Course Descriptions

Amy Alvey

Let's balance your tune repertoire with a healthy diet of notey breakdowns and rags! We’ll work on execution, drive, and melodic variations to pay homage to source fiddlers while developing your unique sound. We welcome fiddler's who are willing to stretch out of their comfort zone, however, to make the most out of this class and for the other students we would recommend the following:

1) Have a comfortable grasp of your first position frame

2) 5+ years experience on the fiddle

3) Comfortable at picking up tunes at a jam at a moderately fast tempo

Expect some double stop work and even 2nd and 3rd position fingerings. Other concepts may be explored based on interest, including but not limited to: alternate tunings, tone, and music theory.

Tricia Spencer

Tricia will teach her approach to old time fiddle built upon the shortcuts her grandma, Iona Spencer showed her when she was young. These are things every fiddler should know but maybe haven’t picked up along the way. This chord-based approach teaches seconding first and then how to find fiddle tunes in the chord shapes. Tricia will also teach some of her bowing techniques and how they generally apply to fiddle tunes.

Rachel Eddy

During this banjo class, we will focus a lot on being solid players.  Together we will work through several tunes that have helpful techniques and concepts to explore, and how to apply those ideas to tunes you already know.  For this level it is important that you be able to play in both G, double C, and Sawmill tunings. Having a really good economy of motion with your claws, drop-thumbs, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and being able to play up tempo will also be helpful.  I teach only by ear, video recording is encouraged in a session at the end of class each day, and audio recording is always welcome.

Evie Ladin

With facility on basic right hand skills and G and C tuning, we’ll explore both right hand techniques and syncopations, and left hand fluidity moving around the neck. Fiddle tunes, songs, changing tunings, we’ll work on bridging whatever gaps you may have for picking up tunes on the fly, backing yourself up, playing in groups. Always exploring that mix of melody, harmony and rhythm that makes each clawhammer player’s interpretation unique.

Sam Gleaves

This class is designed for “just past beginner” clawhammer banjo players who play a few basic tunes and songs. Skills for jamming with other musicians will be a main focus of the class, including how to use the three main banjo tunings: G tuning, double C tuning, and “sawmill” modal tuning. Students will build up their rhythm and melody playing while learning standard songs and tunes, jam session favorites. Tunes will be demonstrated slowly and broken down phrase by phrase. The class will be taught by ear using a listen-and-repeat method, but tablature will be provided for further study of the tunes after class. Participants will need a five-string banjo and a capo. The atmosphere will be welcoming and we will have a big time! 

Melissa DuPuy

This class will explore creative rhythm guitar techniques for both ensemble and duos. We’ll cover open tunings, chord substitutions, crosspicking, sock chords and Western swing rhythm and progressions, Celtic accompaniment, as well as fingerpicking. You’ll learn how to build your own musical arrangements, play with more groove and color, and create rhythm parts that really support the music. This class is for more experienced players who want to take their rhythm skills to the next level.

Josh Goforth

Guitar is one of the most versatile instruments in traditional music. This class will explore a broad range of topics to help you become a more adaptable player. We will cover multiple rhythm patterns, bass runs, secondary chords, simple melodic lines and stylistic nuance for different styles of traditional music. A good foundation is necessary to live up to your full potential as a guitarist so every topic will be guided by a firm grasp of technique, tone production and timing.

I’m also a firm believer in smart practice (quality over quantity). We will dive into unique ways to make the most of your practice time. Above all, this class is about helping you get more comfortable with your instrument so you are free to do the most important thing… have fun making music with others!

Kari Sickenberger

The Louvin Brothers took harmony singing to a new level.  They had a unique duet sound that had a profound effect on early country singing.  Originally a gospel act, the Louvins branched out in the 1950s to put out several secular hits as well.  Their skillful songwriting and musicianship, coupled with their very own close harmony innovations made these brothers' songs live on to this day, inspiring discriminating music lovers and singers - like us!  In this class, we will focus on one Louvin Brothers song each day, examining their singing styles and harmony parts and honing in on the tricks and talents that carried these two country boys from a poor Alabama farm to the Grand Ole Opry - and beyond.  If you love to sing with another person, this class is for you. We will sing A LOT! Optional reading material: Satan is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers by Charlie Louvin and Benjamin Whitmer

Lloyd Wright

Lloyd Wright has played and performed oldtime music for over 25 years.  He has roots that stretch from his home state of Texas to Madison County NC, getting his start right here in Mars Hill at BROTMW!  A multi-instrumentalist also comfortable on dulcimer, fiddle, banjo and guitar, Lloyd will be teaching mandolin this year.  His overall knowledge of old time music gives insight to his mandolin playing, and how to help it fit into the genre.  He’ll cover melody playing, as well as back up rhythms and chords, for this int/adv level group. 

Don Pedi

A fun and effective in-depth study of Old-Time Music for dulcimer.

Learn playing techniques for strumming and fingering that have proven most useful for playing Old-Time Music on the dulcimer. We'll apply these techniques to a number of traditional songs, tunes, and ballads. Included will be a variety of tunings as well as when and why to use them. Tab will be given for the music presented, however, ear training will be addressed and encouraged.

The class will begin with a brief History of the Dulcimer, complete with demonstrations on antique, vintage, and modern instruments to help deepen one's appreciation and understanding of the Old-Time Style of playing.

While this class will lean towards intermediate level players, adventurous beginners and advanced players seeking to add to their repertoire will find this class illuminating and entertaining.

For Intermediates and up as well as brave beginners.

Amy Buckingham

This class is open to all instruments, and will be focused on helping early intermediate players improve their skills in making music with others. We will learn how to listen, lead, follow, and work in both large and smaller ensembles throughout the week. We will discuss and learn how to learn tunes, and how to fill the role of our chosen instrument in the context of an ensemble. Your playing does not have to be at an intermediate/advanced level, but it is important that you have some command over your instrument, know how to tune it, and have at least a small handful of tunes in your back pocket.

Jason Cade & Rob McMaken (Hog-eyed Man)

Western North Carolina Traditional Music: Deep Roots in Four Counties

Join Hog-eyed Man's Jason Cade (fiddle & banjo) and Rob McMaken (lap dulcimer, mandolin, guitar & banjo-uke) to explore the rich old time music tradition of western North Carolina. We’ll focus on archaic and fun music from four neighboring counties—Madison, Buncombe, Yancey, and Mitchell—tracing a dozen or so tunes back to the local source musicians who played them in and around the very area where Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week takes place. Through this focused regional approach, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable depth and variety of traditional music within this beautiful corner of Appalachia. Beyond the great tunes and their stories, the class will delve into developing the skills that bring this music to life, with a focus on style, arrangement and attentive listening in various ensemble settings. All acoustic instruments welcome!

Howard Rains

A painting is a fiddle tune and the brush is a bow. In this class, we will be learning to paint in watercolor. We will be focusing  techniques and materials as well as drawing, composition, and overall conception. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never painted or if you’ve been painting your whole life. If you want to make art, this is your place. All materials provided (but you are welcome to bring your own). $20 materials fee.

Josh Goforth

Music Theory for the Trad Musician - Ever hear a tune and wonder why it’s so pleasing to your ear? Are you fascinated by harmony and chord progressions and want to understand the mechanics? Have you tried to learn theory before and just didn’t find it interesting in the least or way too difficult? Perhaps you are thinking, “Why do I need to learn music theory as an old time musician, shouldn’t it just come naturally?” Well if you are curious about any of these questions, this class is for you! We will explore the wonders of music theory both from an ear training and application standpoint using traditional music as our vehicle.

No experience or formal music training necessary! This is a good way to get pleasantly thrown into the deep end of music theory and ear training basics. This is my favorite subject to teach so at the very least, you’ll be entertained with good stories and a lot of enthusiasm.

Howard Rains

Howard will teach tunes from his deep well of fiddle tunes from Texas and Oklahoma. These are more archaic tunes than are generally thought to be from those states. Howard’s repertoire was learned from friends, family, mentors, and rare recordings of older generation fiddlers. This intermediate to advanced class will focus on jamming these tunes slowly and then bringing them up to speed. Bring a recording device and expect to have a lot of fun playing these old tunes. All instruments are welcome.

Em Hammond

Mapping the Bass - unlock a map of the bass that lets you play in any key, any time!

Matthew Sabatella

Explore the fascinating history of America's African instrument. Each day will focus on a different period through lecture and discussion with historic images, recordings, and live performance. The class will also learn to play one representative song or tune each day. Day 1: African Roots & Early Gourd Banjo, Day 2: Minstrelsy, Ragtime, and Jazz, Day 3: Old-Time Recordings of the 1920s and 30s, Day 4: Bluegrass and Beyond, Day 5: Black Banjo Renaissance and the Banjo Today.