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M-D
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| Joined: | Sun May 11th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 5 |
| Instrument Interest: | Clawhammer Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Other |
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Posted: Sun May 11th, 2008 06:00 pm |
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Join us for two fun-filled days of old-time music workshops by Billy Mathews and Colin Blair.
These are workshops for banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, all played in the old-time way, but they also will concentrate on playing well with others.
When: 15 and 16 August, 2008
Where: The Inn at Mountain View
Mountain View, Arkansas
Please see the link for reservations and more details. You may also contact me for more information concerning the workshops.
http://www.theinnatmountainview.com/workshops.html
Hope to see some of y'all there! 
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M-D
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| Joined: | Sun May 11th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 5 |
| Instrument Interest: | Clawhammer Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Other |
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Posted: Sun May 18th, 2008 04:48 am |
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We've finalised the format, so wanted to update everyone.
Each day there will be four workshops. Billy will be doing the fiddle and guitar workshops, while Colin will be doing the mandolin and claw-hammer banjo workshops. Each workshop will be 3 hours or so, long. There'll be more to it than just learning tunes, but each workshop will be learning the same tunes. This is important because we'll be playing these tunes each night as a group in the instructed-jam portion of the workshops.
Since two of the workshops will be running simultaneously, it will not be possible to take more than two of the workshops. How we schedule that will depend on the number of people who want to take which extra workshop. So, as of now, there is no firm schedule of times, nor which workshop will be opposed to which.
Also, the extra workshop, for those who choose that, will have a reduced rate of $35.00. That would bring the total workshop fee to $85.00, in addition to the room rate.
Each workshop will have its own CD, too. We'll be learning these tunes very well while we're there, but the CD will be a good back-up for those spots that might need touchin' up at some later date.
As far as I know right now, there will be no notation/tab provided. This could change, but the learning will be by ear. These tunes will not be overly difficult, and we wont be flying through them, so this shouldn't be a problem. If anyone hesitates because their ear isn't good enough, in their estimation, let me stress that the quickest way to develop it is to just use it, and this type of learning environment is a sure way to accelerate that process. It can be frustrating, if we let it be, but that needn't be the case. Being immersed in this type of environment pays dividends long after the fact, both in terms of ear-training, as well as playing with others.
The fastest way to accelerate one's growth, musically speaking, is to play with others. Too often it seems that folks are reluctant to do so, thinking that they'll do it "when I'm good enough." That type of thinking holds one back, and greatly prolongs that day of being "good enough". Everyone makes mistakes, so get over it. And the best way to get over it? Play with others.
The tunes we'll be learning are not going to be especially difficult. This allows them to be learned quickly, but also to repeat them easily in the jam. But, they're not going to be things like Shortnin' Bread, neither. If you know Billy, you know that he knows hundreds upon hundreds of tunes. I've asked him and Colin to limit the selection to Ozarks tunes, of which little is written and known outside of the Ozarks. This will put some of those tunes "out there" so that others may learn them.
What sets this workshop apart is that we'll be learning how to play old-time music in an old-time way, and this will be true for every instrument. Too often what makes old-time distinct is overlooked, and what are old-time tunes get played in some other way. Well, playing an old-time tune doesn't inherently mean that one is playing old-time. There are some very subtle differences, and some very overt ones. This knowledge is rapidly being supplanted by other genres of music, and influences. We're seeking to preserve the music and the style, as well as pass the knowledge along for future generations.
And finally, we'll have snacks available on Friday night at the jam, so as to keep the brain working. But, it has long been the tradition at The Inn to have a pot-luck supper on Saturday night at the workshops, and this workshop will be no exception. The Inn will be providing some of the food, with the locals providing the rest. Y'all from "off" needn't worry about contributing. There will be an abundance of food. Just enjoy yourself, and eat up!
To sum this up: Two days of workshops, with an instructed jam each night. Snacks on Friday night, with a pot-luck supper on Saturday night. All with some great instruction, camaraderie, and music! How can you beat a deal like that?
So, call Mark and Jo Ann at The Inn, get those reservations made, then eagerly anticipate the day when you'll be here. August is not that far away!
If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
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M-D
Approved
| Joined: | Sun May 11th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 5 |
| Instrument Interest: | Clawhammer Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Other |
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Posted: Wed May 21st, 2008 08:04 pm |
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This is much sooner than I expected, but due to an unavoidable situation we're having to change the format of the workshops. This shouldn't pose a problem for anyone, and in fact should make it easier for most.
Here's the schedule, complete with times.
Friday, 15 August
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM -- Old-Time Guitar Workshop (Billy Mathews)
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM -- Old-Time Mandolin Workshop (Colin Blair)
7:30 PM - ? -- Instructed Jam (Billy and Colin)
Saturday, 16 August
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM -- Old-Time Fiddle Workshop (Billy Mathews)
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM -- Old-Time Banjo Workshop (Colin Blair)
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM -- Pot-luck Supper
7:30 PM - ? -- Instructed Jam (Billy and Colin)
This way one may take all four workshops if desired, with no overlap, yet still participate in the jams for both nights. True, fiddle and banjo wont already know the tunes on Friday night, but this will give a leg up on them, as well as hearing pertinent information that is essential to all instruments, and as a group. And, sometimes it is that merely listening to what's happening is better than trying to actively participate. It's very much a process of osmosis, and is something built upon.
The bulk of time for the workshops will be spent on learning to play together, rather than on each instrument, as is normally the case. We'll be having discussions during these jam times, too, so it wont just be time spent playing, as in a normal jam. This is why it is important to be here for both nights. None of the time spent will be wasted, I assure you.
Now, obviously one will have a lot of free time should one only be taking a single workshop, but there's no shortage of things to do, places to visit, etc., in Mountain View. Music is a constant here. I'll be happy to point out places of interest.
Okay, we're a GO on this! Please write if you've any questions.
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M-D
Approved
| Joined: | Sun May 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 5 |
| Instrument Interest: | Clawhammer Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Other |
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 02:36 am |
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The Inn at Mountain View has updated their page on the workshop. There are still some slots available in all the workshops, but only a couple to a few.
http://www.theinnatmountainview.com/workshops.html
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M-D
Approved
| Joined: | Sun May 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 5 |
| Instrument Interest: | Clawhammer Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Other |
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Offline
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Posted: Sun Jun 29th, 2008 04:46 pm |
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Billy has updated his blog. We're all pretty excited about this series of workshops! 
http://www.banjobilly.net/billyblog.htm
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Current time is 05:54 am | |
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