Workshops

DORIS’ BASS WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS
Anyone who plays the bass can show someone what strings to pluck or where to place the left hand, but I want you to know the how and why of bass playing; then tie together all the pieces of the musical puzzle. You will learn the importance of the bass players role in a band situation or just jamming with others. The day will consist of the following:
· Bass basics.
· Foot tapping/string damping.
· Standard chord progressions.
· Rhythm exercises
· Bass runs.
· Passing tones.
· The flavoring of notes.
· The different keys.
· Nashville Number System.
· Ear training exercises.
· Practice time.
· One on one assistance.
It would be helpful to bring a tape recorder. Also, please bring note taking materials. There will be several hand-out information sheets given, and it is absolutely necessary to have an acoustic upright bass to bring to the class. Questions? Call me at 727-385-9087 or email doris715@aol.com
BASSically yours,
Doris Sotirellis

WHAT EVERY GUITAR PLAYER SHOULD KNOW
INTENSIVE ALL DAY WORKSHOP FOR GUITAR PLAYERS taught by BILL HANSEN
(PARTNER IN NATIONAL TOURING DUO Clearwater Connection)

During my seventeen years as former artist/teacher, and faculty co-chairman of the Old Town School of Folk Music, in Chicago, Illinois, I developed, and taught this special workshop on a regular basis. Over the years, I incorporated many additional topics and material, and the course gradually evolved into an all day event. It is NOT a course in reading music. It IS a course that will teach you how music “works” and how to relate this knowledge directly to your guitar, regardless of what kind of music you play. “What Every Guitar Player Should Know” is not for new beginners, since the knowledge of basic chords is a pre-requisite. Guitar players as well as songwriters will find the content of this workshop particularly useful by being introduced to the tools that will help create more imaginative melodies and chord structures for lyrics or compositions. Because of the intensive nature of this workshop, class size is intentionally kept to a maximum of twenty students. This will allow time for one-on-one help. You will also receive my packet of related materials for future reference. Below is a partial list of topics to be covered during the all day event.
· How to find any chord, anywhere on the guitar.
· How to use chord substitutions.
· How to transpose.
· The elements of timing.
· Thinking and playing up the neck.
· How to “find” simple melodies on the higher frets.
· Chord inversions and “color” chords.
· Syncopation and accenting.
· How to modulate.
· Useful strumming and rhythm patterns.
· Correcting time and meter problems.
· Movable scale positions.
· Understanding “pick-up notes”
· How to “count-off” a tune.
· The Nashville Number System.
· Jam etiquette.
Ear training exercises and much more……
If you feel your playing, or creating breaks and melodies to your songs has reached a plateau despite regular practice, or feel hobbled by the lack of an understanding of “how music works,” you need to invest one day of your time to get the answers you need to “fill in the blanks.” Be sure to bring writing material and a small tape recorder. A guitar stand would be useful if you have one. Questions? Call me at 828-686-8722 or e-mail me at: hansenb@bellsouth.net
CHORDially,
Bill Hansen