Simple Fiddle Tunes of the American South on Mandolin with Mike Compton 

The class is geared for folks who have a working knowledge of the basics but want to ramp up their repertoire and knowledge of old-time styles a bit. Covering a sampling of old fashioned tunes in A, C, D, and G and possibly one open tuning. We’ll work through the tunes using simple chord positions, right hand rhythm patterns, downstrokes and tremolo. Advancing Beginner/Early Intermediate levels.

The objective:
Using simple melodic patterns students will gain a better working knowledge of the fingerboard in the keys listed as well as how to play more effectively in chord positions. The class will also learn some basic knowledge of oldtime mandolin rhythm styles.

Adapting Fiddle Tunes to the Mandolin with Mike Compton

The class will focus primarily on successfully transcribing fiddle tunes to the mandolin while keeping the fiddle feel intact. We will be using some of the more common keys, so nothing unusual. Possibly introducing one or two open tunings. Working on some tunes from a variety of artists including Narmour & Smith, John Hatcher, Snake Chapman, Sarah Armstrong, James Bryan and others.
Intermediate/Early Advanced levels.

The objective:
Learn how to play in that fiddle sound of slides, drones, double stops and pulses.The class will also learn and incorporate oldtime mandolin rhythm styles.

Crying and Shouting and Stomping: A Taste of the Country Blues with Mike Compton

The blues is one of the foundations of country and bluegrass music and is a vital link to understanding the entire scope of the culture.This class is designed to give players who are not familiar with the blues cousin of old-time and bluegrass a small glimpse into its various sounds and how it works. Intermediate

Objective:
The class will give attendees a brief working knowledge of blues grooves and straight
country blues and how to play them using simple mandolin chord positions as well as
show them to sing simple blues melodies while playing and backing themselves up
with a fuller sound.

Songs of the American South, Singing with Instruments with Laura Boosinger 

This workshop will feature some common and some not so common traditional songs from the American South. Songs from the Carter Family, Uncle Dave Macon and Bascom Lamar Lunsford will be included. Song sheets will be provided. Bring all the instruments and come on! And if you don’t play an instrument, bring your singing voice! All levels.

Objective: Learning to sing gospels songs in a group, sometimes with harmony! Enjoyment for all!

North Carolina Clawhammer Banjo Tunes with Laura Boosinger 

We will focus on tunes commonly played in North Carolina. Some are dance tunes and some are singing tunes. I’ll show you some variations on things you might already know. Depending on where you are in North Carolina, Sally Ann can be played in G or D! Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Shaped Note Singing from the Christian Harmony with Laura Boosinger 

The addition of shaped-notes to religious texts was introduced during the 18th century in New England in an effort to restore congregational singing. All Singing schools utilizing shaped-notes were instituted to instruct and to encourage lively group singing. The shaped-notes appear on the musical staff in place of the round-note notation, and accurately represent the syllables of the musical scale. The workshop will focus on learning the seven-note shaped-note scale. Our text will be William Walker’s Christian Harmony first published in 1866. Many old hymn favorites will be sung including “Prayer Meeting” (“Sweet Hour of Prayer”), “Coronation” (“All Hail the Power”), and “New Britain” (“Amazing Grace”). Everyone is welcome.

Objective: Learn the seven-shaped notation singing and learn to sing unaccompanied, four-part harmony.

Gospel Songs with Laura Boosinger & Mike Compton

So much fun material to look at! Most all can be sung in harmony. But no worries, melody singers are always welcome. Most of the songs will come from the American South. Lyrics will be provided. This will be a relaxing time to enjoy singing in a group with no pressure. Bring your instruments! Everyone is welcome.

Step-by-step Old-time Fiddle Bowing with Alan Mackie

There’s no secret, you just have to know how! In this class we’ll look at the basic physicality required to make fiddle tunes dance the way they do in Appalachian old-time. We’ll completely deconstruct a couple of common fiddle tunes and put them back together with all of the backs and forths where they need to be, and your right arm will become a machine that turns horse hair into square dancing.

Double Bass with Alan Mackie

A bird’s eye view of the upright bass, and its jobs in bluegrass and old-time music. In this class we’ll learn the scales and shapes we need to play the almighty two-feel and some classic bass runs, how to support the band and where to sit in the rhythm, how to read a guitar player’s left hand, and how to get a big fat sound out of this incredibly powerful instrument!

Cross-A fiddle Tunes with Alan Mackie

An overview of the most common alternate fiddle tuning in Appalachian old-time, where the fiddle is tuned to an open A chord. This is primarily a repertoire class, but along the way we’ll discover new shapes in the left hand, curious bow patterns, and open the door to bringing these ideas into the other tunings we use on the fiddle

Old-time Rhythm Guitar with Alan Mackie

An absolute crash course on how to accompany fiddle tunes in Appalachian old-time music. In this class we’ll learn all of the chord shapes we need, how to identify what the chords should be, how to sit in the rhythmic “pocket”, and some all-purpose bass runs.

How to Learn Tunes on the Fly with Alan Mackie & Jaron Freeman-Fox

This class is for you if you have a pretty good handle on your instrument, and you have a bunch of tunes that you know and love, but you struggle to sit in when people play tunes you’ve never heard before. Rather than learning lots of new repertoire, in this class we’ll take a look at some simple techniques that you can use to make your tune learning more efficient and how to make good music on the spot, even if you don’t know the tune.

Making Your Old-time Tunes More Old-time with Alan Mackie & Jaron Freeman-Fox

Let’s take a look at the deeper stylistic elements of Appalachian old-time – intonation, ornaments, rhythmic figures and time-feel. With a few new tools, we can totally bridge the gap between the melodies we know and the way they’re played at jams and square dances in their home.

Clawhammer G Tunes- Advanced Left-Hand Techniques with Jaron Freeman-Fox

Clawhammer D Tunes- Up-picking and Advanced Right-Hand Techniques with Jaron Freeman-Fox

Clawhammer F Tunes, & Venturing Up the Neck with Jaron Freeman-Fox

Bluegrass Fiddle Soloing OR Calico Tunes (depending on interest) with Jaron Freeman-Fox