LEGENDS OF ACOUSTIC BLUES GUITAR WORKSHOP SERIES
~ Starting January 2010~
A five week series of workshops focusing on the guitar playing of some of the finest blues players who ever lived. Each week we will look at 2-3 songs by each player and get familiar with their techniques, chord voicings, fingerpicking and phrasing. Participants should have knowledge of first position chords and be comfortable with some fingerpicking. TAB handouts and recordings will be provided.
When: January 20-February 17; 5 Wednesdays from 7-9pm.
Where: 5th String, 3051 Adeline st. Berkeley
Who: Taught by Pete Madsen
Price: $45 for each session, or 2 for $80, or all five for $165
WEEK 1; January 20...Robert Johnson
Considered by many to be the king of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson’s legacy is undeniable. Musicians from Eric Clapton to Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and more have played and been inspired by Johnson’s music. In particular we will be looking at Johnson’s chord voicings and slide playing. Songs: Come On In My Kitchen, Kind Hearted Woman.
WEEK 2 : January 27 Big Bill Broonzy
Broonzy is one of my favorites! His early songs from the late 1920s were great party-style barnburners! Later in his career he would address social injustices in songs like Black, White and Brown Blues. Songs: Hey, Hey, Saturday Night Rub.
WEEK 3: February 3 Mississippi John Hurt
John Hurt’s songs almost all had a lovely lyrical quality. His guitar playing was rooted in an alternating bass, utilizing mostly first position chords and had a beautiful melodic quality. Songs: Spike Driver Blues, Stag-O-Lee, Satisfied and Tickled Too.
WEEK 4: February 10 John Fahey
Technically speaking John Fahey was not strictly a blues artist. However, he employed many of the same devices, phrasing, chords and rhythms. We will explore some of his compositions in alternate tunings like Open D, Open G and Open C. Songs: Poor Boy Long Ways from Home, Sunflower RIver Blues, Desperate Man Blues.
WEEK 5: February 17 Blind Blake
Blake was the most technically gifted of the early blues players. His bass lines were works of art in themselves. His style is rooted in the Piedmont-style blues with an emphasis on ragtime. Songs: Diddie Wah Diddie, Police Dog Blues.
www.buzzyferets.com
e-mail: buzzyfrets@yahoo.com (510)708-8874
Slow Jam Sessions
Slow Jam Sessions
Slow Jam sessions on MONDAY NIGHTS hosted by John Kornhauser,
7PM-9:30PM, $10 per person, drop-in.
Please Note: the folks in the store cannot answer questions about the
Slow Jams or the Slow Jam class. Contact me directly if you're
interested or have questions. Thanks…
Ran Bush
510 525 8156
ranbush@gmail.com