SESSION ONE (12:30-1:40)
Layering Rhythms (all levels) Christylez Bacon, Felix Contreras, Josh Dukes
Students will learn the language of rhythm through jamming on stringed and percussion instruments (including beatboxing) using various techniques, such as call & response, transitional fills, etc. from several musical traditions. Small percussion instruments will be available to borrow.
Good Vibrations (all levels) Dawn Avery, Loretta Kelley, Nistha Raj, Phil Wiggins
Resonance, sonority, vibrations–all describe the effect that sound waves have on your ear. Did you know that you can produce sound waves with your instrument or voice that can cause an entire room to vibrate? Learn how to create rich, warm, penetrating tones, even if you have never played an instrument before. Learn how to fall in love with the sound of your instrument or voice. A few simple tunes will be taught. Suitable for all levels, any instrument and vocal.
Harmony by Ear (beginning/intermediate) Eric Byrd, Tina Chancey
This session will help singers find vocal harmonies in group singing. By using your ear you will be able to harmonize in almost any vocal context by not only hearing the melody but also adding colorful harmonies. Instrumentalists will learn to recognize the 3-4 basic chord progressions, and to navigate through them, creating cool counter melodies and bass patterns.
Appalachian Old-time Fiddling (intermediate/advanced) Alan Jabbour
Alan will teach Appalachian tunes by ear – slowly, phrase-by-phrase, including all the bowings and other stylistic devices, like assembling a building. He’ll also tell about the tune – how it found him, who taught it to him, what its shape and structure tell us. Once we’ve assembled the whole tune, we’ll speed it up – then we’ll really be playing in style!
SESSION TWO (1:50-3:00)
Connecting Improvisation Styles (all levels) Christylez Bacon, Dawn Avery, Felix Contreras
Learn to connect with yourself and others through improvisation that employs sounds and styles from around the world. Using Latin rhythms, Asian resonance, and Middle Eastern melodies and regardless of experience, you can enjoy playing music you create on your own instrument or one we provide!
Ornamentation Roundtable (intermediate/advanced) Nistha Raj, coordinator, with several faculty members
Ornaments add interest and define style. Several of the faculty members will demonstrate ornaments from their traditions, teach techniques for producing stylistically-appropriate trills, turns, slides, grace notes, and more, and talk about how to choose ornaments and where to place them.
Irish Tunes and Accompaniment (intermediate) Josh Dukes
Students will learn to play and accompany Irish traditional music by ear. This class will explore the many different types of backing styles, players, and tunes commonly found in the traditional Irish music world. The goal is to get students out of their comfort level and inspire new ways of playing and accompanying traditional music through one-on-one instruction and demonstration. Suitable for any instrumentalist at intermediate level, there will be a particular focus on guitar.
Intro to Blues Harmonica (beginning) Phil Wiggins
Participants will be introduced to the cross harp style of harmonica. The goals for the workshop are:
- to play good, clear, single notes
- to gain an understanding of the meaning of the words ‘cross harp’
- to play a 12 bar blues and an 8 bar blues using the I IV V blues progression.
Hopefully this will open doors to many fun jams and blues experiences.
Open to all ages. Harmonicas will be for sale at the event.
SESSION THREE (3:10-4:20)
Style: Irish v. American (intermediate/advanced) Alan Jabbour, Josh Dukes, Tina Chancey
Can you describe the difference between an Irish and an Appalachian version of Miss McLeod’s Reel? You’ll be able to after you take this workshop–we’ll talk about the ingredients that go into creating a ‘style’: that special mix of rhythm, improv and articulation that makes a tune sound like it’s from County Cork…or West Virginia.
Improvisation for All (all levels) Dawn Avery, Nistha Raj, Phil Wiggins
Everyone has music in them, sounds you can create at any level of experience – from the simplest groove, to a complicated call and response, come be part of this improv ensemble. Play your own instrument or an assortment of percussion provided
Get in the Groove (intermediate/advanced) Christylez Bacon, Felix Contreras, Loretta Kelley
Ever wonder why one musician’s playing sounds stiff and lifeless, while another’s sounds alive and exciting? Chances are, “groove” makes the difference. “Groove” are those subtle rhythms-within-rhythms that add fluidity and flexibility to music. Although usually talked about in connection with jazz playing, not many realize that any style of music can benefit from groove. Learn how you can add spice to your playing with groove! A few simple tunes will be taught. Suitable for intermediate level up, any instrument and vocal.
Beginning Gospel and Blues Piano (beginning) Eric Byrd
Pianists will learn how to play in two very similar but yet distinctive piano styles: Gospel and its evil twin, The Blues. The ability to read music notation is greatly encouraged but not entirely necessary. Students will learn the blues scale, intervals, left hand independence and basic gospel piano strategies to get a room full of church folk swaying back and forth.
SESSION FOUR (4:20-5:30)
Gospel Singing/Hip Hop/Prepare for Evening Concert (all) Eric Byrd, Christylez Bacon, Phil Wiggins, and more
African American Gospel Church singing has been and continues to be one of the strongest roots of American Music. Some of the greatest singers and musicians in other genres started in the Black Gospel Church. Come sing in an authentic gospel choir, singing songs that are blues based with a spiritual focus. Singers will gain insight on how to sing the blues, syncopation, rhythm, vocal improvisation, harmony group singing and more. The ability to read music is fantastic but absolutely not necessary for this session.
You’ll also get the chance to play your instrument, joining in on Hip Hop and other pieces. Bring in the techniques and approaches you’ve learned throughout the day, and get ready to wow the audience at tonight’s concert!
Soundcatcher: Play by Ear (beginning) Tina Chancey
For anyone who wants to pick up tunes by ear, SoundCatcher helps you combine what you hear with what you know to make an aural tune map. Don’t be paper trained!
Open Jam (all) Josh Dukes, coordinator
Time to stretch out and share your favorite tunes with others, practice new rhythms, and enjoy meeting musicians.
