River" and "Goofus.” Bring your uke. Audio recorders encouraged. There will be two sections:
* Beginners are welcome. Just be familiar with basic chords (guitar or uke), keep time, and have basic fingerpicking skills. If you need a uke, let us know ... we'll direct you to nearby music store(s).
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING COURSES TO BE POSTED SOON...
Arranging for Fingerstyle Guitar - Happy Traum
Brownie McGhee - Happy Traum
Building Blocks for Early Intermediates - Happy Traum
Blues Songwriting - Del Rey
Bottleneck Slide - Level 1 - Martin Grosswendt
Blues Soloing - Mike Dowling
Blues You Can Use "Toolkit" - Cliff Brown
