workshop Schedule
Thursday February 22 Intensives (separate registration required) and Jams
Two-Chord Jam
Tom Petersen & Cliff Perry
Yes, you "2" can play! The workshop to embolden beginners kicks off the festival teaching all songs with only two chords. Taught in slow-jam fashion by veteran educators. Go from zero to hitting the Hyatt's halls in one hour. Experienced players also welcome to join the fun and set a warm, welcoming example.
Skill Level: Open to all
friday February 23
Banjo Styles in the Round
Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Mark Schatz and Jason Romero
Old-time banjo is as broad as the sky- with over 80 tunings and countless right hand techniques from clawhammer to fingerpicking and beyond, there are more ways to play each song or tune than you can count. In this workshop, we’ll compare, contrast, discuss, play and jam, showing off some of the beautiful versatility of the old-time banjo. And we’ll add a little bluegrass picking to keep the traditions moving forward as they naturally do.
Skill Level: Open to all
Whose Note is it Anyway?: Three-part Vocal Harmony
Joe Suskind, Crystal Lariza, Brian Alley, Kaden Hurst (Never Come Down)
The nuts and bolts of three part harmony! Learn how to find notes, blend with others, and not go crazy trying.
Skill Level: Open to all
A History of Bluegrass Music
Rob McCormac (Liam Purcell)
Transition from a broad overview of the history of the bluegrass genre to a detailed inspection of the numerous perspectives on the origins of the genre. Rob is a PhD candidate in Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University.
Skill Level: Open to all
Polishing Your Act: A Live Performance Master Class
Vicki Green
Several acts will be chosen in class to perform a song and receive on-the-spot coaching. Bring your instruments and song, or come to observe.
Skill Level: Open to all
Play Safe!
Dave Schorr
Got pain? Learn how to take care of your fingers, arms, shoulders and neck while you play, and get through the rest of your life (like working at the computer…). Ergonomics, stretches, exercises, tips and tricks to stay healthy.
Skill Level: Open to all
Fretboard Journal Vintage Instrument Tasting
Nina Gerber, Chris Eldridge, Tim O'Brien, Eli West
Fretboard Journal Vintage Instrument Tasting
Nina Gerber, Chris Eldridge, Tim O'Brien, Eli West
How to Improvise and Play Melodies with 6ths on Banjo
BB Bowness (Mile Twelve)
Moving around two note chord shapes frees up lots of possibilities to get started improvising for those players who want to expand their knowledge of the banjo fretboard.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Ways to Take Your Playing to the Next Level
Cory Walker (Tim O'Brien Band)
We will delve into a variety of topics from single string to Scruggs style, how to meld styles together cohesively, improving your improvisation among others.
Skill Level: Advanced
Mandolin Masterclass
Liam Purcell
Explore modern mandolin techniques with Liam Purcell. Passing on knowledge gleaned from the playing of Thile, Hull, Steffy, and many other great mandolinists.
Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Flatpicking on the Guitar
Roger Ferguson
Building solos while moving between basic chords.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Foundations of Bluegrass Fiddle Style Through the Classic Playing of Chubby Wise
Mary Simkin-Maass
In this workshop we’ll deconstruct a timeless Chubby Wise fiddle break, highlighting and practicing the elements (like syncopation and blue notes) that give it that classic bluegrass sound and feel.
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Bluegrass Mandolin Soloing
Korey Brodsky (Mile Twelve)
This workshop will explore a variety of ways of soloing over classic bluegrass vocal songs. We will talk about learning from the recorded examples of our favorite mandolin players and also creating our own ideas.
Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Bluegrass Fiddle
Shad Cobb (Tim O'Brien Band)
In this workshop we’ll play thru a few classic bluegrass fiddle kicks/solos in the style of Benny Martin and Chubby Wise. Discuss double stops, backing up a vocalist, playing long lines as well as chopping.
Skill Level: Open to all
Modern Bass Techniques
Jacob Smith (Liam Purcell)
Learn how to take your bass playing to a new level with Jacob Smith. Slapping, bowing, and exploration of the full range of the instrument.
Skill Level: Open to all
Playing the Dobro
Michael Kilby (Nick Dumas & Branchline)
Learn tips & tricks, Q&A and more.
Skill Level: Open to all
friday February 23 (continued)
Fiddle Melody vs Improv and Everything In-between
Ella Jordan (Mile Twelve)
Micro-improvisation/melody based improvisations, and then how to use theory/harmonic knowledge to explore creativity and navigate chords changes away from the melody.
Skill Level: Open to all
Where’s G on This Thing?
Mike Bub (Tim O'Brien Band)
40 years of practical experience condensed into an hour of my tips and tales as a “Need to Know” bassist.
Skill Level: Open to all
Building Guitar Solos and Establishing Rhythm Patterns
Daniel Thrailkill (Nick Dumas & Branchline)
This class should help teach and reinforce basic skills for guitar picking and strumming, by Q&A format.
Skill Level: Open to all
Everyone’s Jam. Be it a Ceilidh, a Hootenanny, a Shindig or a Songfest.
Ricky Gene Powell
Everything you need for a great jam session. Everyone is Invited! All Instruments & Voices.
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Making Songwriting a Practice
Evan Murphy (Mile Twelve)
We can't sit around and wait for inspiration to strike. Writing good songs consistently is a practice that takes dedication. In this workshop we'll take some of the mystery out of this huge art form, and talk through practical steps to make your writing habit more reliable and productive.
Skill Level: Open to all
Using Imagery to Bring Lyrics to Life
Anna Tivel
Tell me a photo; using imagery to bring lyrics to life.
Skill Level: Open to all
Song Arrangement & Innovation
Under the Rocks
Come meet Western Canadian bluegrass band Under the Rocks as they discuss and demonstrate how they use their differences as strengths, through their approach to arranging songs together. They will lead the group in re-imagining and arranging a standard tune in real time, that everyone can then play together.
Skill Level: Open to all
Playing the Banjo
Will McSeveney (Nick Dumas & Branchline)
Rolls and timing to keep the energy and groove of a band together, plus Q&A.
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Bluegrass Bass Playing
Dan Klingsberg (Mile Twelve)
Learn to develop natural and melodic bass lines for songs inside and outside of the bluegrass canon.
Skill Level: Open to all
Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar
Don Share
Learn to play basic bluegrass rhythm guitar out of the G, C, and D shapes. We'll focus on rhythm technique, bass runs, and bluegrass rhythm "punctuation."
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Playing Vocal Melodies on Guitar
Michael Daves (Tony Trischka's EarlJam)
In this workshop we will explore ways to render song melodies on to the guitar. We’ll draw on the rich world of bluegrass vocal ornamentation and phrasing to add convincing details to guitar breaks and improve the connection between the ear and the instrument.
Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced recommended, though all are welcome.
Fun Swedish Fiddle Tunes With Väsen
Olov Johansson & Mikael Marin (Väsen)
Learn a few fun Swedish fiddle tunes with cool arrangements. For all instruments. Participants should be able to play by ear and know their way around their instrument.
Skill Level: Open to all
Mandolin with Nick Dumas
Nick Dumas (Nick Dumas & Branchline)
Crafting solos, tips, tricks & rhythm technique, Q&A and more.
Skill Level: Open to all
Saturday February 24
Québéc-QUOI?
Genticorum and Le Vent du Nord
What is Québécois music? Genticorum and Le Vent du Nord will discuss and demonstrate this beloved French-Canadian music tradition. Be prepared to tap your feet!
Skill Level: Open to all
Québéc-QUOI?
Genticorum and Le Vent du Nord
What is Québécois music? Genticorum and Le Vent du Nord will discuss and demonstrate this beloved French-Canadian music tradition. Be prepared to tap your feet!
Skill Level: Open to all
Introduction to Bluesy Bluegrass Banjo
Dale Adkins
We’ll apply simple blues ideas, and explore rolls and phrases that make for easy but effective banjo backup.
Skill Level: Beginner
Twin Mandolins
Andrew Marlin (Mighty Poplar) & Joe K Walsh (Mr Sun)
Is there a more joyful sound than mandolins playing in harmony? Come hear Andrew and Joe play some twin mandolin tunes and discuss their approach to playing together. Bring questions.
Skill Level: Open to all
Arranging Fiddle Tunes for Strings
The Fretless
Come explore some of the arranging techniques used by The Fretless. Build your bag of tricks for string accompaniment and modern fiddle techniques.
Skill Level: Open to all
How to Play Songs on the Fiddle
Patrick McGonigle (Eli West)
In this class we will discuss how to effectively support the singer and song on your fiddle; where, when and how to play fills; how to take a break with melody vs imporvisation. I will also open the class up to questions about anything fiddle!
Skill Level: Open to all
Beyond Beginner Jam: Advance Your Jam Skills
Linda Leavitt and Tom Nechville
For players who have experience with bluegrass jamming and want to improve their jam skills. We’ll review the Nashville Numbering System, work on intros, outros, taking breaks, singing and listening. Participants should know the I, IV, V & vi of major keys and how to play in time. Bring one song you know by heart to call in the jam. Traditional acoustic bluegrass instruments only.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginners-Intermediate
How to Sing Harmony by Ear
Sue Thompson & Don Share
We'll introduce you to our intuitive method for learning harmony by ear. Come to the workshop prepared to sing.
Skill Level: Open to all
Mandolin Rhythm Five Ways
Matt Flinner
In this workshop, we'll take a standard song and look at five ways of playing rhythm on it in various styles. Students will get a variety of approaches to chord shapes and rhythm patterns in bluegrass, folk, blues and swing styles.
Skill Level: Open to all
Improvisation Techniques and Mapping the Fingerboard
Grant Gordy (Mr Sun)
We will explore a practical system of demystifying the forest of lines and dots on the guitar neck, and use it to expand our understanding of harmony, theory and melody; even rhythm! This heightens our ability to learn and understand tunes, break out of boxed-in improvisation, and train our ears.
Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Modern Bluegrass Bassist Coffee Hour
Max Schwartz (John Reischman & Old Acoustic)
In this workshop, we will address the concerns of bassists in modern bluegrass groups, define the creative and technical elements of our role in the music, as well as issues concerning practice, pain/technique, and more.
Skill Level: Open to all
Hammered Dulcimers from East To West
Simon Chrisman & Chao Tian (From Appalachia to China)
In this workshop, Chao and Simon will compare, contrast and collaborate, discussing and demonstrating their instruments, techniques, commonalities and unique approaches. Their dulcimers are tuned differently and each has unique techniques that enable sounds not often heard on the instrument known as “The Lumberjack’s Piano.” Expect magic and it will happen.
Skill Level: Open to all
SATURday February 25 (CONTINUED)
Jam Etiquette: The Do’s and Don'ts
Gina Astesana
Playing music with others is one of the fastest ways to advance your skills as a musician. Sometimes knowing the ropes is the only thing that stands between a picker and a jam.
Skill Level: Open to all
Building a Bluegrass Solo
Annie Staninec (Whiskey Deaf)
We'll learn a basic melody and a fiddle break to a classic song from one of the masters. We'll learn some fun licks and get into the details of the stylistic elements that make a bluegrass solo! This is a hands-on workshop, so bring your fiddle.
Skill Level: Intermediate, but all are welcome!
Cancelled
Come Learn a Few Hawktail Tunes
Hawktail
The members of hawktail will teach the attendees how to play a couple of their original compositions. All instruments welcome.
Skill Level: Open to all
How to Make Solo Bass Practice Fun!
Forrest Marowitz (Eli West)
Practicing the bass by yourself within a bluegrass context can often feel boring! In this workshop we will break out of a typical 1 and 5 practice routine, and find creative ways to make solo bass practice fun!
Skill Level: Open to all
Introduction to Bluegrass Mandolin
Hailey Pexton
We will explore bluegrass mandolin basics including the chop, melodic fills, chord shapes and patterns, and intro to navigating the fretboard.
Skill Level: Beginner
Introduction to the Dobro
Bob Evoniuk
By addressing the essential fundamentals of playing the Dobro, Bob will focus on the versatility of this unique instrument with an emphasis on “finding the melody” and developing one’s own style of playing. Discussion will also include the importance of each player finding a comfort zone with their gear – picks, bars, capos, strings, etc., Care and feeding of your Dobro and where to find educational resources will be discussed as well.
Skill Level: Beginner
Play A Fiddle Tune…We’ll Reimagine It!
Joe Craven
Bring a fiddle tune to share with the class and we’ll put it through the Global Rhythmic Harmonic Blender!
Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Soul Writing
Nat Keefe & Erik Yates (Hot Buttered Rum)
From the Brill Building to Music Row to the spare bedroom down the street, there are as many ways of writing songs as there are human beings who write them. What makes a tune a B-side instead of a set-closer? How can modern writers use bluegrass conventions without drifting into cliché? Come ponder these questions and bring some more of your own, along with a song or two.
Skill Level: Open to all
Never-Too-Late Academy
Tom Petersen and Cliff Perry
All day program for beginning musicians. Separate registration required.
Never-Too-Late Academy
Tom Petersen and Cliff Perry
All day program for beginning musicians. Separate registration required.
Never-Too-Late Academy
Tom Petersen and Cliff Perry
All day program for beginning musicians. Separate registration required.
Never-Too-Late Academy
Tom Petersen and Cliff Perry
All day program for beginning musicians. Separate registration required.
Never-Too-Late Jam!
Tom Petersen
The Never-Too-Late staff will host a jam for attendees to further practice their songs and skills, and get additional personal instruction.
Open to all (no registration required)
Wintergrass is a production of Acoustic Sound, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. EIN: 91-2103544
all photos copyright Maria Camillo