 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
ACOUSTIC SESSIONS Acoustic Guitar Workshops & Classes
Overview and Class Descriptions
Acoustic Sessions workshops are hands-on practical sessions dedicated to teaching the many styles and techniques of acoustic blues, ragtime, and swing/jazz guitar. Woody Mann, known through his many recordings, books, and videos has been teaching guitar workshops all over the world for over two decades. Together with Trevor Laurence, he is now conducting a series of workshops in New York City and locations throughout the USA and Europe. The workshops are open to guitarists of all levels -- from beginner to professional. Space is limited so less experienced players will not get left behind and advanced students will receive instruction appropriate to their level. Workshops are designed so that, in addition to learning new repertoire, students have the opportunity to play music together and are given fresh ideas and new approaches that will keep them on track long after the workshop is over. Each day is scheduled to include group as well as individual instruction. All materials and master tape are included at no extra charge.
Acoustic Sessions had been expanding over the last few years. Our flexible schedule offers a variety of workshops. This season includes three semesters of evening classes and weekend workshops in New York City, as well as weekend workshops throughout the USA. In addition, we have expanded our New York studio schedule to include single-evening sessions, requested workshops, and guest workshops. We are also very excited about our weekend and residential workshops in Europe.
Classes
Special Guest Workshop - Duck Baker
Class descriptions
Special Guest Workshop - Duck Baker
New Approaches to Classic Blues Themes (Friday, Oct 18, 630-930PM) $75
One ongoing problem for guitarists who like to play blues is overcoming the tendency to get bogged down with the same ideas. Each picker develops a certain vocabulary of licks and becomes dependent on them. This workshop not only presents arrangements designed to broaden technique, but introduces a whole range of new licks that can be used when playing fingerstyle blues, and shows how to keep expanding on one's vocabulary of licks.
Click here to registerSpecial Guest Workshop -Mike Dowling
Beyond Bottleneck Blues (Sunday, Oct 27, 10Am -5PM) $175
The emphasis will be on melody, tone, and syncopation as Mike shows you how to use the bottleneck slide in a Piedmont style to add expression to your fingerstyle playing. Mike will use tunes from the Mississippi John Hurt repertoire as well as some of his own bottleneck compositions to explore techniques for incorporating slide with melody, including fretted chord forms, turnarounds, and crisp right- hand patterns that keep it all moving along. This class is definitely hands on with ample time set aside for ensemble playing. Students will play in open D and G tunings and should be able to play a basic alternating thumb fingerpicking pattern."
Click here to registerBeginning Fingerstyle Blues Guitar
This class is an introduction to the alternating bass fingerpicking techniques used in acoustic blues music. Rather than relying on the memorization or patterns, students will learn to pick steady bass lines with their thumb while using their fingers to pick simple melodies. Practice of the songs and techniques taught in this workshop is the first step toward developing a solo fingerpicking style with independent bass and melody lines. Knowledge of first position chords is required.
Click here to register
Swing Guitar Basics
This class is an introduction to the basics of swing guitar playing. Starting with getting the relaxed groove of swing rhythm, we'll learn basic movable chords, classic swing progressions, and standard tunes. We will look at ways to improvise off of a melody and chord progression, as well as how to play off of a "lead sheet" and develop soloing ideas. An introduction to music theory will also be presented. No previous experience playing swing music is required.
Click here to registerAcoustic Blues Repertoire: The Roots of Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson is one of the most storied figures in blues history. He drew influence from and was inspired by many of the great country blues guitarists that preceded him. The songs of such great guitarists as Son House, Charlie Patton, Lonnie Johnson and Scrapper Blackwell will be taught. Students will be shown how these songs and guitarists shaped Robert Johnson's arrangements and playing style. The songs cover open tunings, syncopated picking ideas, and ways to improvise within a song. The class is a fascinating look at a great artist whose music offers us a cross-section of sounds and styles of country blues guitar.
Click here to registerAcoustic Blues Repertoire: Big Bill Broonzy and Blind Blake
Big Bill and Blind Blake were two of the greatest ragtime blues guitarists. In this class we will take a look at the ways they developed their sound and technique. While learning some of their greatest songs, we will deconstruct their seemingly complicated fingerpicking style into a workable and practical approach. This is a class for people who are comfortable with basic alternating picking.
Click here to register
Acoustic Blues Repertoire: Open Tunings and Bottleneck
This class deals with understanding the basics of altered and open tunings and bottleneck paying. Though commonly thought to be difficult, the blues repertoire of open and altered tunings is actually simpler to learn than the standard tuning repertoire. The class will explore picking approaches and new chord positions in Open D, Open D minor, Open G, drop D, drop DG and other tunings. After becoming familiar with alternate tunings, the basics of bottleneck slide in open D and G tunings will be introduced. Songs include the repertoire of Blind Willie Johnson, Skip James, Tampa Red, Memphis Minnie, and Charlie Patton. No previous experience playing in open tunings or with a slide is necessary. Bring a bottleneck.
Click here to registerAcoustic Blues Repertoire: Mississippi Styles
One of the richest traditions of blues guitar developed in Mississippi in the 1920s and 30s. From the Delta region alone there were several styles, techniques, and sounds from musicians as musically diverse as Charlie Patton, John Hurt, Robert Johnson, and Skip James. This is a repertoire class that will focus on the techniques, tunings, and approach of some of Mississippi's most famous exponents as well as the obscure, but no less great guitarists whose music offers some of the most beautiful sounds in country blues. Woody will be teaching new songs not covered in last years Mississippi workshop.
Click here to registerAcoustic Blues Repertoire: Ragtime Blues
This class will concentrate on learning the tunes of many of the great ragtime players including Blind Blake, Willie Walker and Blind Boy Fuller Woody will demonstrate and teach ways to develop a syncopated picking technique and show you how to get the 'texture' and swing of the music. This is a class for people who are comfortable with basic alternating picking and are looking to enhance their playing with fresh and exciting new repertoire.
Click here to registertop
Practical Music Theory for Guitarists
This workshop presents a practical explanation of basic music theory, focusing on ways to apply and 'hear' the information in a simple and direct way. Woody will start from basics and progress slowly through the understanding of key signatures, scale and chord construction, progressions, and the relationship of harmony, melody, rhythm and form. Most importantly, the emphasis of this workshop will be on understanding music theory as a practical, natural part of your music. Even if you have had some theory background, this class will offer you a fresh perspective.
Click here to registertop
Fretboard Logic/Fingerstyle Improvisation
The Fretboard Logic workshop focuses on syncopated fingerstyle picking techniques and practical approaches to 'playing off' the chords within a song. By learning songs from the repertoire of some of the master solo fingerstyle guitarists, we will look at practical and simple ways to develop syncopated rhythms in your picking, expand harmonies by 'breaking down' chords, and create variations using these simple techniques. Woody will illustrate how the techniques of traditional country blues form a basis for various styles of guitar playing including ragtime, swing, early jazz, and contemporary sounds. This is a class for people who want to take alternating picking to the next level. It offers a fresh new repertoire of sounds and songs to build on and ways to apply the ideas to your own music.
Click here to registerThe Guitar of Rev. Gary Davis
This weekend is devoted to learning the many guitar styles and techniques of one of the greatest gospel and ragtime guitarists. We will learn tunes from his vast repertoire of ragtime instrumentals and gospel songs. Due to it's popularity last year we are offering the workshop once more with additional repertoire not taught in previous sessions. Davis' picking techniques and harmonic ideas are some of the most sophisticated and unique in fingerstyle guitar music, making it a perfect forum to develop your repertoire and your understanding of picking and chordal techniques. Woody will play the original tapes of his lessons with Davis, offering a fascinating insight into Davis' life and teaching. This is always a special weekend.
Click here to registerSwing Playing Sessions
These jam sessions are designed for students who want to improve their ability and confidence while jamming in the swing/early jazz style. Students will learn common swing chord progressions and standard tunes often played at jam sessions. Reading "lead sheets" and practical concepts for soloing, including the use of chord tones will be covered. A basic knowledge of swing chords or attendance of the Swing Guitar Basics class is recommended. Knowledge of swing repertoire is not required.
Click here to registerWorld Rhythms for Guitarists
Percussionist Danny Mallon will teach rhythms from various styles of world music including African, Caribbean, Brazilian Sambas and Bossa Novas, and other South American dance rhythms. Together with Woody Mann, Danny will illustrate how these rhythms can be adapted into guitar fingerpicking and strum patterns. Students will learn how these rhythmic grooves can add dynamics to solo playing as well as new ways to accompany and arrange a song. This is a practical session where students will have the opportunity to apply and practice new rhythms in a group setting.
Click here to registerGuitar Recording Workshop
Renowned recording engineer Don Sternecker, owner of Mix-o-lydian Studios, will give an overview of techniques used in recording acoustic guitar and vocals. Whether you are preparing to produce your first CD in a studio or looking to record a demo with home-recording equipment, this workshop will help you to get the most out of your equipment and studio time. Topics covered will include mixing, editing, microphone placement and various recording techniques. A 1-hour talk/ workshop on arranging will be taught each day by Woody Mann. This workshop is a continuous two-day program.
Click here to register
acoustic sessions ©copy2002 All rights reserved