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June 8 – 13 2008 Staff Musicians: Sandol Astrausky, Jack Burgess, Jacque Lewin, Pete Peterson, Chirps Smith, and Lewis Wills
Classes / Instructors:
Select a Class. . . . Intermediate Advanced Bass with Rory MacLeod Beginning Banjo with Carl Jones Intermediate Banjo with Joe Newberry *CLASS IS FULL* Advanced Clawhammer Banjo with Tom Sauber Beginning Fiddle with David Robinson Advanced Beginner Fiddle with Helen White Intermediate Fiddle with Beverly Smith *CLASS IS FULL* Advanced Fiddle with Betty Vornbrock *CLASS IS FULL* Beginning Guitar with Kellie Allen Intermediate Guitar with Hilary Dirlam *CLASS IS FULL* Advanced Guitar with Wayne Henderson Intermediate/Advanced Mandolin with Marcy Marxer Dulcimer with Margaret Wright Traditional Country Singing with Alice Gerrard Rhythm and Repertoire with Clare Milliner and Walt Koken Storytelling with John Fowler *CLASS IS FULL* Afternoon Workshops (Note: Classes in the above areas are held from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon each day, Monday through Friday. Please choose the class and the level that most closely suits your current ability. Students are allowed (with the Director/Instructor’s assistance) to change levels at the end of the first day of class if there is sufficient room in the class into which you are moving.)
Click here for prices 2008 BROTMW Brochure (large file) Register online NOW! Just CLICK HERE! For a printable registration, click here

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 & Instructors

Intermediate Advanced Bass with Rory MacLeod
While technique is important in playing bass, I feel that listening is more important. I've played jazz, blues and rock-a-billy since the mid-70s. While old-time bass is not as technically challenging as some music it affords me an opportunity to really listen to the other players. In my class students will learn plucking and slap techniques, how to develop bass runs, how music theory can apply to back-up bass, and how to listen to the language that the other musicians are speaking with their instruments.
Email: Rory MacLeod

Beginning Banjo with Carl Jones
In beginning banjo, we will start with basic right and left hand techniques to facilitate some easy tunes as well as "backup" for songs. "Semi-painless" music theory will be advocated from the onset and the entire fingerboard will be our "comfort" zone before the week is through. A recording device is highly encouraged along with a healthy dose of whimsy and frivolity. My goal is to make learning fun, but also to give everyone a good "leg-up" on their banjo journey. I am looking forward to our week of laughter and musical travels together.
Email: Carl Jones
Web site: www.smithnjones.net

Intermediate Banjo with Joe Newberry     *CLASS IS FULL*
The class will feature a mix of "famous" and "not so famous" (although they should be) tunes. Both are important. While everyone loves a new tune, I like to use familiar tunes to serve as a springboard for new techniques. This means that students don't have to learn a tune and a technique at the same time. A few tunes to make sure to give a listen to before class include Mississippi Sawyer, Soldier's Joy, Shortnin' Bread, Sugar Hill, and June Apple. Topics will include: "Putting Drive in Your Playing," "Rhythm Tips," "The Fifth String as a Melody Vehicle," and "The Under-used Second Fret." If there is interest, we can also take a look at playing in a string band setting and singing with the banjo. Be familiar with G tuning (GDGBD) and Double C tuning (GCGCD); other tunings will be taught as well when we learn some of the "not so famous" tunes. Bring a capo, extra strings, and an electronic tuner. A tape recorder is also recommended, as class will be taught by ear and not by tablature.
Email: Joe Newberry
Web site: www.myspace.com/joenewberry

Advanced Clawhammer Banjo with Tom Sauber
In this class we'll examine the left and right hand techniques which make it possible to play lots of melody without sacrificing the rhythmic steadiness and power of the clawhammer style. Most, if not all, of these subtleties are heard in the playing of Round Peak banjo giants like Charlie Lowe, but many are used by down-stroke players everywhere. Experience and musical discretion taught the oldtimers what to play and what not to play, and that will be our goal in this class. We want fiddle players to love playing with us. It will be like having your cake and eating it, too. If there's time and interest we can look at finger-picking, different tunings, or other clawhammer styles.
Email: Tom Sauber
Web site: www.tombradalice.com/tom.html

Beginning Fiddle with David Robinson
The beginning fiddle class will introduce students to basic finger positions for playing standard old-time fiddle tunes. The class will also learn various bowing patterns. We will cover things like holding the bow, and tuning, too. We will learn new concepts daily and build on concepts learned to cover some basic old-time tunes. The strategies used for instruction will include call-and-response, and tab with bowing patterns. Please bring a playable fiddle, a useable bow, a recording device, and an electronic tuner.
Email: David Robinson

Advanced Beginner Fiddle with Helen White
This class is for students with basic mastery of the mechanics of playing the fiddle who can play several tunes in at least 2 keys. We will learn old time tunes in standard and crossed tunings with an emphasis on rhythmic bowing patterns applied to the "bones" of simple melodies. Learning by ear will be required - recording device strongly recommended!
Email: Helen White

Intermediate Fiddle with Beverly Smith     *CLASS IS FULL*
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 and a recording device. You should know how to basically play a D, G and A scale in first position and come prepared to have fun!
Email: Beverly Smith
Web site: www.smithnjones.net

Advanced Fiddle with Betty Vornbrock    *CLASS IS FULL*
Rhythm, drive and phrasing are essential elements to old-time fiddling, no matter what style you prefer. Our class will focus on these through bowing and rhythm exercises, and learning a variety of tunes. These will be drawn from my repertoire of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Blue Ridge styles, to help you develop drive, texture, and feeling in your fiddling. My favorites include Eddon Hammons, Wilson Douglas, Art Stamper, J.P. Fraley, Clyde Davenport, Emmett Lundy, Melvin Wine, John Salyer, and others. They all have unique styles, some complex, some simple, and some bring a tear to your eye. But they all make ya wanna dance! Advanced students should be able to learn a tune by ear fairly quickly (I will break them down), and be familiar with non-standard tunings. Recorders welcome!
Email: Betty Vornbrock
Web site: www.reedisland.com/RIR/rounders.htm

Beginning Guitar with Kellie Allen
This class is designed for total beginners. No prior knowledge of the guitar is necessary. We will work on the basics: how to tune the guitar, chords and keys commonly employed in old-time music, how to change chords, how to strum, and appropriate bass notes for old-time backup guitar. We will discuss and watch demonstrations of various old-time guitar styles. We will explore jam session strategies and etiquette as well as where to find music-playing opportunities. We will also consider various types of guitars, picks, strings, and other useful equipment and accessories. I will recommend source recordings for students interested in listening to and appreciating different old-time guitar backup styles. We may do some critical listening of some of those recordings.
Email: Kellie Allen
Web site: www.wakinguptillie.com

Intermediate Guitar with Hilary Dirlam     *CLASS IS FULL*
This class will teach you to play backup guitar for old-time tunes and songs. We’ll start with bass string/strum technique, and add simple bass runs. Come prepared to play; this will be an experiential class. The most important part of backup guitar is playing with a rock-solid rhythm, and this will be emphasized throughout the week. We’ll also cover chord choices, use of the capo, listening for chord changes, and how to find some chords up the neck. If there’s time we’ll work on finding simple melodies on the bass strings, too. To take this class you need to be able to tune your own guitar and change your own strings. You need to have the three basic chords for the keys of A, D, G and C memorized, without referring to a written chord chart. I might give you a handout or two, but I recommend that you record everything.
Email: Hilary Dirlam

Advanced Guitar with Wayne Henderson
Wayne’s advanced guitar class will focus on traditional tunes. 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. Wayne will be happy to record both melody and backup for everything he teaches directly, and will also teach tunes that students request. Students should already know “how to pick"; that is, be pretty familiar with chords and playing backup for traditional tunes.
Web site: www.waynehenderson.org

Intermediate/Advanced Mandolin with Marcy Marxer
This is a PLAYING class. Bring your mandolin, tuner, tape machines and be ready for a great workout. Pre-requisite – This class will assume you already play, can tune your mandolin and are comfortable with a flatpick. This is not a beginner’s class. Each day will start with a few warm-up exercises. We’ll learn many chord positions and, through the old- time repertoire, work on these skills: Playing with a shuffle bounce, right hand tone production, controlling tremolo, old-time fiddle tunes, old-time blues, the mandolin of Yank Rachel, ragtime tunes, Intros and Endings.
Email: Marcy Marxer
Web site: www.cathymarcy.com

Dulcimer with Margaret Wright
No matter what your level, this class will help you improve your skill, dexterity and ear to be able to play with the enthusiasm and drive that old-time music calls for. You will become familiar with the fretboard, tunings, chords, patterns, and playing by ear and by rote, although tablature will be available. Fingering and strumming technique will be taught in the context of the tunes we learn. Jamming is a must, and will be the thrust of the class! Assessment of skill level will be discussed at our Sunday evening class meeting. I will spend time outside of morning class with students who feel they are either beyond or behind class level. You will need a playable dulcimer (ie: it must play in tune, have a comfortable string height, and no buzzes), a dulcimer capo, a chromatic tuner, an extra set of strings and picks. If your dulcimer does not have a 6 1/2 fret, please have one added. Please feel free to contact me ahead of time so you can come prepared to make the most of the week.
Email: Margaret Wright
Website: www.geocities.com/pickinwright/

Traditional Country Singing with Alice Gerrard
Singing is fun and definitely within reach! It makes up a good 75% of the traditional repertoire, including fiddle tunes with words, unaccompanied ballads, and good old country songs. This will be an in-depth class on traditional singing styles-both accompanied and unaccompanied. It 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 style. We will be listening to other singers as well as ourselves. We can explore harmony if the class is interested in this, but that will not be the primary focus. We will work on specific songs, developing a sense of style; we may also try arranging some of the songs with the accompaniment if possible. I will send out a list of singers you should listen to before the class starts. There is no level requirement for this class, just an interest in singing and in traditional styles. You will need some kind of recording device to bring to class.
Email: Alice Gerrard
Web site: www.tombradalice.com/alicegerrard

Rhythm and Repertoire with Clare Milliner and Walt Koken
The focus of this class will be on repertoire. Clare and Walt will present fiddle tunes from their large collection, played as fiddle/banjo duets, fiddle solos, fiddle duets, and a few banjo solos too. They will include tunes in the most common keys, and in most all fiddle tunings. This will include the fiddling tradition from a wide area of the southeastern United States, as well as a sampling of tunes from the Midwest, New England, and Canada, too. Although the tunes will be discussed and demonstrated slowly as well as up to speed, the intent is not to teach them note by note in class, but rather to lay out plenty of material for the class to take with them to work on. Folks are encouraged to bring a recorder of some type, and all levels of musicianship are invited to attend.
Email: Clare Milliner; Walt Koken

Storytelling with John Fowler    *CLASS IS FULL*
This class will be a fun introductory exercise in the art of spinning a traditional tale. No experience necessary, just the willingness to explore and enjoy the company of others…as we dive into this art of chewing-the-fat. Group tellin’ and individual experimentation will be covered. Students should have one story that they want to learn. Bring an illustrated folktale or similar materials that you want to work on. The basics, plus some structural development will be simplified for all to enjoy! All skill levels invited!
Email: John Fowler
Web site: www.hairytoeproductions.com

Afternoon Workshops
A full list of afternoon workshops will be available at program orientation. Partial list of additional workshops offered:

• Beginning Bass
• Beginning Mandolin
• Dance

Prices

For detail driving directions to Mars Hill College please visit http://www.mhc.edu/location.asp