Bluegrass Instrumental Course – with Bruce Thompson and Sam Katz

April 29, May 6, 27 and June 3

5:45 pm – 7:45 pm

$195

For instruments: Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin, Bass, Banjo, Dobro

Experience level: students should be familiar with basic chords and have done some melodic playing as well.

Instructors: Bruce Thompson and Sam Katz

Summary: This course is intended for folks interested in learning bluegrass instrumentals (fiddle tunes) commonly played at jams. Each week we will focus on at least one instrumental tune. Students will have the time to listen and prepare tunes in advance of each class Links to audio and/or video examples as well as music (standard notation and tabs) will be provided. Each class will review the tune as a group then divide into small groups to work on playing the tune together. We will also discuss learning techniques and tools such as StrumMachine and a metronome. Students will become familiar with the tunes covered in the course and develop techniques to quickly learn new tunes.

Topics:

Memorizing, learning and mastering a melody

Learning the rhythm part and accompaniment

Switching from rhythm to lead parts

Setting the tempo, kickoffs and endings

Leading the tune in a group

Improvising ideas, tips and techniques

Jam etiquette

Possible Tunes (subject to change):

Angeline the Baker (D)

Old Joe Clark (A)

Soldier’s Joy (D)