The Education Directors of the Boston Bluegrass Union are proud to announce that once again, Master Classes and Fast Track! Classes will be offered during day that the festival begins, Friday, Feb. 17th. Classes will be offered starting late morning or early afternoon, and conclude before the festival begins in early evening.

2012 JOE VAL MASTER CLASSES

Master Classes meet from 11 AM-1 PM and from 2-4 PM, on Friday, February 17th before the festival begins. Tuition is $60/$65 early bird before January 15th (NOTE NEW DEADLINE), and $70/75 thereafter. BBU members receive a $5 discount.

Please register by writing to individual instructors. It is strongly recommended that you send in payment ahead of time to hold your slot, as many classes fill up in advance. Class size is limited to 15 participants. Early Bird discounts expire January 15th.

Songwriting taught by Claire Lynch
The songwriting class with Claire Lynch will cover tips and information for writing a solid song. Some subjects covered will be line construction, focus, lyric relation to melody, rhythm and rhyme, the re-writing process and simplicity of communication. 

Additionally, Claire will offer insights on staff writing for a publisher, pitching your songs and business aspects of songwriting. Students will be allowed to present their songs for helpful comments and constructive criticism. Q&A and group discussion will also be encouraged.

Long recognized and praised as a creative force in acoustic music, Claire Lynch is a pioneer who continually pushes the boundaries of the bluegrass genre. The current Claire Lynch Band is a powerful juggernaut, a quartet that has the innate ability to perfectly interpret the beauty, subtlety, and genre-defying sophistication of Claire’s music.
Claire’s career is fittingly bookended by two IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards:  in 2010, in recognition of her current work with the Claire Lynch Band, and in 1997, for her influential work with the Front Porch String Band, and as a solo artist. Claire was nominated for the 2011 IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Award. As a songwriter, her tunes have been recorded by such luminaries as Patty Loveless, The Seldom Scene, Cherryholmes, Kathy Mattea, the Whites and Stephanie Davis. 

For registration, email Claire: clairelynchband@gmail.com

 

Bass Master Class taught by Mark Schatz

This class will be open to bass players of all skill levels and we will explore the following: right and left hand technique, various options for getting from one chord to the next to add variety and color to the bass line, walking bass lines, and slap bass. We will also touch on bass set up, amplification, and tips for playing both onstage and in the studio and onstage. When folks send their payment in to me they are welcome to let me know what areas they especially want me to address and I will do my best to accommodate these requests.

If anyone wants to get a head start on the class they can purchase my two Homespun bass instructional videos from me. I will waive the shipping charge and charge a total of $50 for both. These will provide a good follow-up reference after attending the class as well. We’ll cover a lot of ground so feel free to bring recording devices or note pads. Looking forward to digging in and having fun, too.

Mark is a prominent figure in the new acoustic music scene. Twice named IBMA Bass Player of the Year,  he has toured and recorded with an impressive variety of artists including Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Maura O'Connell, Tony Rice, John Hartford, Tim & Mollie O'Brien, acoustic innovators Nickel Creek, and for the past four years with the Claire Lynch Band. He also acts as Musical Director for the internationally-acclaimed Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, which showcases his other talents - clawhammer banjo and Southern Appalachian clog dancing.
He has two solo recordings, Brand New Old Tyme Way & Steppin' in the Boilerhouse, both on Rounder Records. He's also released two instructional bass videos on Homespun. 

Contact Mark Schatz mark@footworks.org If you do not hear back within 24 hours, please feel free to call Mark at (443) 994-0589.

Bluegrass Fiddle Master Class Taught By Darol Anger 11-1pm

Darol's Bluegrass Fiddle Session: Greetings, fiddlers! This will be a 2 hour roller-coaster ride through the world of Bluegrass fiddle. We will be working with our instruments, and with our ears.  I hope to, first, have fun playing. That’s the most important thing, since none of us are gonna get rich doing this, I guarantee it. 

We’ll think about and play with soloing, backup, tonal concepts, phrasing, rhythm techniques, blues stuff, harmony and harmonizations. We'll probably take apart some standard tunes to see if we can make them fresh, polish them, make them our own, then ruin ‘em.   I also hope to touch on “problem” areas of the fiddle, such as those pesky keys like B, C & C#minor, high positions, intonation issues, things that might be diminishing our ability to have fun because they are difficult.

There will be some handouts, but we’ll mostly be going by ear. That means bringing the usual stuff: a recorder, a pencil, some music paper just in case, chocolate, legal drugs (such as coffee). Hope to see you there!

Exceptional among modern fiddlers for his versatility and depth, Darol Anger has helped drive the evolution of the contemporary string band through his involvement with numerous pathbreaking ensembles such as his Republic Of Strings, the Turtle Island String Quartet, the David Grisman Quintet, Montreux, the Duo and other ensembles. Today Darol can be heard on NPR's "Car Talk" theme every week, along with Earl Scruggs, David Grisman and Tony Rice. He has recorded and produced scores of important recordings since 1977, is a MacDowell and UCross Fellow, and has received numerous composers’ residencies and grants. He has been a featured soloist on dozens of recordings and motion picture soundtracks. 

Contact Darol at darolfmu@gmail.com

Bluegrass Mandolin Master Class, taught by Jesse Cobb

The main question I encounter in all the teaching I've done is, "How do I improvise?". While the question can't be answered with one definitive statement, I have been working on examples for years to help people understand how to change a simple melody into something more interesting. Improv can be thought of in many different ways, we will spend a good bit of time breaking down a fiddle tune or standard bluegrass number and finding different ways of spicing it up. We will also look at good practice habits, strategies for playing up the neck, ways to make your rhythm playing more creative, basic music theory, placing certain "licks" in songs, as well as other topics that come up naturally.

I would encourage any attendees to bring a recording device and pad and pencil. There will be some handouts, but we will also be working by ear quite a bit. I hope you will join me in this class with an open mind and mandolin in hand at Joe Val. Thanks~JC

Jesse Cobb has been playing the mandolin since around age 12 and has recorded on a long list of albums while living in Nashville, as well as being a founding member of The Infamous Stringdusters. He has shared the stage with mandolin heroes like Sam Bush, Dawg, Mike Marshall, Ronnie McCoury, Chris Thile and many others. With The Dusters, Jesse received a Grammy nomination in 2010 for his song Magic #9. He has also recorded on a Grammy winning project with Jim Lauderdale in 2008.  Jesse has taught music camps and workshops at festivals throughout the country including, Rockygrass Academy, Wintergrass, Grass Valley, Grand Targhee, and many others. He is currently at work on a mandolin improvisation course based on his own learning process. Jesse is also involved in a few new musical adventures and is working on material for his debut solo album coming later this year.

For registration, email Jesse at   mandocobb@hotmail.com

Banjo taught by Greg Cahill

The class is open to all players but will be aimed at intermediate to advanced students.  The primary focus of the class will be to help players create their own solos and compositions and how to play backup behind vocals and other instrumental solos. The concepts of improvisation and integrating the use of various banjo playing styles will be a key element of this presentation.

Creating Banjo Solos
We will study various intros and endings in different keys and positions and then learn how to find the melody and create a solo for vocal and instrumental selections.

Overview of Scruggs, Melodic and Single String Styles
This discussion will include basic chordal theory and how the common styles employ that knowledge. Playing basic scales will lead into creating licks and tunes in different keys.

Improvisation and Ensemble Playing
This segment begins with how to interchange licks and passages from tunes and songs with similar chord progressions and leads to learning how to transpose solos to different keys and positions.

Principles of Playing Backup
Here we will learn how to make transitions from solo to backup playing and how to play backup behind the common bluegrass instruments and behind vocal selections.

Greg has been playing bluegrass banjo since the early 1970s.  He formed The Special Consensus in 1973 in the Chicago area and the band became a full time touring (nationally and internationally) and recording entity in 1975. Greg has appeared on all of The Special Consensus recordings (fifteen audio recordings and one performance video) and has released three solo recordings (two with internationally renowned mandolinist Don Stiernberg and one with mandolin maestro Jethro Burns), one European bluegrass music recording (with renowned Czech guitarist Slavek Hanzlik) and four banjo instructional videos/DVDs (Musician’s Workshop). Greg conducts workshops and master classes at bluegrass camps and festivals worldwide, including Nashcamp (in Nashville, Tennessee); the Maryland Banjo Academy (sponsored by the internationally distributed Banjo Newsletter periodical, the British Columbia Bluegrass Workshops (BCBW) in Sorrento, BC, Canada; the Cabin Fever Bluegrass Workshops in Williams Lake, BC, Canada; and the Sore Fingers Summer School workshops in Oxfordshire, England.  He has taught banjo classes, private lessons and bluegrass ensemble classes at The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago for over 30 years and became the first adjunct professor teaching banjo as a member of the Columbia College (Chicago) Strings Department in 2011. Greg served on the Nashville-based International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Board of Directors for twelve years – the last four as President/Board Chair – from 1998-2010 and is currently the Board President of the Foundation for Bluegrass Music (also based in Nashville). He received the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2011.

For registration, contact Greg at Gcahillspc Cahill at gcahillspc@aol.com

 

FAST TRACK! Classes:

For Fast Track! this year we have bluegrass jamming with Tony Watt, August Watters on mandolin, Seth Austen on fiddle, Rich Stillman on banjo, and Beverly Woods assisted by Nancy Harrowitz on singing. Fast Track! Classes are for beginners or advanced beginners, and meet from 11-1 PM and 2-4 PM

Please register by writing to individual instructors. It is strongly recommended that you send in payment ahead of time to hold your slot, as many classes fill up in advance. Class size is limited to 15 participants. Early Bird discounts expire January 15th. Rates are the same as for Master Classes, with the exception of bluegrass jamming and singing (see details below):

Fast Track! Bluegrass Banjo taught by Rich Stillman

Indulge your dreams of being a bluegrass banjo player with this one-day course. The fast track is designed for total beginners or people who have struggled to learn from a book. The course will include four 45-minute group lessons and supervised practices. By the end you should have enough of a foundation in the bluegrass banjo style to play a simple tune or two and to continue learning on your own or with an instructor. I'll be taking you through right and left hand technique, chording and rolls, the basis for bluegrass banjo playing. We'll end by learning as much as we can of a simple but really good-sounding banjo tune.

If you don't have a banjo, let us know when you preregister at least a week in advance, and we'll try to get you a loaner for the day. Sorry, we can't do the same if you register later than that.

As a bluegrass banjo player, Rich Stillman offers over thirty years of experience performing with bluegrass bands such as Southern Rail and Adam Dewey and Crazy Creek.  He also plays banjo on bluegrass, folk, even rock and jazz studio recordings, and has extensive experience teaching banjo both privately and in groups.

Contact Rich at stillman@waystation.net

 

Fast Track! Beginning Fiddle taught by Seth Austen

Beginning Fiddle is geared toward beginning players, no previous experience on fiddle required. Possible topics to be covered include: learning how to play traditional fiddle tunes by ear, shuffle bowing, song accompaniment, playing fiddle "chops" and double stops, creating intros and fills. 

We'll discuss important basic foundations of playing fiddle including: developing good fiddle tone, improving intonation, economical fingering and ergonomics of playing comfortably. We'll also cover some basic music theory. This class is hands on, participants should bring a working fiddle and bow, rosin, shoulder rest, notebook, music stand (if you use one) and plenty of questions. A recording device is highly recommended. No knowledge of music reading required. All beginners welcome!

Seth Austen plays fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, banjo, ukulele, dulcimer and more, specializing in American roots styles including traditional old time Appalachian, bluegrass, fingerpicking blues and bottleneck, Celtic and New England contradance music; also Eastern European folk styles such as klezmer, Balkan and Scandinavian. Seth regularly performs concerts, coffeehouses, schools and festivals with duo partner Beverly Woods; has written two guitar instructional books for Mel Bay and also had arrangements published in various anthologies; recorded, produced and played on over 50 albums; and composed music for films. In 1981, Seth was a triple winner at the prestigious Walnut Valley National Flatpicking Championships, Winfield, KS, placing 2nd in fingerstyle guitar and 3rd in mandolin and fretted dulcimer categories. Seth teaches private lessons and group classes for students of all levels in New Hampshire and online, and has taught workshops at many music camps and festivals. You can visit Seth on the web at http://www.sethausten.com/.

Contact Seth to register at seth@sethausten.com

 

Fast Track! Bluegrass Mandolin taught by August Watters

Bluegrass is not a spectator sport, so pick up that mandolin and let's get going! Jamming is the main attraction of any festival, so we'll work on beginning or polishing up the skills you need for playing in the jam.

This quick-start class is for anyone who has just begun playing mandolin, or wants to start. There will be something to help everyone build on what they know. We'll cover chord forms, understanding chord progressions, learning tunes, soloing ideas, double stops, ensemble playing techniques, and anything else you want to work on. Bring your ideas, your questions, and let's jam!

The class will be taught by August Watters, mandolin multi-stylist and Associate Professor of Ear Training at Berklee College of Music. He grew up less than ten miles from Bean Blossom Indiana, where Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass, hosted his music festival. Watters is the founder of Boston Mandolins, the New England Mandolin Ensemble, and Cape Cod Mandolin Camp. He has performed with Carlo Aonzo, Don Stiernberg, Rich del Grosso, Radim Zenkl, Marilynn Mair, Steve Kaufman, Bill Keith, and Butch Baldassari. For more than 12 years he has been on the faculty of Berklee College, where he currently teaches ear training and multi-style ensembles. He has also taught Berklee's jazz/bluegrass ensembles as well as composition, vocal writing, sightreading, string labs and private mandolin lessons.

Contact August at awatters@berklee.edu

 

Fast Track! Bluegrass Jamming taught by Tony Watt

Have you ever wanted to join one of the many jams at Joe Val but feel you don't have the skills or experience necessary? Get on the Fast Track! to Bluegrass Jamming with instructor Tony Watt, who will teach you everything you need to know to get started, and answer some of the most mystifying questions of bluegrass jammers. Perhaps most importantly, you'll get the experience and confidence needed to jam with others by joining a group of people all focused on the same goal.

The Bluegrass Jamming (Slow Jam) Fast Track! is open to all bluegrass instruments, both rhythm players (backup) and lead players (soloing).

The workshop is open to all levels, but is geared towards beginner and intermediate musicians who are new to playing with others, or who have been frustrated trying to jam before. There are no prerequisite songs, and you don't need to be able to play leads on your instrument, read music, or sing. Students should be able to either play melodies and/or backup parts (for example mandolin, guitar and banjo players should be able to switch between G, C, D and A smoothly).

We will focus on the basics of bluegrass jamming such as keeping time, non-verbal communication and jam etiquette. The primary goal is to provide the students with the skills and experience needed to participate in bluegrass jams at all levels. Students should bring a playable instrument as well as picks, capo (where applicable), strap and electronic tuner. Advanced beginner and intermediate students should try to prepare a song to play and/or sing with the group, although this is not a requirement.

Please note: the cost of Fast Track! Bluegrass Jamming is $60 for BBU Members ($65 for non-members)

Contact Tony at tonywatt@gmail.com

Fast Track! Singing taught by Beverly Woods and Nancy Harrowitz

11-1 PM

Singing: The Basics

The first part of the class is for those of you who really would like to learn how to sing, but had trouble carrying a tune or not stressing your voice. This is also a good class for those who do already sing, but want to practice their breath support and learn ways of strengthening their voice through movement.

Part I will cover how to help that voice get out of your throat! In this class we will engage in a variety of techniques utilizing breath, sound and movement. Our goal is to increase fluidity and ease of breath and movement, and explore new territories of resonance. Loose clothing is recommended if possible. We will work on pitchmatching to help you stay on key, and have some fun singing simple melodies to get you going. No singing experience required.

2-4 PM

Singing Together: Having Fun with Harmony Singing

Want more harmony in your life? If you have always wanted to sing, or if you would like to improve your musical skills, this is for you! We will explore some of the singing styles employed in the music that became bluegrass, and teach you how to sing harmony at the same time. Traditional Appalachian ballad singing, shapenote, gospel, Carter Family style and others have a variety of vocal techniques and characteristic harmonizations. No previous experience required; you do not need to know how to read music, all that's needed is the desire to sing.

Both classes:
BBU members   -   $60 before Jan. 1st   -   $70 after Jan. 1st
non-members   -   $65 before Jan. 1st   -   $75 after Jan. 1st

One class:
BBU members   -   $30 before Jan. 1st   -   $35 after Jan. 1st
non-members   -   $35 before Jan. 1st   -   $40 after Jan. 1st

Beverly Woods has been in love with music since early childhood, when her mother introduced her to ballads, guitar, Appalachian dulcimer, and autoharp. She has played piano since age 5, and in college studied balladry and oral tradition along with classical voice and choral training. Beverly has been performing professionally since 1972, singing songs in traditional styles and playing an eclectic collection of acoustic instruments.

Beverly has released a number of recordings of traditional and original songs and tunes. For many years a well-known street performer in Boston, Beverly now performs mostly with her partner, Seth Austen, and in various ensembles. Beverly's song "Deepwater Horizon Disaster" was featured in the 60th anniversary issue of SingOut! magazine. Beverly and Seth are dedicated and empowering teachers at music camps and workshops around New England and beyond.

Nancy Harrowitz is one of the BBU Education directors, She has taught many workshops on beginning voice, at Steve Kaufman Kamp, the Joe Val Festival and at Cape Cod Mandolin Camp.

Contact Beverly at beverly@sethausten.com or Nancy at nancyharrowitz@gmail.com