Bluegrass & Old-Time Workshops Saturday, February 20, 2010 Swedish American Hall 2174 Market Street San Francisco, CA map www.swedishamericanhall.com Show 11:00 am

ONLINE REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED but space is available in all workshops. Come on down to the Hall and we'll get you signed up. All 90 minute workshops are $30 and include free admission to the Bluegrass & Old-Time Revue! All ages welcome. 11:00 - 12:30 pm Ross Nickerson - banjo Ross Nickerson has launched a new series of workshops focusing on playing by ear, jamming with others, learning more about using chords, basic improvising, and getting away from tablature. Ross specializes in breaking down the many common obstacles unique to learning 5-string bluegrass banjo into simple practical terms. Other topics covered include exercises and drills, picking, timing, memorizing, improvising, jamming skills, and backup! This workshop will be ideal for intermediate students who need to raise their skill level and get more direction. Beginners can come and take notes and should come away from the workshop inspired with a much clearer understanding of what needs to be done. Ross will find ways to challenge more advanced players and make sure they come away with some new understanding, licks and tips. Kathleen Nisbet - Viper Central - fiddle In this workshop we will explore some of the different fiddle styles from Canada and the US and look at different bowing techniques for creating different sounds and feels. We will also look at fiddle techniques used for jamming or playing along with a band. Intimidated by improvising? We will talk about ways to build your confidence and musical vocabulary so that you can improve at any level. Steve Charles - Viper Central - guitar In this hands-on 2-part workshop participants will be exposed to bluegrass guitar techniques. We will learn the basics of bluegrass rhythm work through several traditional songs. In the second part we will focus on flat-picking and learn some simple tunes for jamming. Participants should bring their instruments and have a basic knowledge of the guitar. 12:45 - 2:15 pm John Reischman - mandolin In this class we will learn some tunes and songs from the Bluegrass and Old Time repertoire using double stops. We will also look at the bluesy style of Bill Monroe and other early Bluegrass practitioners. Basic technique, with emphasis on tone production will be addressed. Prerequisites--students should know all the standard bluegrass closed chop chords, and know some fiddle tunes and be able to play them at a reasonable tempo. Students are encouraged to bring a recording device. Dan Booth - 49 Special - bass This workshop focuses on a practical approach to technique and theory for bluegrass bass playing. Students will learn to play tasteful bass lines, leading tones, practical use of numbers, excercises to improve timing, and how to "fake it" when you don't know a song. They will also learn the fundamentals of old time, swing, country and rockabilly styles and techniques. Essential material for the beginning to intermediate bass player, and extra attention for advanced players who have reached a plateau. Viper Central - bluegrass harmony singing This workshop will specifically look at bluegrass two and three part harmony. We will learn some traditional songs and practise finding the different harmony parts. Participants will learn some basic vocal technique and warm ups. No experience is necessary. All levels will enjoy the wonderful experience of singing together! 2:30 - 4:00 pm Roland White - mandolin - CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS - Refunds will be issued or can be applied to John Reischman 12:45 workshop Topics will include right- and left-hand technique, chord shapes and how they work together, playing breaks to a songs, double stops, back-up, mandolin set-up, tremolo, acquiring speed, ensemble playing, and more, depending on the students' preferences and needs. Roland will spend some time with each student individually and provide chord diagrams and tablature handouts. The workshop should be equally beneficial to players of all skill levels. Steve Baughman - banjo Do the words "Zen" and "banjo" belong in the same sentence? They sure do. By tapping into the rhythmic trance aspect of old time banjo playing we can catch a glimpse of what it means to trancend ourselves. In this workshop we'll focus on internalizing the "bum ditty" technique that forms the basis of clawhammer banjo playing. We'll work on technique, not simply by moving fingers, but by breathing, relaxing, and learning to let the music flow from us without effort on our parts. Our goal is for beginners to learn an effortless right hand clawhammer technique that they can apply to tunes, and for intermediate players to deepen their relaxation as they play the banjo. This is hands on class and we'll spend lots of time during the workshop playing. Rank beginners through intermediates are all welcome. Evie Ladin - old-time harmony singing Old Time Harmony Singing - a highly participatory class that gets you deep in the pocket of the harmony singing with that particular old- time feel. Starting from the Carter Family, learn what choices make it sound old-time rather than folk or bluegrass. Evie Ladin leads a monthly sing at the Freight & Salvage, as well as appearing with the Stairwell Sisters and her new solo project, with her solo debut CD release on Feb 25 @ The Freight.

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