WORKSHOPS

Banjo Workshop - Banjo Style of J.D. Crowe  

Next to Earl Scruggs, J. D. Crowe is probably the most influential bluegrass banjo player to ever pick up fingerpicks. In this workshop designed for intermediate to advanced players, we'll take a look at what makes J. D.'s sound unique. You'll go away with new licks for lead and backup playing as well as learn more about J. D.'s unique right hand approach. Several solos will be presented, with tab for all examples presented in the session.

Banjo Workshop - Bluegrass Banjo Jam Survival Skills  

This will be a practical "hands on and let's play" kind of session with practical and easy to understand tips and skills that you can immediately use in your next jam session or band rehearsal. Topics to be covered include the role of the banjo in a jam session and how to support different instruments and singers effectively with vamping, roll patterns and up-the-neck techniques. What kind of licks to use where, kick-offs and endings, navigating the keys of C and D, using the capo effectively to play in all keys, blues backup, 3/4 and fiddle tune backup and much more will also be discussed. This workshop is designed for all levels of students but is ideal for those who have one or more years of playing experience. Bill's group teaching method keeps everyone involved regardless of experience level. Tab examples will be provided but it's not necessary to read tab to get a lot out of this workshop. Audio or video recording is encouraged. Bring your banjo and a music stand if you have one!

Banjo Workshop - Earl Scruggs Essentials - What Every Player Should Know  

Knowing roll-based Scruggs style banjo is essential for playing bluegrass. In this "hands-on & let's play" workshop designed for all levels of players, Bill teaches a systematic approach to Scruggs-style playing. After a discussion of right and left hand mechanics and a quick review of roll patterns, Bill will move on to present many of Earl's favorite licks and techniques up and down the neck that you can use in both lead and backup. Bill will show how to combine roll patterns with left-hand techniques so you can create your own legitimate sounding Scruggs-style solos. You'll learn many of the things you've heard on recordings but perhaps had a difficult time figuring out for yourself. The class will also analyze together some of Earl's best known solos and learn to play them just like Earl! Tab examples are provided but it is not necessary to read tab well to learn a great deal from this session.

Banjo Workshop - Unlocking Melodic and Single String Styles  

In this "hands-on & let's play" style of workshop Bill will analyze melodic and single-string approaches, picking apart the right- and left-hand essentials. If you are unfamiliar with these styles, this is a great way to get started. If you already utilize these techniques, Bill's teaching will create a deeper understanding of the banjo fingerboard and these stylistic approaches. Complete tunes will be presented in each style. Recommended for "high" beginners to advanced level players who have experience with Scruggs-style banjo. Tab examples are provided.

Banjo Workshop - Working Up Scruggs Style Solos  

One of the greatest challenges for banjo players at all levels is finding the melody on the fingerboard and choosing just the right rolls and licks to create legitimate sounding solos. In this "hands on, let's pick" style of workshop designed for players of all ability levels, Bill will show you how to choose a key for your solo, how to find those pesky melody notes, and how melodies are related to chord progressions. He'll then move on to show how roll choices can enhance the effectiveness of solos as well as teach many basic licks that come up again and again in Scruggs' greatest solos. The class will then analyze several Scruggs solos presented in tab.

Fiddle Workshop - Classic Bluegrass Instrumentals  

Learn some basic and advanced versions of instrumental jam tunes that pop up in jams across the country. Don't get stuck just chopping in the background while everyone else plays Road to Columbus! In this workshop, National Fiddle Champion and professional bluegrass fiddler Megan B. Lynch will take you note for note through some of the most common bluegrass instrumentals and give you recordings and sheet music for several others. Both beginners and more advanced players are welcome at this workshop as Megan will have versions appropriate for all levels. This will be hands on and a ton of fun! Recording is encouraged.

Fiddle Workshop - Details, Details, Details!  

In this workshop Megan B. Lynch will show you how to take your playing to the next level - from any level! It's all about the details. How can you achieve better intonation? How can your bowing be a little more precise? How can your tone be a little more pristine? The answers to these questions and more will be revealed in this workshop.

Learn how recording yourself can make a huge difference and more importantly, what to do with what makes you unhappy about your playing. This workshop is about conquering the little things - and we all know, the little things can add up to one big thing - being a better fiddler! Recording is encouraged. This workshop is best for advanced beginners to advanced players.

Fiddle Workshop - Double Stops and Drones - Take Your Playing to the Next Level  

In this workshop National Fiddle Champion and professional bluegrass fiddler Megan B. Lynch will show you some great double stop patterns in many common keys (as well as some uncommon ones!) as well as how to add droning strings to give your playing a fuller sound. Megan will cover double stops in several positions, but never fear, the entire fingerboard will be worry free when you get done with this workshop! This is geared for more advanced beginners as well as intermediate/advanced players. Recording is encouraged.

Fiddle Workshop - Improvising, It Doesn't Have to Be So Scary!  

Ever wonder if there were some tricks of the trade when it comes to improvisation? National champion and professional bluegrass fiddler Megan B. Lynch will share them with you in this workshop. Learn how to play over chord changes, how breaks and solos are created, and last but not least, learn when and when not to play! Megan will reveal systems that will make your jamming and improvisation fun and successful. Also, learn how the bowing arm makes all the difference in your playing. Megan will show you several great techniques to immediately improve your bowing. This workshop is best for beginning through intermediate fiddlers who would like to improve their musical interactions with others. Recording is encouraged.

Fiddle Workshop - So, What Does the Fiddle Do In a Jam Again?  

Often, fiddlers are left out of bluegrass, folk, and singer/songwriter jams. They stand in the back, looking lonely and sad, mustering a measly long bow here and there, but otherwise barely contributing at all. National Champion and professional bluegrass fiddler Megan Lynch is ready to change all that.

The fiddle can be a great rhythm instrument, a fantastic accompaniment to a singer, and an all-around asset to any jam. Learn how to chop unique rhythms, play behind a singer, and kick off songs (some of which you may never have even heard!). Understand how chord changes actually matter in the life of the fiddle player and even better, what to do with that knowledge. Leave every jam feeling that you actually added something to the mix. This workshop is best for advanced beginners all the way to advanced players. Recording is encouraged.


So, What Does the Fiddler Do in a Jam Again?

Fiddle Workshop - The RIght Arm - Bowing Secrets Demystified  

Learn how the bowing arm holds the secret to being an authentic sounding fiddler, but it doesn't have to be a secret anymore. You will master fun techniques for improving your bow arm, get that fluid motion, learn several bowing styles and how they relate to various traditional fiddle styles, and finally, once and for all, play with great volume and tone. This workshop is best for intermediate through advanced fiddlers who would like to improve their bowing and timing. Audio and/or video recording is encouraged.

Jamming Workshop - Intro to Jamming  

For All Instrumentalists and Singers. Are you stressed out about playing in a bluegrass jam session with others? Then this workshop is for you! Designed for beginning and intermediate players on all instruments and singers who want to gain confidence and have more fun playing with others. Bill and Megan will review the roles of each instrument and get everyone started playing immediately on several easy songs played slowly! We'll discuss playing in other keys and using the capo, kick offs and endings, jam etiquette and knowing the unspoken rules of a jam session, how to hear chord changes, and try our voices in some harmony singing.

Jamming Workshop - Intro to Singing Bluegrass with Confidence and Soul  

Are you nervous about singing? Are you scared of jumping in and trying to grab a harmony part on the chorus? Do you stand in the back of a jam and hum quietly to yourself? Well, it's time to get in the singing game! Bill & Megan will help you figure out the right kinds of songs for you, what keys are good choices for your voice, and where on earth to find those darn harmony parts. Bring your voice, and a recording device to help you remember some great new tricks of the trade that will get you singing in jams without fear. OK, maybe not WITHOUT fear, but definitely with a whole lot more confidence!