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June 7-13, 2009
Classes / Instructors: 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!
Select a Class. . . . Beginning Banjo with Carl Jones **CLASS IS FULL** Intermediate Banjo with Cathy Fink **CLASS IS FULL** Advanced Clawhammer Banjo with Adam Hurt **JUST ADDED** Intermediate/Advanced Banjo with Jeremy Stephens Beginning Fiddle with Jack Burgess Advanced Beginner Fiddle with Helen White **CLASS IS FULL** Intermediate Fiddle with Beverly Smith **CLASS IS FULL** Advanced Fiddle with Paul Brown Beginning Guitar with Kellie Allen Intermediate Guitar with Hilary Dirlam Advanced Guitar with Marcy Marxer Dulcimer with Margaret Wright Beginning Mandolin with Rhonda Gouge Rhythm and Repertoire iwth Curly Miller and Carole Ann Rose Traditional Country Singing with Alice Gerrard Beginning Fingerstyle Autoharp with Laura Boosinger (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.)
New in 2009: Afternoon Mini-Classes Due to student demand, afternoon mini-classes will be offered for an additional fee. Free Afternoon Workshops Click here for prices Register online 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

Beginning Banjo/Carl Jones
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 healthy dose of whimsy and frivolity is suggested for our week of laughter and music travels together.  My goal is to make learning fun, but also to give everyone a good leg-up on their banjo journey. (www.smithnjones.net or email carljonesdittyville@yahoo.com)

Intermediate Banjo/Cathy Fink **CLASS IS FULL**
You ain’t beginners and you ain’t advanced, you’re in the middle. That means you can play a few tunes and chords in a few tunings (G and double C) and you’ve got a decent handle on the right hand clawhammer style.  We will learn one tune and song per day, adding tunings, right and left hand techniques. This will include hammer on, pull off, slide, tips for changing tunings quickly, double thumbing (drop thumb). We’ll also explore old time finger picking techniques. Focus will be on playing in time, in tune and in rhythm while expanding other skills, including playing with others. Bring your banjo jokes, chocolate, and a big banjo smile.  (www.cathymarcy.com)

Advanced Clawhammer Banjo/Adam Hurt **CLASS IS FULL**
This musical tour of Southern Appalachia is designed to familiarize you with the diversity of the old-time banjo repertoire throughout southern Appalachia and to show how different the instrument and its music can be from region to region. We will learn a collection of tunes from North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, including tunes that are commonly played on the banjo as well as some that are seldom heard. We will explore some uncommon but still traditional tunings and talking about additional applications for them. Students should have a sizeable repertoire of tunes in various tunings and be able to play them smoothly up to speed. Familiarity and facility with the drop-thumb technique is essential. All tunes will be taught by ear in the traditional manner. (adam@adamhurt.com)

Intermediate/Advanced Banjo/Jeremy Stephens **JUST ADDED**
This mixed intermediate/advanced banjo class will focus on various old time banjos styles of southern Virginia and northern North Carolina. We will go in depth with right hand frailing techniques as well as crucial right hand techniques necessary to authentically reproduce and/or interpret various regional banjo styles. Following class interest, we may spend some time on some two and three-finger up-picking.

Beginning Fiddle/Jack Burgess
True beginners welcome.  We will learn the beginning mechanics of fiddling.  After learning the basics of holding the bow and placement of the left hand fingers, we’ll learn tunes that demonstrate these in the different keys.  Individual attention will be given to each student to work toward mastering basic bowing patterns. We will carry on a discussion of the aesthetic and characteristics of fiddle styles. Everything will be taught by ear.  (grittygriffey@gmail.com)

Advanced Beginner Fiddle/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 two keys.  (foxridge@ls.net)

Intermediate Fiddle/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.  You should know how to basically play a D, G and A scale in first position and come prepared to have fun! (beverlydale@yahoo.com)

Advanced Fiddle/Paul Brown **CLASS IS FULL**
We’ll explore a number of playing styles found in the southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina region, ranging from the stately old bowings and rhythms of the Galax area to newer, longer-bow techniques popular at square dances in Surry County, North Carolina and elsewhere.  We’ll also try some Round Peak fiddling. Check interesting versions of tunes from lesser-known senior players, and think about what makes for a really great version of a tune. If you have questions about how to make your own tunes the best they can be, we’ll try to answer them. We’ll consider how to play fiddle effectively with a banjo, with a guitar, and with a band, focusing some how to back up songs. We’ll learn the old time way, by ear and through playing.  (brownpaul@earthlink.com)

Beginning Guitar/Kellie Allen
True beginners welcome. Learn 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 demonstrate various old time guitar styles, explore jam session strategies and etiquette, and 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 listening to and appreciating different old time guitar backup styles. We may do some critical listening of some of those recordings.  (www.wakinguptillie.com or email kellie@wakinguptillie.com)

Intermediate Guitar/Hilary Dirlam
If you know the guitar chords E, A, D, G, and C, are working on F, and can break the chords up into bass note and strum, then you’re ready for intermediate old time guitar. We’ll work on keeping a strong rhythm, hearing chord changes, using alternating bass notes, and playing simple bass runs. We’ll apply these to simple tunes and songs.   Along the way we’ll run into a little theory, a scale or two, simple melodies and maybe even some gentle discussion about the dreaded circle of fifths. There will be plenty of time for questions and working on whatever interests us. I plan on offering an afternoon workshop covering some more complicated bass runs.  (silvervajra@gmail.com)

Advanced Guitar/Marcy Marxer
This class will assume that students are comfortable changing chords in most keys, keeping a solid rhythm and playing some melodies with a flatpick.  Each day will start with warm-up and fingerboard exercises.  This class will draw inspiration from the vast traditional music repertoire of fiddle tunes and old time country songs.   We’ll study the complicated runs of Riley Puckett, the back-up of Grady Martin,cross picking, and learn skills for backing up songs and fiddle tunes. We’ll play in several keys and map the fingerboard. (www.cathymarcy.com)

Dulcimer/Margaret Wright
All dulcimer skill levels are welcome.  The class assistant will be Margaret’s son, Lloyd; therefore, many student needs can be met.  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 fret board, 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 rote.  Music stands are discouraged.  Tunes will be from standard old time repertoire.  Jamming is a highly encouraged at all levels.  You must have a dulcimer that plays in tune, has a comfortable string height, no buzzes, a dulcimer capo, a chromatic tuner, and an extra set of strings and picks.  Your dulcimer must have a 6 ½ fret. (www.geocities.com/pickinwright or email margaretgwright@yahoo.com)

Beginning Mandolin/Rhonda Gouge
This class will consist of informative and fun songs and techniques specifically designed to help the novice get a good start in mandolin playing.  We will begin with basic strums and how to best hold the instrument and the pick.  From there we will progress to two-note chords, how to put chords together, and how to play simple three-chord songs.  A few basic scales and noting patterns will be explained in some detail, and students will have the opportunity to learn to play the melody to some simple old time tunes.  Every effort will be made to help students get a basic understanding of the mandolin as well as a foundation from which to progress to the next level.  One of the most important elements of the class will be the fun we will have during the week.  Questions will be very welcome.  (rgouge@ccvn.com)

Rhythm and Repertoire/Curly Miller and Carole Ann Rose
This class will feature old time fiddle tunes learned from the great recordings of the 1920’s - 30’s.  The tunes will be played slowly for recording purposes; we’ll provide source info and discuss various techniques and tendencies important to playing these pieces.  We will review chord structures and play them with banjo backup. Our repertoire comes from a variety of regional styles including Appalachia and Missouri.  Over the last 15 years, we have focused primarily on South Central U.S. fiddle band rags and the primal old time tunes of Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas.  Many of these tunes are in the uncommon and exciting keys of C, F, Bb, and Eb.  We will also be interested in your input to select other tunes from our repertoire.  (www.theold78s.com or email swedencreekfarm@dishmail.net)

Traditional Country Singing/Alice Gerrard
Singing is fun and definitely within reach!  It makes up a good seventy-five percent 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 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 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   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.  (agerrard@mindspring.com)

Beginning Fingerstyle Autoharp/Laura Boosinger
Autoharps were made to be played by musical novices!  If you are looking for an instrument to “get you into” traditional music this is the one!  You will learn the basics of strumming, changing chords and keys, singing with the Autoharp and a simple finger picking style.  We will focus on common folk songs and     material from The Original Carter Family.  You must have a fully strung Autoharp that plays in the keys of C, F and G, generally this would be a chromatic Autoharp and an electronic tuner.  Feel free to email me any questions. (lboosinger@charter.net)

NEW THIS YEAR: AFTERNOON MINI-CLASSES

We are excited to offer an additional selection of afternoon mini-courses this year. These courses run Monday through Friday.  Each course includes a daily one hour afternoon class (see schedule below) and requires separate registration and tuition ($85).

1:00 pm Blue Ridge Banjo Orchestra Class/Marcy Marxer, Curly Miller, and Carole Ann Rose
All banjos and banjo hybrids of all sizes welcome.  We’ll play old time tunes, ragtime tunes and a classical tune or two.  Our goal is to get as many banjos playing together as possible.   Players of all levels are welcome.  There will be a part for everyone.

1:00 pm  Intermediate & Advanced Mandolin/Rhonda Gouge
Brief review of chords and techniques as well as an introduction of new material and musical ideas, with basic focus on learning new tunes.  We will cover as many old-time tunes as possible with a concentration on old-time fiddle tunes.  Good rhythm, tempo, and timing will be emphasized.  Students who enroll in this class should have a basic knowledge of mandolin chords, how to put chords together in a key, how to keep time, and a working knowledge of noting patterns in the keys of C, G, D, and A.

3:00 pm Beginning Ukulele/Marcy Marxer
No prerequisite.  Bring a ukulele if you can, a few ukuleles will be available to play and/or buy.  We’ll start with easy chords and play as many songs as possible. Chord charts and song handouts will be provided.  Other items that may come in handy are: a Hawaiian shirt, an inflatable palm tree and chocolate. 

3:00 pm Songwriting Sojourn/Carl Jones
Explore creativity and encourage expectations. The cadence of conversation becoming the rhythm of a song, melodies springing from words and vice--versa. There will be some planned exercises but also a plan to just see what happens without a plan.

Free Afternoon Workshops

Free workshops are available every afternoon.  Some are taught by instructors listed above, while others are taught by students themselves.  They range from a one-day one-hour workshop to an hour every afternoon.  While most are program (old time music) oriented, some are non-related and just for fun.  Please let us know if there is a workshop that you’d like to take or that you’d like to teach!!

A full workshop schedule will be available during the program. 
Workshops scheduled as of now:
   2pm Beginning Bass
   2pm Shape Note Singing

Prices

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