Workshops at the 2008
Mountain Laurel
Autoharp Gathering
| BEGINNER LEVEL |
| Beginners' Boot Camp |
| Linda Huber |
|
Keys: TBD |
|
Description: Brand new to the autoharp or just beginning to play? Come to camp and get off to a good start with Linda's "basic training" course. After this session you will be ready to enjoy the other great workshops to be presented at MLAG. |
| Beginners' Help Sessions |
| Karen Daniels, every morning at 9am |
| Description: Having problems with tuning, felting, playing or anything else? Follow up on your introduction to the autoharp with Karen's daily sessions and play like a pro! |
| Introduction to Finger Picking Guitar |
| Wayne Long |
|
Key(s): N/A |
| Description: Have you ever wished you could play bass, rhythm and melody at the same time with your guitar? You can! Wayne will use fundamental chords (C, F, G7) to teach Elizabeth Cotton's classic “Freight Train.” This tune will open the door to the world of fingerpicking guitar. Tablature will be provided, as well as a list of related tunes to help start building your fingerstyle repertoire. |
| Christmas Songs in June |
| Tom Schroeder |
|
Key(s): D, G, C, or F |
| Description: Only six more months to learn how to accompany them in fun ways and buy my gift! Seasonal attire encouraged. |
| A “Live” Chromatic Lesson from AQ |
| Drew Smith |
|
Key(s): keys as found on chromatic harps, using majors, minors and sevenths. |
| Description: Drew Smith will cover things that all chromatic autoharp player should know. Simple formula for playing the scales, multiple use of SEVENTH chords, and how many kinds of music are benefited by the use of sevenths. |
| Kids Workshops |
| Ginny Reid |
| An introduction to the autoharp for children. Loaner 'harps 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. |
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| INTERMEDIATE LEVEL |
| Songs of the Ritchie Family |
| JERIMOTH HILL |
|
Key(s): D, Dm |
| Description: A repertoire workshop where Aubrey will give some background on Jean Ritchie and introduce a variety of songs she has learned over the years through her contact with Jean and other Ritchie family members. Heidi will lead everyone in playing these songs on the autoharp with Aubrey on mountain dulcimer, Elwood on guitar, and John on bass. |
| Percussive Playing |
Tom Schroeder |
| Key: D, G, C, or F |
Description: All the fun melody techniques where the strings are struck. We'll cover the four forms of Patting and the Harmonic Chime and all their applications in music arrangements. |
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| INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED LEVEL |
Demented Diminished Duel of Drew and Doug |
| Drew Smith |
| Key: chords and notes as found on chromatic harps, mostly in C and G. |
| Description: Many chromatic players love their diminished chords for playing tunes! Doug Pratt is one of them. Drew Smith has said, "I don't need no stinkin' demented chords!" and claims he doesn't need diminished chords for the same tunes. Each player will demonstrate how they play their tunes, and there will be a chance for the audience to question the players, request tunes, and perhaps demonstrate how they play with or without diminished chords. A friendly give-and-take. |
| Dancing to the Israeli Beat |
| Cindy Harris |
|
Keys: Chromatic |
| Description: There's a whole repertoire of Israeli dance tunes that have their own distinctive rhythm and harmonic structure and are great fun to play either solo or with other instruments. Bring a chromatic autoharp -- there's no telling when you'll need an "out of key" chord with this repertoire! Fiddles and clarinets also welcome. |
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| GENERAL INTEREST/ALL LEVELS |
| Three Stages of Tuning, Plus Extra Tricks to Get You in Immaculate Tune |
| Bryan Bowers |
|
Key: None |
| Description: |
| Don’t Discount Those Rhythm Chords for Simple Tunes: They’re Your Friends |
| Bryan Bowers |
|
Key: TBD |
| Description: |
| Contra Dancing Beginning Workshop |
|
Jerimoth Hill |
| Keys: D, Am |
| Description: Elwood will teach the steps necessary for beginning contra dances. Single dancers are welcome and no partner is necessary. For those autoharp players who prefer to play, come join Aubrey, John & Heidi in providing the music for the dancers. All levels of players are welcome, with beginning players providing rhythm accompaniment while more seasoned players will play the melody. |
| Playing without Picks |
| Eileen Kozloff |
| Keys: TBD |
| Description: Leave your picks behind and prepare to literally get in touch with your strings. This workshop will demonstrate the "bareback" method of playing while helping you negotiate direct contact with your beloved autoharp. Discover new-found sounds and add a new dimension to your playing while developing an appreciation for calluses! Seasoned ‘harpers come prepared with a tune/song that is already part of your repertoire. Beginners come with a tuned ‘harp and I’ll help you to explore this method. |
Thinking of Recording a CD? |
Eileen Kozloff |
Description: From concept to finished product, this workshop will guide you through the process of recording a CD in a studio with an engineer. Non-technical topics will focus on the planning, recording, duplication and distribution of your CD project. This session will arm you with practical information that you can use before, during, and after you’ve laid down the tracks. |
Amplifying your Autoharp |
Harvey Reid |
| Description: Understand the issues and options on how you can make your autoharp heard better on stage. All levels and styles of players have the same need to be heard, so all are welcome. We'll listen to as many mikes and pickups and gadgets as we can, and learn some of the tricks and techniques, do's and dont's. |
| Hidden Charms of the Chromatic Autoharp |
| Harvey Reid |
| Keys: TBD |
| Description: The popularity of the diatonic harp has caused many to forget how many things can be done only on a chromatic. Learn some ways to expand your techniques and repertoire, and make your music more interesting and diverse. |
| Autoharp and Old-Time Music: Alive in the Czech Republic |
| Martin Zak |
| Keys: TBD |
| Description: The autoharp is very rare in the Czech Republic and Central Europe. Martin will share his experiences there, where he plays autoharp and several other old-time instruments, from different banjos to mouthbow and bones, as a solo performer and in an old-time band. He performs for schools, concerts, and square dances. Martin also writes and publishes musical books and records traditional music. He likes to translate traditional American songs into Czech. He loves to play harmonica together with autoharp and do some dancing (shuffling) with his feet. |
| Practical Music Theory for Non-Music Readers |
| Craig Harrel |
| Keys: N/A |
Description: Emphasis on "practical." Topics covered will include: scales, the Nashville Numbering System, the Circle of Fifths, chord construction, and diatonic modes. The presentation format is specifically geared toward non-music readers, but music readers are also welcome. |
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Cindy Harris. |