We will be posting the 2011 listing when we finalize it in the Spring of 2011
In the meantime, the 2010 listing will give you an idea idea of what sort of activities you can expect in 2011!
Workshops at the 2010
Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering
We are really excited about our range of topics this year! This list generally goes from beginner to advanced level, with some “all level” workshops at the end, and more information to come. Have fun exploring them! In addition to these more formal workshops, several of the featured performers will be doing "Hand to Hand" hours where you can get to know them more personally and ask questions about their playing techniques or their musical journeys.
“Boot Camp for Beginners” – John & Heidi Cerrigione – beg
Come and join us for an introduction to playing the autoharp. This 3-hour workshop, held on Wednesday afternoon, is for new players and for those who play a little and might want to brush up on the basics. We will cover picks, right and left hand technique, 4/4 and 3/4 timing, playing in a group, how to learn a song, playing by ear, and how to practice. Unsure about common autoharp terms such as chromatic, diatonic, open chording, etc.? Come with any questions. Time permitting, we will talk about autoharp setup and tuning, and some maintenance that you can do yourself to keep your instrument in good playing shape. Hope to see you there!
“Beyond Boot Camp – Staying on Track” – Karen Daniels – beg and up
These workshops are 9 a.m. sessions and are student-directed with workshops included. They are designed to help participants receive answers to questions they may have regarding whatever they may not have understood in other workshops. Of the more than 25 workshops that Karen has prepared and taught, she brings many of the quality handouts, so that, depending upon the direction of the questions and which direction the students choose to go, the sessions wind up being mini-workshops exploring any one of a number of topics. Come join us in the mornings and learn – FOR ALL LEVELS. Questions from beginners ANY TIME especially welcome. We are there for YOU!
“Kids’ Workshops – Get Started Off Right!” – Vicki Lehman
An introduction to the autoharp for children. Loaner 'harps will be available, including smaller ones for younger children. Adult beginners (and observers) also are welcome, but the tunes will be nursery rhymes and familiar children's songs.
“Girl from the North Country Fair” – Bob Fish – beg – G
You’ll enjoy playing and singing this Bob Dylan song, while learning Bob’s great rhythm style and more about those great I-IV-V progressions.
“Come to the ‘Sweet Sunny South’ “ – Judie Pagter – beg/adv beg – C
Enjoy playing this classic old country song, and learn some tips for using your autoharp as backup while you sing or play in a band.
“Teach Your Autoharp to Sing with You!” – Drew Smith – beg/int – C, G, D
Here is a new approach that will help you play melodies by ear! Based on playing scales, and singing out the notes using numbers, then applying selected notes of the scale to playing the notes of a song you will sing using simple tunes.
“Learn the Tune ‘Apache’”– Judie Pagter – adv beg/int – D
This rockin’ instrumental was recorded in the early ‘60s by the Ventures and lends itself well to autoharp! Its harmonies move back and forth between minor and major, making it a really interesting tune to try.
“Adding Dynamics” – Heidi & John Cerrigione – adv beg/int – key NA
This session will focus on strumming or picking strongly and then softly; using the whole range of strings on the autoharp; and choosing an accompaniment style that suits the song or tune.
"Dancing in the Key of G" - Carole Outwater - adv Beg/int - G
Building a repertoire of rhythmic songs for dancers is fun, especially when they are about dancing and ending the evening with a cup of hot coffee. With a boogie, a blues, and a couple of songs in waltz time, we'll work with some tasteful rhythm backup options for our vocals. The more advanced among us may practice some short lead instrumentals.
“I Hear a Melody” – Ivan Stiles – int – F, C, G (chromatic)
Learn the basics of melody playing by focusing on strokes vital to the process.
“Playing with a Band” – Lindsay Haisley – int –
Techniques are taught for lead and backup playing and for using musical dynamics. Skills of listening and blending with other musicians will be covered. Emphasis will be on folk and country music ensemble styles. This is a two-session workshop. The first session will consist of instruction and discussion. In the second session, each student is encouraged to arrange and play a single piece of his or her choosing with a small ensemble of other musicians.
“Autoharp for Added Value: Using Autoharp to Contribute to a Mixed Instrumental Session” – Nadine & Ian White – int – G and D
Get Nadine's viewpoint from “behind the autoharp” and also Ian's perspective from “out in front,” as he and his melodeon stand in for the other instruments in a session. The autoharp is not a common instrument in Irish Traditional Music. But an autoharper can make unique contributions to the “group sound” amongst whistles, fiddles, squeezeboxes, etc., by filling in and supporting the mix of instruments, the melody line and the rhythm.
“Play a Tune from AQ’s ‘The Diatonic Corner’” – Lucille Reilly – int – G & D diatonic
Our goal is to play one or two tunes slowly with the hope of gradually working up to near jamming speed. Along the way, we’ll look at efficient fingering, chording, just why is THAT chord there, and more. Equipment: Tuned diatonic autoharp(s) in G and/or D, one thumb pick, three fingerpicks.
“Non-Folk Tunes on the Autoharp” – Lindsay Haisley – int/adv – chromatic
Explore the use of the autoharp with songs outside its “standard” repertoire. After a short discussion of the problems and opportunities presented by a variety of musical genres, the class will work through several tunes from the rock, jazz, and popular repertoires. A chromatic autoharp is needed.
“Open Up Your Harp (or Put a Damper On It!)” – Rick Fitzgerald – int/adv – D or any single-key or multi-key diatonic ‘harp with lockbars
How to get started with open noting techniques for melodies and fill. Requires a single-key or multi-key diatonic autoharp with lockbars. Students should be comfortable with finger picking and playing scales. We will play two tunes using a technique that starts simply and develops accuracy – using one finger and the thumb.
“The Liberated Thumb: Filling in the Gaps” – Rick Fitzgerald – int/adv – any diatonic with lockbars
The thumb has often been relegated to the role of oinking out “oom-pah” bass notes or as a harnessed follower in “pinch-pluck” picking styles. This class looks at my technique for adding interest to a tune using open-noted runs, where the thumb takes an active role in both melody and accompanying parts. This technique, which guitarist Leo Kottke calls the “liberated thumb,” can be used to paint parallel or interweaving accompaniment behind your solo tune.
“Advanced Strokes” – Ivan Stiles – adv. – F, G, Am (chromatic)
Explore the strokes and strums that will make them wonder, “How’d you do that?!” Learn hammering on, drag notes, open chording, thumb lead, and more.
“Care and Feeding of the Autoharp” – Chuck Daniels – all – key NA
Chuck is a valued perennial presence at Mountain Laurel in the vending area. In this workshop, he will demonstrate changing strings, felts, improving the action, and all the things to look for in buying used units. Come see how to “do it yourself!”
“Mysterious Modal Melodies” – Linda Huber –int/adv, but all are welcome – D
The tunes will be in A mixolydian and E dorian, which can be played on an autoharp having the key of D. These tunes have strange and wonderful sounds. We will learn one in each key, and more if time allows. Concentration will be on the tunes and just enough theory to promote understanding.
“An Hour with Dale Jett” – Dale Jett – all – key NA
Dale Jett is the son of Janette Carter and the grandson of A.P. and Sara Carter, and we are honored to have him this year as a performer. Come get to know him and hear his stories of growing up in one of the first families of country music.
“Copyright Issues” – Scott Landis – all – key NA
Attorney Scott Landis specializes in trademark and copyright law. He’ll give a two-part workshop focusing on several issues and questions that always seem to crop up where musicians are concerned.
Part One: “They Stole My Idea -- and other Fundamentals and Myths About Copyright Protection.” An introductory look at how copyright is obtained, protected, and enforced.
Part Two: “The Two-Edged Sword -- Is Copyright Helping or Hurting Artists and Their Creativity?” A discussion of advanced topics in copyright including infringement and fair use, licensing, moral rights, and other legal and ethical issues surrounding copyright protection.