Old-Time is a Good Time

Sat. 5/14 11:00am – 7:00pm:

Nomad Studios, 1993 Blake Ave 90039

$15 for the day (workshops & dance included)

11:00am-12:00pm – Shape Note Singing with Jessica Catron: Shape note singing is a uniquely American tradition dating back to the late 18th century that brings communities together to sing polyphonic hymns and anthems. It is a proudly inclusive and democratic part of our shared cultural heritage, designed to facilitate congregational singing. You are invited to come learn as well as participate in this unique, alternative musical language. No prior singing experience or musical knowledge is necessary. The music is easy, the sound is joyously resonant, and all voices and ages are welcome — a willingness to sing is the only requirement! Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

12:00-1:00pm – Beginning Old Time Fiddle with Ben Guzman: In this workshop Ben will teach two to three tunes. These tunes will focus on bowing and tunings. This is an entry level workshop for players who are just starting out on Old Time fiddle. Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

12:30-1:30pm – Harmony Singing with Evie Ladin: Using Carter Family songs as a jumping off place, we will work with simple three part harmony in this beautiful style. Finding harmony lines that sometimes weave around the melody, sometimes cross or create unisons, students will develop a better ability to hear and find parts, as well as learn what gives these harmonies their particular old-time country sound, and power. Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

1:00-2:00pm – Beginning Old Time Guitar with Kelly Marie Martin: Come learn the basics of Old Time guitar accompaniment for backing up fiddle and banjo tunes. We will cover basic chord structure for various keys, the boom chuck rhythmn stroke and, if there’s time, the other fun way of playing Old Time guitar–backing yourself up in song! There will be handouts about the information given out, a recording device might be handy. Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

2:00-3:00pm – Claw Hammer Banjo with Evie Ladin: Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

Lee Triplett Fiddle Tunes with Joe Wack: We’re going to learn two tunes by the West virginia fiddler Lee Triplett [no relation to Jimmy]. The tunes are Lee’s interesting version of Shortening Bread, and his Little Dog. The first is quick and bouncy, and has a minor feel in the B part. Little Dog is modal, with a simple yet driving melody line. Both tunes employ use of the little finger, and are in standard GDAE tuning. Little Dog, in particular, runs over all four strings. Unless you are a quick study, it would be useful to bring along a recording device. Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

Joe Wack started playing old time music in W. Va. in the early 70′s. He plays in several dance bands in the LA area, and hosts the 4th Saturday Appalachian Jam at the Audubon Center in Debs Park. Although a fan of many kinds of music, he most enjoys playing fiddle tunes from central W. Va.

3:30-4:30pm – Flatfooting Basics with Ruth Alpert: Learn the basics of Appalachian freestyle foot percussion. It’s aerobic! It’s easy! It’s fun! Shoes: leather soles are best, with a flat or chunky heel, but worn out rubber soles work well, too. You need to be able to slide, and have equal weight on ball and heel of foot.

Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

4:00-5:00pm – Kentucky Fiddle Tunes of Jim Bowles with David Bragger: David will be teaching a fiddle workshop focusing on Kentucky tunes from master fiddler Jim Bowles. The workshop will address the bow rhythms, tunings and bluesy quirks that make his tunes so infectiously cool! This workshop is open to all levels. It only assumes that you know your way around the fiddle in the most basic sense. After the workshop, I will email you a recorded file of the workshop tunes played fast and slow with bowing instruction and variations!! Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

David Bragger teaches traditional fiddle and banjo to students of all ages and levels in person and online. He teaches music by ear, so no musical background is necessary! His students have won awards at festivals from Topanga Fiddle Banjo Festival to Galax, Virginia. You’ll be learning technique, bowings, and styles of traditional Appalachian musicians so you can play at local jam sessions, bang away on your front porch, or saw like mad at local festivals and contests. For lessons, call David at 818-324-6123 or email him at davidbragger@yahoo.com.

5:00-6:00pm – Dock Boggs Style Banjo with Chris Berry: Chris will demonstrate the old-time three-finger banjo styles and diverse tunings of Dock Boggs, plus teach a couple of his tunes in detail. No tab, but bring a tape recorder (and a tuner might be handy, too). Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.