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3rd Annual California Banjo Extravaganza Banjo Mini-Camp Featuring Tony Furtado, Mark Johnson & Bill Evans
Saturday, November 15, 1 to 5 pm Instruction in both three-finger/bluegrass (Tony Furtado & Bill Evans) For all levels of bluegrass AND clawhammer banjo players, Furtado, Johnson and Evans will each teach two 75-minute small group sessions and then come together for a final session with all students. This is a hands-on, “bring your banjo and let’s pick” event with topics designed for beginning, intermediate and advanced banjo players and – a first for this year – both bluegrass/three-finger and clawhammer styles! Experience this unique opportunity to learn up close from three of the best players – and teachers – in the world. Don’t forget to grab dinner in downtown Berkeley and come back at 8 pm to enjoy an incredible concert! Hand outs are included in all sessions.
Session I: 1 to 2:15 pm Intro to Clawhammer/Clawgrass Style with Mark Johnson (beginner clawhammer players). Ideal for bluegrass players wanting to get started with the clawhammer style, Mark will cover the basic right hand techniques as taught to him by Jay Ungar and John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers way back in 1971. Mark will show how to find and play simple melodies in clawhammer style and you’ll try harmonizing melodies using string pairs. Working out Fiddle Tunes in Melodic & Single-String Styles with Tony Furtado (intermediate to advanced bluegrass). Explore the world of melodic and single-string banjo as Tony takes you through his approach to working out fiddle tunes. Emphasis on Irish tunes and alternate tunings! Getting A Great Bluegrass Sound with Bill Evans (beginner to intermediate bluegrass players). Designed for beginner and intermediate level players, and ideal for clawhammer players wanting to learn more about bluegrass finger-picking techniques. Bill will review basic right hand position with an emphasis on getting great tone and volume, fitting picks, playing roll patterns and using the forward roll to create exciting solos with great bluegrass drive. Playing with the metronome, using licks to add spice and knowing how to add rhythmic drive to the band will also be discussed.
Session II: 2:30 to 3:45 pm Intermediate to Advanced Clawgrass/Clawhammer Style with Mark Johnson (intermediate to advanced clawhammer players). This class is designed for people who already play clawhammer banjo who want to expand their understanding of right hand techniques, explore the fretboard and experience Mark’s amazing Clawgrass style. The class will explore more advanced melodies, playing back up and harmonies, creating intros to songs, using licks in different banjo tunings and learning to play Clawgrass “roll patterns” using a three-finger clawhammer technique. Progressive Right Hand Techniques for Bluegrass Banjo with Tony Furtado (intermediate to advanced bluegrass players). Unlock the secrets of single-string banjo with exercises, patterns, and scales that will open up new fingerboard pathways and improvisational ideas that you can use in all kinds of music – bluegrass, jazz and beyond. Essential Scruggs-style Licks, Intros & Endings with Bill Evans (beginner to intermediate bluegrass players). Earl Scruggs created the basic vocabulary that all bluegrass banjo is built upon. In this session, Bill presents many of Earl’s essential and most well-known licks, intros and endings, analyzing them in a way that unlocks the secrets of Scruggs style playing. From lead to backup, intros and endings and more, you’ll come out of this session sounding like a real bluegrass banjo player!
Session III: 4 to 5 pm Grand Finale with Tony, Bill and Mark and all students: Q & A, comparing styles and approaches, playing your requests and a concert preview. Note: Pre-registration is strongly recommended for this event. Those choosing to register on the day of the event should arrive by 12:15 pm, while others should arrive by 12:45 pm. While participants can choose any workshop topic, the instructors will present each topic for the level indicated.
About the teachers… Tony Furtado Northern California native Tony Furtado’s entrance onto the national stage came with him winning two National Banjo Championships while still a teenager and performing with Laurie Lewis’ band. Three subsequent solo CDs on Rounder Records paired him with such artists as Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas and Kelly Joe Phelps. Tony’s recording of the Beatles’ favorite “I Will” with Alison has sold millions of copies. He has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and shared the concert stage with such names as Greg Allman, Derek Trucks and Sonny Landreth. Tony’s banjo work fuses traditional and progressive elements, touching on Irish, blues and New Acoustic sounds. Learn more at www.tonyfurtado.com/tfbio.htm Mark Johnson Mark Johnson is the 2012 recipient of the Steve Martin Award for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. Mark has revolutionized the art of clawhammer banjo by adapting its techniques and rhythms to the demands of playing in a bluegrass ensemble. Calling his style Clawgrass, Mark has appeared with Martin and Kevin Nealon, appeared on Late Night with David Letterman and has performed with Tony Rice, among others. His CD Acoustic Rising with Emory Lester was nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association for Instrumental Album of the Year. An engaging performer, this is Mark’s first California tour. Learn more at www.clawgrass.com Bill Evans San Francisco Bay Area musician Bill Evans is an internationally recognized banjo life force, acclaimed for his playing, teaching and writing. Bill’s 2012 CD In Good Company topped both folk and bluegrass charts and was named to many “Best Of” Lists. His most recent CD is Fine Times At Fletcher’s House, recorded with 82-year old Chattanooga, Tennessee fiddling legend Fletcher Bright. His book Banjo For Dummies has been translated into French and look for Bill’s new book Bluegrass Banjo For Dummies in February 2015. Bill has shared the Freight stage with a host of local and national performers, including David Bromberg, Claire Lynch & Noam Pikelny. His monthly performances with Bangers & Grass, a virtual California bluegrass super group, at the Kensington Circus Pub draws packed houses and standing ovations each month. Learn more at www.billevansbanjo.com. Questions? Email Bill Evans at bill@billevansbanjo.com. |
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