Blue Ridge Old-Time Music Week
June 6-12, 2010
Classes are scheduled Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. until lunch, but the fun doesn’t end there! Workshops are offered after lunch, as well as formal and informal jam sessions. Evenings include concerts by instructors, special guests, and a very special student showcase at the end of the week!
Learning, Laughing, and Living
Students and music lovers of all ages and backgrounds, many of whom have attended the annual Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week for years, come together in this relaxed and supportive environment. During the week, you’re skills will improve; you’ll learn new tunes, and visit with old friends and meet ones who share your passion for old time music.
Classes
Intermediate I Banjo with Sule Greg Wilson
You’ve got some tunes under your belt and you know your basic chords. You may be moving between tunings; great! But now, you need t work on rhythm and dynamics, funky pull-offs, hammer-ons, slides, brushes, and drop and double thumbing. It’s time to sing—or at least, talk—while you play. Do you want to move beyond basic rhythm into waltz, swing time and raucous rappin’? We will incorporate these techniques and more through the “tune a day” approach. We’ll play some classics and go beyond repertoire, too! Come ready to stretch that comfort zone, tap that foot and have us a good ‘jo time!
Intermediate II Banjo with Mac Traynham
This class will focus on learning traditional tunes by ear in a danceable traditional style. A well-working fretted banjo and a mastery of both right hand and left hand basic techniques is a prerequisite. To be most successful in this class one should already be able to coordinate with and keep time with a simple and regular pat of the foot while playing. Simple tunes in D and A will be taught without the use of tablature. Variations will be demonstrated using advanced techniques. A tune or two in alternate tunings will be introduced if time permits. Video recording devices will be allowed. We will spend some time listening to source recordings of the old-timers. Learning to listen for details in their playing and incorporating these fundamental melodic and rhythmic elements is key to becoming an advanced player. Our goal will be to get a traditional sound to your playing.
email: mactraynham@gmail.com
Advanced Banjo with Walt Koken
In this class, we’ll explore the fingerboard with a view to playing old time tunes in two octaves. We’ll look at the oldest known tuning, now known as standard C, and how it relates musically to the G tuning. We’ll look at some chord shapes, and I’ll demonstrate techniques I use in these tunings for finding ways to play fiddle and/or banjo tunes. Depending on class size, we can work on tunes requested by class members. Requirements for the class would be a 5-string banjo with 17 – 22 frets, and the ability to play some tunes in a frailing style. Email me at wkoken@comcast.net if you have questions or online at www.mudthumper.com.
Intermediate/Advanced Bass with Hilary Dirlam
This class is for bass players who want to move beyond the open strings to new territory. We’ll learn how to incorporate some notes up the neck. We’ll learn some plain and fancy bass runs and when and where to use them. Other class topics will be: ear training, recognizing guitar chords, the circle of fifths, tuning to harmonics, and right-hand rhythms. Students who take this class need to be familiar with the bass, and already able to play some old-time tunes and with reasonably good rhythm. In addition to bringing a bass, you’ll need a tuner. Email: silvervajra@gmail.com
Mountain Dulcimer with Margaret and Lloyd Wright
New dulcimer players are warmly welcomed as well as experienced players who wish to really play old time Music on the dulcimer. Since the class has two teachers, everyone’s needs can be met during this week. Goals will include fingering skill, dexterity, and the ear training needed to play old time music with enthusiasm and drive. Extra attention outside of class time is readily available. Students will become comfortable with the fretboard, various tunings, chords, melodic patterns, playing by ear and by rote and will have a substantial repertoire by the end of the week. Tablature will be available (if desired), but tunes will be initially taught by ear. Tunes will be from standard old time repertoire. Jamming is a highly encouraged at all levels. Be sure to have a dulcimer that plays in tune with a comfortable string height, but no buzzes. Bring a dulcimer capo, chromatic tuner, and extra sets of strings and picks. If your dulcimer does not have a 6 ½ fret, please have one added. Tape recorders are encouraged and music stands discouraged. www.jerrywrightfamily.com
Advanced Beginning Fiddle with Helen White
A step up from the basic fundamentals class, we will review good tone production, basic mechanics and learning strategies while moving at a slightly brisker pace into simple bow patterns applied to tunes. Students should be comfortable learning and playing by ear in at least 2 keys. Email: foxridge@ls.net
Intermediate Fiddle with Beverly Smith
Focus will be on the details that make up southern fiddle style. We will work with old time bowing patterns and begin to use some of the more common tunings such as “cross tuning” (GDGD or AEAE) and “high bass” (ADAE). We will listen to source recordings and learn to recognize some of the stylistic detail. We’ll be learning by ear! No written music will be used. Please have a playable fiddle and bow. You should know how to basically play a D, G and A scale in first position and come prepared to have fun! Email: Beverlydale@yahoo.com
Advanced Fiddle with Clare Milliner
You will learn several fiddle tunes in various keys and tunings, paying special attention to the bowing, double stops, and turns of phrase that create the old time sound. Transcriptions will be provided. Email: clmilliner@comcast.net
Intermediate Guitar with Rhonda Gouge
Please be able to play in the keys of C,G,D, and A. Emphasis will be placed on good rhythm and timing, and we will discuss the very important role of the guitarist in a string band setting. We will discuss how to be tasteful with your guitar and how to play the best back-up you possibly can. We will discuss the use and “misuse” of the capo and experiment to decide what sounds best with certain tunes. Bass runs will be taught as well as a brief explanation of the numbering system and how to use it. Each day part of the class time will be spent in learning how to play back-up to a variety of instruments. For example, the instructor will bring a guitar and at least one other instrument to class so that students can have the experience of learning how to play back-up for banjo, fiddle, mandolin, etc. Students should come to class expecting to have a good time as we learn more about music together. A recording device is strongly recommended.
Advanced Guitar with Wayne Henderson
We will focus on traditional tunes in this class. Students should come to the class with a guitar, a tuner, and a means of recording the tunes, as teaching will be the old-time way, by ear. I will be happy to record both melody and backup for everything I teach and I will also teach tunes that students request. Students should already be familiar with chords and playing backup for traditional tunes. www.waynehenderson.org
Advanced/Intermediate Mandolin with Adam Tanner
Students in this class must be able to play a few simple fiddle tunes on the mandolin in the keys of G, A, and D and feel comfortable picking up new musical information by ear.
This class will start with a brief review of fundamental techniques that will enable you to be most comfortable with your instrument and help you to employ ergonomic strategies to best transfer what you hear in your head on to your mandolin. As the week progresses the focus will be on playing the southern Appalachian fiddle repertoire including tips for approaching melodies in settings in which the fiddle is tuned open (AEAE and other tunings), as well as borrowing sounds and styles from various old time fiddle bowing techniques and ornaments. Other topics covered in the class will be chording and melody ideas for participation in Old Time string band ensemble with side lines into Ragtime/Blues styles and the mandolin of the early country music duets. Email: adamtannerme@gmail.com
Rhythm and Repertoire with Candy Goldman and Jimmy Triplett
For intermediate and advanced level stringed instruments. The hauntingly beautiful music of West Virginia will form the core of this class, drawing from traditional repertoires of regional musicians like the Hammons family, Ernie Carpenter, and Melvin Wine, and reaching back for tunes that pre-date commercial old-time. We’ll explore an older aesthetic in Appalachian music, both in rhythm and melody. Sometimes this means going more for apparent simplicity and less for overt drama, and requires listening with the borrowed spirit of ages past. In keeping with tradition, we’ll make use of a number of different keys and open tunings for fiddle and banjo. We’ll also talk about the interplay among instruments, including adapting older, crooked fiddle tunes to a group setting. Background and stories will connect the tunes to a place and a time. Email: triplettj@umsl.edu
Traditional Country Singing with Alice Gerrard
Singing is fun and definitely within reach! It makes up a good majority of the traditional repertoire, whether it’s fiddle tunes with words, an unaccompanied ballad, or a good old country song. This will be an in-depth class on traditional southern singing styles- both accompanied and unaccompanied. It will focus on repertoire and will also explore ways to become a stronger singer- how to find and use your voice. We can develop our natural voices and work on learning to use them to get the sound we want that is in the country style. We will be listening to other singers and ourselves. We can explore harmony if the class is interested in this, but that will not be the primary focus. If you have questions please email me at agerrard@mindspring.com.
Afternoon Mini-Courses
Held daily Monday through Friday. Each course includes a daily one hour afternoon classes (see schedule below). You must pre-register for each mini-course and pay an additional tuition of $85.
1:00pm Beginning Mandolin Mini-Course with Adam Tanner
This class is for beginning – first time mandolin players. The focus will be on learning proper right and left hand techniques to make the best sounds possible from the mandolin while learning some simple fiddle tunes and chords. Other topics covered will be the importance of solid timing, expressing the feel of a tune with rhythm, and how to seamlessly blend into a Jam session even if you don’t know the tunes. A recording device is heartily recommended.
1:00pm Beginning Bass Mini-Course with Margaret Wright
If you’ve never touched a bass but always wanted to play, this class can start you off right! You’ll have a chance to learn the names of the strings, how to make a good sound with your right hand, hoe to recognize common guitar chords, and how to play along with some common tunes in the keys of D, A and G. It’s good if you can bring your own bass, but basses will be available, although students without their own basses will need to take turns.
2:00pm Beginning Fiddle Mini-Course with Robby Robertson
The beginning fiddle class will get you started on the path to becoming an old timefiddle player. We’ll learn how to tune and care for a fiddle, some basic bowing patterns, a few scales, and as many old time tunes as possible. Tunes will be taught in short, easy to learn segments that we’ll listen to and play until everyone knows them. Please bring a playable fiddle, a usable bow, an electronic tuner (or a good ear).
2:00pm Harmony Singing Mini-Course with Ann Whitley, Barbara Panter-Connah, and Jan Smith
If you want to learn to sing harmony, improve your harmony skills, or spend time singing harmoniously with others, this is the class for you. You’ll learn how to find a harmony part to fit your voice, how to work out a song with one or more people, and the etiquette of harmony singing. We’ll focus on old-time country songs, and throw in some blues, gospel, and honky-tonk for fun. Come prepared to have a good time!
3:00pm Percussion Dance Mini-Course with Sule Greg Wilson
Buck, flatfoot, step, tap, clog, hoofin’—-whatever you call it, it’s funky, fun and it takes practice! Join Sule Greg Wilson as he breaks down fancy footwork into basic building blocks that one can riff on for a lifetime. We’ll even learn the Shim Sham Shimmy. Leather sole or tap shoes are best; come on down!
3:00pm String Band Mini-Course with Hilary Dirlam
It’s never too late or too soon to learn to play well with others. This class will help you learn the process of forming a band and playing old-time music as a group. All string instruments and singers welcome. If enough people sign up we can have a multitude of bands! There will be an opportunity to perform at the end of the week. The only requirement to be in String Band class is being a band novice.
Free Afternoon Workshops
Partial List (no pre-registration needed):
Shaped Note Singing Workshop with Laura Boosinger
Join us for acapella shaped-note singing. We will be signing from The Chrisnan Harmony, a seven shape book traditionally used in Western North Carolina.
Clyde-o-scope of Banjo Tunes Workshop with Candy Goldman
We’ll explore the unique repertoire of songs and tunes from the playing of Kentucky fiddle and banjo master, Clyde Davenport. Students in this class should be comfortable with the basic clawhammer technique (including “drop thumb”). Clyde’s versions of tunes are unusual and very satisfying to play. We’ll learn such favorites as Sally Ann and Devilish Mary. A print out of words to songs will be provided. I teach only by ear (no tablature). Recording devices are encouraged.
Others to be announced
Prices
| Double Occupancy | Price includes meals, room, and program tuition. Attendees that do not request specific roommate will be assigned one by the BROTMW staff. |
$519
|
| Single Occupancy | Price includes meals, room, and program tuition |
$639
|
| Commuter | Price includes lunch Monday through Friday. |
$374
|
|
Non-participant attendee (double occupancy) |
Designed for spouses and/or friends that wish to attend the program but do not wish to attend class or workshops. Price includes meals, room and activity fee (staff concerts, etc.). |
$364
|
| Mini-class/es (optional) | Afternoon mini-classes at 1:00 and 3:00 |
$85
each |
|
$5 of each tuition goes to the Blue Ridge Old Time Music Scholarship Fund. Housing and Meals: Accommodations are provided in campus dormitories. Rooms are a suite arrangement with two bedrooms and a shared bath. All bedrooms have two twin beds and none are air-conditioned. Linens are provided. Although single accommodations are available, private baths are not. Additional Amenities: Attendees have access to campus amenities, including tennis court, walking trails, etc. Meals are exceptional quality, with an all-you-can-eat hot buffet, grill, plus salad, dessert and drink bars. Transportation: Mars Hill College is located 18 miles north of Asheville, NC, the largest city in the Western NC region. Asheville Regional Airport (code: AVL) is served by Continental, Delta, and US Airways and their regional affiliates. Direct flights are available to and from Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Greenville/Spartanburg, Newark, and Raleigh/Durham. The city also has a Greyhound bus terminal. Shuttle service from the airport or bus station to Mars Hill College may be arranged by contacting Sky Shuttle at (828) 253-0006. Please make shuttle arrangements before arriving in Asheville. |
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