Tuesdays, 7:45-9:00 pm, beginning September 10
$120.00 advance / $130.00
after September 2
Register online
This
class is open to all bluegrass instrumentalists and singers who want to
move beyond slow jams but aren't quite ready for on-stage performances
(or buying matching outfits and hitting the road in an old bus!). We'll
tackle slightly more challenging jam favorites from Bill Monroe, Flatt
& Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, and others, eventually playing them at
medium to medium-fast tempos. We'll learn the fine art of singing
bluegrass harmonies, how to construct instrumental solos and how to play
tasteful and appropriate backup. We'll also discuss how to kick off and
end songs and tunes and how to create dynamic and exciting
arrangements. In the process, we'll explore waltz time, country flavored
songs, fiddle tunes, banjo breakdowns and contemporary bluegrass while
becoming familiar with the unspoken rules of bluegrass jam etiquette.
We'll discuss keys, capo use for guitar and banjo, chord progressions,
song structure and much, much more.
Bill will teach a couple of
new songs in the first class session and discuss the ground rules for
bluegrass jamming. In weeks two to four, each class member will present a
song or tune of their choice to other class members, with the help of
Bill and other class members, just as you would in a real jam session.
In weeks five and six, we'll choose our most popular or challenging
tunes that we've learned throughout the session and work on them more
extensively, coming up with solos and refining arrangements and vocal
harmonies. You'll come away from the class knowing your role in a
bluegrass jam session and how to quickly begin playing along, even on
tunes that you have never heard before!
*Pre-requisites: This
class is for singers and for those who play bluegrass instruments
(guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, Dobro, and bass). Participants should
know how to fret major and minor chords, be able to play basic
accompaniment patterns on their instrument. If you're a banjo, fiddle,
mandolin, or dobro player, you should be able to successfully play one
or more tunes (but not necessarily up to speed). Guitar and banjo
players should also have some familiarity with using a capo.
Bill
Evans is the author of "Banjo For Dummies," the most popular banjo
instructional book in the world, and is the co-author of "Parking Lot
Pickers Songbook: Banjo Edition." A UC Berkeley Music doctoral
candidate, he has taught literally thousands of players all over the
world in a teaching career that spans over thirty-five years. Bill's
instruction is hands-on and practical—he wants you to get out there
playing as soon as possible and have fun doing it! A very well known
Freight performer, Bill has performed with Dry Branch Fire Squad, David
Grisman, Peter Rowan, Jody Stecher, Laurie Lewis, Bluegrass Intentions,
Kathy Kallick, Megan Lynch, and Steve Smith, Chris Sanders and Hard
Road. He has also taught ensemble classes at most every major bluegrass
camp in the world, including the CBA Music Camps, Augusta Heritage
Center's Bluegrass Week, Camp Bluegrass and NashCamp. For more info
about the class or to see if you're a good fit, feel free to email Bill
directly at bevans@nativeandfine.com or phone 510-528-1924.
Visit Bill's website